Urinary tract infections most often affect women, in fact The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates women are 10 times more likely to experience an urinary tract infection than men. Being female, sexually active and taking certain types of birth control pills can increase your chances of developing a UTI. In addition, your diet, including soda intake, can have an impact during a UTI.
Urinary Tract Infection
UTIs are a bacterial infection of your urinary tract. Your urinary system in composed of your kidneys, bladder, urethers and urethra. Any portion of your urinary system can be affected. MayoClinic.com indicates the bladder and urethra, the lower portions of your urinary system, are most commonly affected. Urinary tract infections need to be treated by a doctor. A physical examination and urine sample can help diagnose this condition. Antibiotics are the common course of treatment for UTIs. Left untreated, UTIs can spread into your kidneys.
UTI Symptoms
There are a number of indicators of urinary tract infections. Pain and burning while urinating, the frequent urge to urinate and passing small amounts of urine when you do urinate are amongst UTI symptoms. Your urine may appear cloud, bright pink or a dark, soda-like color. Pink and dark urine are indicators of blood in your urine. You may also notice a strong smell to your urine. Pelvic pain in women and rectal pain in men are also indicators of UTIs, as are nausea, chills, vomiting or a fever.
Soda Intake
MayoClinic.com recommends avoiding beverages that can irritate your bladder. Drinking soda can irritate your bladder and make your symptoms more prominent. The caffeine found in may sodas can increase your need to urinate causing you to experience more pain and burning. Sodas with citrus flavors should also be avoided. The carbonation of sodas can also irritate the lining of your bladder. If you do plan on drinking soda with UTIs, stick with caffeine-free products and you can resume drinking soda once your urinary tract infection has cleared.
Fluid Intake
The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends consuming plenty of fluids, especially water, cranberry juice and other clear, caffeine-free and non-carbonated beverages. Drink six to eight glasses of filtered water per day while undergoing treatment for UTIs. Drinking plenty of clear fluids can help to flush the bacteria out of your urinary system by means of urination. Additionally, cranberry juice is a powerful antioxidant that can help prevent bacteria from sticking to the lining of your bladder.
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