Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) & bladder discomfort: What you need to know
Dealing with urinary symptoms like burning, frequency and urgency, even if only a few drops can be uncomfortable and put a serious damper on your day!
Bladder infections are common, especially amongst women. Research suggests that at least 40 to 60 percent of women will develop a urinary tract infection or UTI in their lifetime and most of these are bladder infections. In addition, 1 in 4 women are likely to have a repeat infection.1
Most bladder infections occur suddenly and unexpectedly.2
What causes urinary tract infections?
Bladder infections are most often caused by the spread and growth of harmful germs or “superbugs” usually bacteria called Escherichia Coli (E. coli), which is naturally present in the body, either exchanged between people, within the body or contaminated water, pieces of equipment, and personal items.2
Females are particularly at risk of getting a UTI and re-infection not only because their urethra is near their anus but because their urethra is just one centimetre long, which makes it easy and quick for the normal bacteria that live in the gut, vagina or anal area to reach the bladder, urethra, or kidneys and starts to multiply.2
What else can put you at risk of getting a urinary tract infection?1,2
Women & girl-child
- Female anatomy
- Using scented products including bath soaps, foam bath, sanitary pads or tampons
- Douching
- Improper genital hygiene practises e.g., wiping from back to front, irregular washing of genitals, delayed change of sanitary pads, tampons or underwear
- Wearing certain underwear e.g., G-string, thongs, lace, silk or satin
- Some forms of birth control e.g., diaphragms & spermicides
- Menopause
Men & boy-child
- An enlarged prostate
- Lack of circumcision
- Improper genital hygiene practises e.g., use of unclean hands, wearing dirty or wet underwear
Other common triggers
- Dehydration or inadequate water intake
- Poor urination habits e.g., “holding-in” urine and straining
- Constipation
- Advancing age
- Excessive sugar intake
- Being sexually active
- Had a UTI in the past
- Have trouble emptying bladder
What else can put you at risk of getting a urinary tract infection?1,2
Certain lifestyle changes can reduce or eliminate the occurrence of symptoms:
- Drink six to eight glasses of water a day
- Urinate as soon as you feel the need
- Wipe from front to back after urinating if you’re female
- Avoid using douches, scented soaps, hygiene sprays or powders
- Take showers instead of baths
- Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes
When you experience symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency & burning try Nativa Complex® Bladder Fizzy, a delicious fizzy drink enriched with high potency Cranberry extract and D-Mannose which work together to offer relief.
If you experience bladder discomfort often, try Nativa Complex® Bladder Support, a dual-action remedy of Cranberry and Hibiscus extract that supports urinary tract health, bladder comfort and daily bladder functions.
References:
- NIH. Definition & Facts of Bladder Infection in Adults. 2017 Mar. [Cited 2023 Jul 31]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults/definition-facts
- The Healthline Team. What Is a Bladder Infection? 2022 Feb 8. [Cited 31 Jul 2023]. Available from: https://www.healthline.com/health/bladder-infection