UTI Health Care Expenses on the Rise: Is Your Diet to Blame?
Lindsay Knake
| 3 min read
Lindsay Knake is a brand journalist for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
There was a 70% increase in urinary tract infections (UTI) worldwide from 1990 and 2019.
UTIs in hospitalized patients cost more than $2 billion in the United States each year, according to the American Society of Registered Nurses. The infection is one of the most common in the world, and half of women will have at least one UTI in their lifetimes.
What is a urinary tract infection?
A UTI is an infection in the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra, according to the Mayo Clinic. More women than men develop UTIs, and the infection is more often in the bladder or urethra. A common cause of UTIs is bacteria such as E.coli traveling into the urethra.
Symptoms of UTIs include:
- Frequent urge to urinate
- A burning feeling while urinating
- Urine that is cloudy or bloody
- Urine that smells strong
- Pelvic pain in women
If you have symptoms of a UTI, it’s important to seek medical care and antibiotics right away. Infections that reach the kidneys can lead to organ damage. Older people who get UTIs have a higher risk of serious outcomes such as sepsis, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Common causes and risk factors of UTIs include sexual activity, poor hygiene, incontinence, catheters and age.
Can food cause UTIs?
The bacteria E. coli causes 80% to 90% of UTIs in the U.S. each year, according to the National Kidney Foundation. E. Coli normally lives in the colon of healthy people but can lead to infection if it gets into the urinary tract.
In 2023, a study found chicken, turkey and pork sold at grocery stores in the United States may expose people to foodborne zoonotic E. coli strains. The researchers estimate these strands of E. coli cause more than 480,000 UTIs each year. All of the meat in the study was produced in the U.S. The researchers did not include beef in the study.
E. Coli from contaminated food can travel from your digestive system to your urinary tract, causing infection. Cooking kills most of these bacteria, but improper food preparation can increase risk of exposure, according to the American Society of Registered Nurses. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after touching raw meat. Also wash knives, cutting boards, the sink and any other items that you use in food preparation before touching anything else. Bacteria can spread from your hands to other areas and cause illness. Cook all meat to the correct temperature and use a thermometer to verify it.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, there is not enough evidence to otherwise show diet can prevent or treat UTIs. While cranberry juice is a common preventive drink, there isn’t enough evidence to be sure.
Foods that irritate the bladder vary from person to person. Some foods such as acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits, caffeinated drinks, carbonated beverages, alcohol and artificial sweeteners may irritate the bladder and cause symptoms similar to a UTI, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
How to prevent UTIs
Contaminated meat may make up about 8% of UTIs, meaning there are many other causes. To prevent UTIs, according to the Mayo Clinic, do the following:
- Drink plenty of water, which dilutes urine and flushes bacteria
- Urinate after sex
- Wipe from front to back to prevent the spread of bacteria
- Do not use douches or deodorants in the genital area
- Do not use a diaphragm or spermicide for birth control
Seek treatment if you have UTIs and talk to your primary care physician if you have regular UTIs about further prevention measures.
Image: Getty Images
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