UTI or urinary tract infection is a condition that can have a negative and long-lasting effect on your daily life. It is more common in women than in men. Did you know that over 6 million patients in the United States every year visit their physician for a UTI complaint? Luckily, following a healthy lifestyle and some crucial dos and don’ts can aid in keeping this condition at bay. Here are some top lifestyle tips for UTI that you can follow to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of the condition.

• Drink plenty of water:  This is one of the most important lifestyle tips for UTI. The disease is an infection in the urinary tract. It can be in the bladder, the urethra, or the kidneys. Drinking a lot of water helps flush out the toxins from these parts, and water also regularizes the pH level of your genitals, thereby reducing the chance of recurrent infections.
• Minimize sugar consumption:  Microbes love sugar and grow faster in an environment filled with this ingredient. This is why people with high blood sugars are at an increased risk of developing recurrent UTIs. Therefore, another major lifestyle tip for UTI prevention is to minimize your sugar intake. High blood sugar levels can weaken the immune system, resulting in the body being more vulnerable to infections.
• Do not control your pee:  How many times have you controlled your pee because you did not find the toilet clean, or forgotten to go to the toilet when you were busy with work? Holding back your urine is a major reason for the development of microbes in the urinary tract. It is vital to make sure you pee at regular intervals every day.
• Prevent using diaphragms as birth control methods:  Women who use diaphragms as a birth control method are at a higher risk of developing UTIs. Talk to your gynecologist about other safer options.
• Wash and pee after sex:  Another vital lifestyle tip that many women ignore is washing after sex. Good hygiene is very important to prevent the growth of bacteria in your urinary tract. Make the practice of washing your genitals with warm water after sex. Use a pH-balanced mild soap if needed. It is also important that you pee after sex as well.
• Wear comfortable clothing:  The use of poor-quality, tight underwear made of synthetic fabric can also be a cause for developing UTIs. Choose cotton underwear that is washed in a gentle detergent. You should also avoid constantly wearing tight pants that can prevent proper airflow to your genitals.
• Eat yogurt:  Yogurt has probiotic bacteria that help in preventing bad bacteria from growing in the body. Consuming yogurt regularly aids in preventing the occurrence of UTIs.

All these lifestyle tips for UTI are to be followed regularly to prevent the risks of developing the condition. You should get your blood glucose levels tested if you keep finding yourself with recurrent UTIs. Good hygiene and a stress-free lifestyle are a time-tested method to beat the condition.