Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are like uninvited guests at a never-ending party – persistent, uncomfortable, and oh-so-common. It’s a health woe that’s not often talked about openly, and even though UTIs are a widespread issue, it seems we’re still missing the memo on how to deal with them effectively as a community.

Like so many health issues, the key to managing UTIs largely lies in preventing them. Simply put, an infection is when pesky pathogens like bacteria, viruses, or fungi decide to crash the body’s party. In the case of UTIs, culprits behind the infection can be varied: think sexual intercourse, backed-up bowels, postponing restroom breaks, dehydration, feminine products, and more. And hey, let’s be honest, these things aren’t always easy to avoid. While these causes may seem diverse, they all share a common thread – they expose your urinary tract to those sneaky bacteria, whether they’re your own or from the outside world. For instance, sexual intercourse introduces foreign bacteria, and holding in your urine becomes a playground for bladder bacteria to multiply.

Now, for many folks, nailing down the exact source of their UTI can be like trying to finish a puzzle with missing pieces. But no worries, even in the midst of such confusion, the key here is “bacterial awareness.” In the wake of a global pandemic, we’ve all become well-versed in preventive measures against infections. These same principles apply to UTIs. Understanding the nature of bacteria in our bodies and the importance of regularly flushing it out through hydration and proper restroom visits is key. So is maintaining sanitary practices before introducing anything foreign into your body.

Consider nursing homes, for instance. Many of their patients require catheters, which means inserting a plastic tube into the urethra to drain urine. It sounds like an express lane for UTIs, right? But when done right, it’s surprisingly safe. Sanitizing hands, using multiple intermittent catheters instead of a single foley catheter all day – these practices prevent external bacteria from making an unwelcome entrance and internal bacteria from throwing a party.

Now, bacterial awareness isn’t a silver bullet for curing these complex infections (unfortunately), but it does offer a roadmap for basic prevention. When dealing with the tricky beast that is the UTI, it’s crucial to educate yourself about the causes and prevention, and, most importantly, incorporate these habits into your day to day. These simple daily routines can be your go-to shield against those irritating, painful, and inconvenient UTI’s.

By now, you’ve got the lowdown on UTIs and how to keep those pesky infections at bay with simple daily practices. But we get it, sometimes finding the right source for education and best practices can be tricky, especially when it comes to seeing healthcare professionals.

That’s where CathetersPLUS comes into play; a company dedicated to providing the essential products and education to patients dealing with not only UTIs, but all urological complications. They cover a wide range of urology products, and have a team of dedicated nurses who are just a phone call or virtual chat away. Their goal is to educate patients on the best practices for all products and complications, including top-tier infection prevention and guidance on when to see a doctor.

CathetersPLUS provides you with the resources you need to make your life easier, so you can focus on the more important things in life. 

To learn more about CathetersPLUS and how we can help, visit the website or call 1-877-563-7422.