Hot weather can lead to serious impacts to urinary health and dehydration can be the main reason which is due to the lack of fluid content in the body. Being under the sun during a heated summer can lead to fluid loss. Dehydration causes minimal urine production that allows bacteria to increase which results in urinary tract infections (UTIs) along with other urinary infections. UTIs affect both the kidney and uterus and cause burning sensations together with itching in the bladder and urethra.
“UTIs are more commonly found in women, approximately 60 percent of women and 12 percent of men experience it. More than 8 Million people are treated for UTIs, and the number spikes higher in summer. On an average, there has been a 20-30% increase in the number of UTI diseases compared to cold weathers, especially among women,” shares Dr Ravi Kesari, MD General Medicine, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Bangalore.
Look out for the signs to avoid UTIs. A burning sensation while urinating, a strong smell, the presence of blood in the urine and pelvic pain or pressure in the lower abdomen.
What is the link between dehydration and urinary health?
Continuous fluid intakes can dilute the concentrated urine, prevent the bacteria from sticking to the walls and ensure proper urination. The bacteria will be flushed out from the urinary tract and will also avoid generating more bacteria. It can also aid in reducing any kind of burning and irritation.
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Proper hydration, especially in the summer, is required to avoid urinary health issues. Here are some suggestions by Dr Kesari:
- Drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day can help in preventing UTIs.
- Make sure to carry bottled water whenever going out during summer.
- Increase the consumption of water frequently, even when not feeling thirsty at all. When dehydrated, the urine produced will be more concentrated.
- Along with water, consuming other fluids like cranberry juice, green tea and hibiscus tea as well as pro-biotic foods like yoghurt along with kefir, which is a fermented milk beverage and also kombucha. These items contain properties that maintain urinary health and also prevent bacterial growth.
- Consumption of caffeine, alcohol and excess sugar can highly dehydrate the body.
- Increase the intake of fruits and vegetables like watermelon, orange and cucumber which are rich in fluids. These contain D-mannose which is a supplement that helps in preventing UTIs.
Other helpful tips
- Avoid holding in the urine for extended periods to prevent the growth of multiple bacteria.
- Try preventing the use of wet clothes or staying in one for longer periods.
- Take a bath immediately after swimming at beaches or swimming pools.
- Maintaining good hygiene also highly contributes to preventing issues, make sure to properly wipe the private areas after using the restroom.
- Increase the use of cotton undergarments to avoid attracting excess moisture.
- Use unscented soaps in the genital area as the scented ones can change the natural balance of bacteria.
- Urinate right after a sexual intercourse, as the genital area will be exposed to bacteria from the partners’ genital area.
UTIs diagnosed for more than three times a year should not be considered as an avoidable issue. Seek help from a urologist and go through the required tests to confirm that there are no risk factors.
Final Word
Other than dehydration, UTIs can also strongly increase by spending more time in parks, beaches and swimming pools. Activities that involve swimming can lead to wearing wet clothes for quite long, which can lead to the growth of bacteria near the urethra. Not urinating for every 3-4 hour breaks, especially while travelling can double the amount of bacteria being generated in the bladder.