Bladder Infection and Kidney Stone Prevention
Bladder infections and kidney stones can happen at any age and in men and women.
Bladder infections (or also called urinary tract infections) are most common in sexually active women, and both men and women above age 60 (with decreasing skin tone and prostate enlargement).
We need to teach our children to drink plenty of water, and over age 10 we need to drink at least 64 ounces of water a day – preferably 130 ounces (one gallon). This is best to be water, and can include some tea.
Soda is especially irritating to the urinary system, not good for your bones, and can add many calories and weight!
Once a person has a bladder infection, I talk about recovery and then prevention.
This starts with drinking over 64 ounces of water a day. Tips to accomplish this are drinking intentionally double or triple the amount of water you normally would when you take a drink (quickly downing 8-16 ounces with a drink), keeping a water bottle with you in your car and desk, and drinking a large bottle of water when you drive home from work.
You also need to eat healthy (plenty of good veggies, fruit, and lean protein – the Mediterranean diet is best), exercise, and keep a healthy body weight.
Sexually active women should eventually get up after intercourse to urinate and drink at least 4 ounces of water (this flushes out bacteria from the urethra).
If a person gets recurrent bladder infections, I commonly recommend daily cranberry pills and sometimes an antibiotic after intercourse.
