Norwood Lateral Closure – How it may affect your drive to The Urology Group. Click for alternate routes.

Rising Temperatures Raise Incidents of UTIs – Here’s Why

July 30, 2018

What do swim suits, ice cream cones and bacteria have in common?

Yes, summer. And while it’s not a pretty picture, knowing about it can help prevent a lot of discomfort or worse as August rolls around. Urinary tract infections, which occur when bacteria grow in the urine, are shown to be more common in the summer, particularly among younger women.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) can occur in either the upper or lower urinary tract and therefore can exist in the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra. They are common, second only to respiratory infections  affecting about 40 percent of women and 12 percent of men  at some point in their lives.

And in the summer, those chances escalate for several reasons. Knowing the causes will help prevent the burning and other discomfort most commonly associated with UTIs.

Summertime Ex-Tract: 4 Preventions

A UTI typically begins at the opening of the urethra, the tube urine passes through to exit the body from the bladder. The urethra is shorter in women than men, making it easier for bacteria to get to the bladder. But how do the bacteria get in the urethra? One common cause is e. Coli, but in the summer, multiple other factors increase the chances. 

  • Changes in urination. Dehydration is more common in the summer, and it may increase the risk for UTIs as water helps clear the urinary tract of bacteria. Holding it in is also considered a contributing factor. If you begin to feel like you cannot hold your urine, or need to go more frequently yet little comes out, you may be experiencing common UTI symptoms.
  • Rising temperature.While you’re lounging by the pool, keep in mind that bacteria also love to lounge about in heat and humidity. Summer provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria in the urinary tract. Fever, chills and lower abdominal pain are common signs. 
  • Wet suits.Wearing a wet swimsuit all day contributes to the warm, humid environment breeding bacteria love. It’s best to switch into dry shorts or a skirt during prolonged pool breaks. Cloudy or bad-smelling urine are warnings of a UTI.
  • Sexual activity.Summer love may contribute to UTIs because the urethra might come into contact with bacteria from the partner’s genital area. Cleaning before and after sex, as well as urinating immediately before and after, reduces your chances. Common symptoms of upper urinary tract infections, which affect the kidneys, include nausea, high fever and waist-level pain in the back or side. Whether you are a man or woman, if you experience any of these signs, or see blood in your urine, call a urologist.
    Easy-Peesy Test
    Identifying a UTI is a pretty quick-and-easy process. Often, a urine sample is applied to a chemical stick and examined for bacteria.
    Patients with recurring UTIs may require internal imaging to detect underlying problems in the urinary tract. These tests can range from a cystoscopy, when a tiny camera is inserted through the urethra into the bladder, to various forms of X-ray imaging, including ultrasounds and CT scans.
    Treatment usually involves antibiotics, though in more severe cases hospitalization and IV antibiotics may be necessary. Pregnancy, kidney stones and compromised immune systems may contribute to such advanced treatments.
    In each case, plenty of sunshine also should help, because it does tend to lift spirits. Just be sure to keep that swim suit dry whenever possible!
    To learn more, visit our page on UTIs at: urinary tract infections.

 

Recent Featured Blog Posts

  1. Sweetest Day Flowers or Vasectomy – Which Snip Will She Prefer? 

    Fresh cut flowers make for a nice Sweetest Day (October 19) gift. But a “snip” that lasts forever is a vasectomy. The Urology Group’s “Snip for Your Sweetie” program might be just the right time to schedule a vasectomy if you are committed to not having children or if you’ve had the number you want….

    Read More
  2. Scoring Against Prostate Cancer: Why Less Than a Point May Matter

    In Cincinnati Reds baseball, one point can determine a game. When it comes to prostate cancer, slightly less than a point in a year could push your chances of getting the cancer into the red.  You can help prevent this by covering first base – that is, your baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA) reading. This reading,…

    Read More
  3. Why has My Sex Drive Stalled? 5 Causes and Remedies for Women

    Sexual desire is normal. So if your sex drive is unexpectedly stuck in park, it can troubling, even embarrassing. It also can suggest your body is going through an underlying health issue. But it’s not uncommon! Of the more than 64 million women in the U.S between the ages of 30 and 59, up to…

    Read More

Virtual Assistant

Virtual Assistant

How may I assist you today?

I need help with ‘Directions & Hours’
(Please select a location from the list below)
I need help with ‘ Billing Questions’
(Please select an option below)

I need help with ‘Billing Questions’

What number should I call to pay my bill?

If your bill is from The Urology Group, please call (513) 841-7474 to pay your bill.

If your bill is from The Urology Center, please call (513) 841-7475 to pay your bill.

I need help with ‘Making, Rescheduling or Confirming an Appointment’

If you would like us to call you to set up an appointment, please click here to request a call back.

If you would like to call us, please call
513-841-7400
to speak with a representative.
Our hours are:

Monday-Friday: 7:30am – 5:00pm

I need help with ‘Questions About Test Results’

please call us at:

513-841-7400

Our hours are:

Monday-Friday: 7:30am – 5:00pm

I need help with ‘Medication Refills’

please call us at:

513-841-7400

Our hours are:

Monday-Friday: 7:30am – 5:00pm

I need help with ‘Returning a Call from the Office’

please call us at:

513-841-7400

Our hours are:

Monday-Friday: 7:30am – 5:00pm

I need help with ‘A Copy of My Medical Records’

please call us at:

513-841-7400

Our hours are:

Monday-Friday: 7:30am – 5:00pm