Friday, June 06, 2008

Health Tips for June 6

Health Tip: Prevent Urinary Tract Infections in Women

A urinary tract infection may have symptoms including painful and frequent urination, cloudy urine, pressure in the lower belly and fever.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these suggestions for women to help prevent these infections:

* Always urinate when you feel the urge. Don't wait too long.
* Always urinate before and after sex.
* After urinating, always wipe from front to back.
* Thoroughly clean the genitals every day.
* Avoid douching or using a feminine spray.
* Wear underwear with a cotton crotch.
* If you tend to get UTIs, talk to your doctor about what's causing them.

Health Tip: Painful Urination

Pain while urinating often indicates an infection -- usually in the urinary tract. However, it can also be caused by other conditions, and should always be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

Here are possible causes of painful urination, courtesy of the U.S. National Library of Medicine:

* A urinary tract infection (UTI).
* Gonorrhea or chlamydia, both of which can cause inflammation of the urethra.
* An inflamed prostate.
* Chronic inflammation of the wall of the bladder.
* Inflammation of the vagina.
* Inflammation of the vulva.

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