There are are a few simple habits you can adopt that may reduce the risk of problems developing in your urinary tract, includingurinary tract infections,kidney stones, and chronic UTIs.
1Stay hydratedKicka Witte/Design Pics/Getty ImagesMost healthy people should drink at least eight 8 oz glasses of water over the course of the day. The water you drink gets filtered through your kidneys and then collects in your bladder until you feel the urge to urinate.When you don’t drink enough water the urine in the bladder can become concentrated, which can lead to strong smells or irritate the bladder and make you go more often. The concentrated urine can cause burning when you urinate, and increase your risk of bladder infections or kidney stones.People who are prone to infections or kidney stones may benefit from drinking 10 to 12 glasses of water a day. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any heart or kidney issues; in this case, drinking too much water might not be advised.
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Stay hydratedKicka Witte/Design Pics/Getty ImagesMost healthy people should drink at least eight 8 oz glasses of water over the course of the day. The water you drink gets filtered through your kidneys and then collects in your bladder until you feel the urge to urinate.When you don’t drink enough water the urine in the bladder can become concentrated, which can lead to strong smells or irritate the bladder and make you go more often. The concentrated urine can cause burning when you urinate, and increase your risk of bladder infections or kidney stones.People who are prone to infections or kidney stones may benefit from drinking 10 to 12 glasses of water a day. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any heart or kidney issues; in this case, drinking too much water might not be advised.
Stay hydrated
Kicka Witte/Design Pics/Getty Images
Most healthy people should drink at least eight 8 oz glasses of water over the course of the day. The water you drink gets filtered through your kidneys and then collects in your bladder until you feel the urge to urinate.
When you don’t drink enough water the urine in the bladder can become concentrated, which can lead to strong smells or irritate the bladder and make you go more often. The concentrated urine can cause burning when you urinate, and increase your risk of bladder infections or kidney stones.
People who are prone to infections or kidney stones may benefit from drinking 10 to 12 glasses of water a day. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any heart or kidney issues; in this case, drinking too much water might not be advised.
2Go Easy on the Salt (Which Makes You Retain Water)skhoward / Getty ImagesToo muchsaltin your diet keeps the salt/mineral/water balance in your kidneys off-kilter. A high-sodium diet has been associated with elevated blood pressure. Long-term, uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to kidney damage. A high-salt diet may also contribute to the development of kidney stones. In fact, many people think that calcium stones are the result of eating too much calcium.Paying attention to sodium labels on processed foods and reducing intake of canned soups and vegetables, luncheon meats, hot dogs, and sausages, may help you lower your risk for developing calcium-based kidney stones.According to theDietary Guidelines, Americans should consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. The average is much higher, with many people consuming more than 3,400 mg each day.Most of this salt is hidden in foods such as canned soups, processed meats, hot dogs, chips, and cereal.
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Go Easy on the Salt (Which Makes You Retain Water)skhoward / Getty ImagesToo muchsaltin your diet keeps the salt/mineral/water balance in your kidneys off-kilter. A high-sodium diet has been associated with elevated blood pressure. Long-term, uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to kidney damage. A high-salt diet may also contribute to the development of kidney stones. In fact, many people think that calcium stones are the result of eating too much calcium.Paying attention to sodium labels on processed foods and reducing intake of canned soups and vegetables, luncheon meats, hot dogs, and sausages, may help you lower your risk for developing calcium-based kidney stones.According to theDietary Guidelines, Americans should consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. The average is much higher, with many people consuming more than 3,400 mg each day.Most of this salt is hidden in foods such as canned soups, processed meats, hot dogs, chips, and cereal.
Go Easy on the Salt (Which Makes You Retain Water)
skhoward / Getty Images
Too muchsaltin your diet keeps the salt/mineral/water balance in your kidneys off-kilter. A high-sodium diet has been associated with elevated blood pressure. Long-term, uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to kidney damage. A high-salt diet may also contribute to the development of kidney stones. In fact, many people think that calcium stones are the result of eating too much calcium.
Paying attention to sodium labels on processed foods and reducing intake of canned soups and vegetables, luncheon meats, hot dogs, and sausages, may help you lower your risk for developing calcium-based kidney stones.
According to theDietary Guidelines, Americans should consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. The average is much higher, with many people consuming more than 3,400 mg each day.Most of this salt is hidden in foods such as canned soups, processed meats, hot dogs, chips, and cereal.
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Consider Reducing your Caffeine Intake
GMVozd / Getty Images
Too much caffeine can also result in dehydration, which can increase your risk of kidney stones, bladder infections, and other problems. There is some evidence that women withinterstitial cystitis, also known as IC, should avoid caffeine.
4Drink Extra Water When Exposed to Sun or During ExerciseErik Isakson / Getty ImagesYou lose water through perspiration on hot, sunny days and when you are doing aerobic activities. As a result, you need more water than you would ordinarily if you are sedentary.
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Drink Extra Water When Exposed to Sun or During ExerciseErik Isakson / Getty ImagesYou lose water through perspiration on hot, sunny days and when you are doing aerobic activities. As a result, you need more water than you would ordinarily if you are sedentary.
Drink Extra Water When Exposed to Sun or During Exercise
Erik Isakson / Getty Images
You lose water through perspiration on hot, sunny days and when you are doing aerobic activities. As a result, you need more water than you would ordinarily if you are sedentary.
5Urinate and Clean Yourself Before and After SexMichael Poehlman / Getty ImagesBacteria can travel up into the urinary tract during sex, increasing your risk ofurinary tract infections.Urinating shortly after sexand wiping yourself has been shown to reduce the odds you will develop an infection.Urinary tract infections occur more often in women after sex in women because they have shorter urethras than men. That makes it easy for bacteria to go up into the urinary tract (but not every woman gets infections).Though rare, men can get urinary tract infections too and they can transmit pathogens to women as well. The groin is a major source of bacteria so men should clean their groin area as part ofgood personal hygiene.
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Urinate and Clean Yourself Before and After SexMichael Poehlman / Getty ImagesBacteria can travel up into the urinary tract during sex, increasing your risk ofurinary tract infections.Urinating shortly after sexand wiping yourself has been shown to reduce the odds you will develop an infection.Urinary tract infections occur more often in women after sex in women because they have shorter urethras than men. That makes it easy for bacteria to go up into the urinary tract (but not every woman gets infections).Though rare, men can get urinary tract infections too and they can transmit pathogens to women as well. The groin is a major source of bacteria so men should clean their groin area as part ofgood personal hygiene.
Urinate and Clean Yourself Before and After Sex
Michael Poehlman / Getty Images
Bacteria can travel up into the urinary tract during sex, increasing your risk ofurinary tract infections.
Urinating shortly after sexand wiping yourself has been shown to reduce the odds you will develop an infection.
Urinary tract infections occur more often in women after sex in women because they have shorter urethras than men. That makes it easy for bacteria to go up into the urinary tract (but not every woman gets infections).
Though rare, men can get urinary tract infections too and they can transmit pathogens to women as well. The groin is a major source of bacteria so men should clean their groin area as part ofgood personal hygiene.
6Wipe From Front to Back If You’re a WomanBill Green / EyeEm / Getty ImagesThe anus and rectum have a lot of bacteria. Wiping from front to back ensures that you don’t bring the bacteria into contact with the vagina, resulting in urinary tract infections.
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Wipe From Front to Back If You’re a WomanBill Green / EyeEm / Getty ImagesThe anus and rectum have a lot of bacteria. Wiping from front to back ensures that you don’t bring the bacteria into contact with the vagina, resulting in urinary tract infections.
Wipe From Front to Back If You’re a Woman
Bill Green / EyeEm / Getty Images
The anus and rectum have a lot of bacteria. Wiping from front to back ensures that you don’t bring the bacteria into contact with the vagina, resulting in urinary tract infections.
7Listen to your bladderYour bladder is made of muscle that expands when it fills and contracts when it’s time to empty. It’s best not to wait too long to urinate, which, over time, can stretch your bladder. Future problems could include incomplete emptying, recurrent infections, and urine traveling all the way up to the kidneys.
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Listen to your bladderYour bladder is made of muscle that expands when it fills and contracts when it’s time to empty. It’s best not to wait too long to urinate, which, over time, can stretch your bladder. Future problems could include incomplete emptying, recurrent infections, and urine traveling all the way up to the kidneys.
Listen to your bladder
Your bladder is made of muscle that expands when it fills and contracts when it’s time to empty. It’s best not to wait too long to urinate, which, over time, can stretch your bladder. Future problems could include incomplete emptying, recurrent infections, and urine traveling all the way up to the kidneys.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.The urinary tract & how it works.Han H, Segal AM, Seifter JL, Dwyer JT.Nutritional management of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).Clin Nutr Res. 2015;4(3):137-152. doi:10.7762/cnr.2015.4.3.137U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.Lohsiriwat S, Hirunsai M, Chaiyaprasithi B.Effect of caffeine on bladder function in patients with overactive bladder symptoms.Urol Ann. 2011;3(1):14–18. doi:10.4103/0974-7796.75862Urology Care Foundation.Ways to stay hydrated in summer.Urology Care Foundation.Take steps to avoid a UTI this summer.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.The urinary tract & how it works.Han H, Segal AM, Seifter JL, Dwyer JT.Nutritional management of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).Clin Nutr Res. 2015;4(3):137-152. doi:10.7762/cnr.2015.4.3.137U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.Lohsiriwat S, Hirunsai M, Chaiyaprasithi B.Effect of caffeine on bladder function in patients with overactive bladder symptoms.Urol Ann. 2011;3(1):14–18. doi:10.4103/0974-7796.75862Urology Care Foundation.Ways to stay hydrated in summer.Urology Care Foundation.Take steps to avoid a UTI this summer.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.The urinary tract & how it works.Han H, Segal AM, Seifter JL, Dwyer JT.Nutritional management of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).Clin Nutr Res. 2015;4(3):137-152. doi:10.7762/cnr.2015.4.3.137U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.Lohsiriwat S, Hirunsai M, Chaiyaprasithi B.Effect of caffeine on bladder function in patients with overactive bladder symptoms.Urol Ann. 2011;3(1):14–18. doi:10.4103/0974-7796.75862Urology Care Foundation.Ways to stay hydrated in summer.Urology Care Foundation.Take steps to avoid a UTI this summer.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.The urinary tract & how it works.
Han H, Segal AM, Seifter JL, Dwyer JT.Nutritional management of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).Clin Nutr Res. 2015;4(3):137-152. doi:10.7762/cnr.2015.4.3.137
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025.
Lohsiriwat S, Hirunsai M, Chaiyaprasithi B.Effect of caffeine on bladder function in patients with overactive bladder symptoms.Urol Ann. 2011;3(1):14–18. doi:10.4103/0974-7796.75862
Urology Care Foundation.Ways to stay hydrated in summer.
Urology Care Foundation.Take steps to avoid a UTI this summer.
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