What causes UTI and how to prevent it

People who have difficulty urinating and are experiencing hip pain may have urinary tract infection or UTI.

This past weekend's episode of "Pinoy MD" discussed what causes UTI.

According to Dr. Reginald Gozon Bautista, a urologist, UTI is an infection in any part of the urinari tract such as kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, or urethra. This is caused by a microbe such as E. coli.

While men aged 50 and up usually contract UTI, the infection is more common among women.

According to Bautista, this is because the reproductive tract of women is closer to the rectum, where waste would sometimes reach the urinary tract.

He also noted that UTI is common among women because of the shorter urinary tract of females, which makes it more susceptible to microbes such as E. coli.

UTI can be chronic or recurrent if it keeps coming back. This happens if the infection is not treated completely. Anatomical problems such as kidney stones can also cause recurrent UTI.

The infection could also become resistant to antibiotics.

According to Bautista, there are cases of "complicated UTI," which do not respond to treatment with common antibiotics.

These infections, he said, have spread to the blood, a condition called bacteremia or septicemia. In these cases, more powerful antibiotics are needed.

There are myths that buko juice can help treat UTI. But while it could help patients pee more freely, it is not a cure for the infection.

To prevent recurrent UTI, just follow these tips:

1. Don't hold in your pee.

2. Drink two to three liters of water daily. Diuretics such as buko juice and cranberry juice may also help.

3. Avoid salty foods.

4. Use cotton underwear so there's enough air to prevent bacterial growth.

5. For sexually active individuals, use a lubricant during sex and urinate immediately after sexual contact.

6. Undergo regular ultrasound and Pap smear.

—JST/KVD, GMA News