- "The heat favors sweating and decreases the volume of urine, which is a risk factor, along with humidity, coldness and lack of perspiration," explains Dr. Ramírez, from the Torrejón University Hospital.
- Dr. Fariñas, head of Urology at the Ribera Povisa Hospital, recommends avoiding the beach and swimming pools when there is a urine infection, drinking a lot of water and going to the bathroom frequently
- The head of Urology of the university hospitals of Torrevieja and Vinalopó, Dr. Francisco Javier Calahorra, assures that urinary infections are three times more frequent in women than in men
Valencia, July 22 2021 – During the summer, environmental factors such as heat and swimming in swimming pools increase the risk of urinary infection because the water can alter the defensive flora and thus facilitate the appearance of cystitis. "The heat promotes sweating and decreases the volume of diuresis or urine, which is a risk factor for infections," explains Dr. Manuel Ramírez, a urologist at the University Hospital of Torrejón. In addition, he adds, "bathing on beaches and swimming pools conditions another clear risk factor, sustained moisture in the vagina, which facilitates cystitis due to cooling and lack of perspiration."
Dr. Francisco Javier Calahorra, head of the Urology Service of the University Hospitals of Torrevieja y Vinalopo, managed by the Ribera health group, ensures that "urinary infections are three times more frequent in women than in men." Dr. Luis Fariña, head of the Urology Service of the Ribera Povisa Hospital, which points out that in women, "there are two periods of life in which these infections are more common: the period that coincides with the beginning of sexual intercourse, and the period of adult life that coincides with the changes that occur at menopause.
Urinary tract infections, very common in summer, represent the second most common type of infection in outpatient settings, after respiratory infections, according to specialists from the Ribera group. The most frequent is usually cystitis, which is the term used in medicine to call inflammation of the bladder. And the most frequent microorganism is Escherichia Coli, according to Dr. Ramírez. Most of the time, this inflammation, which can be painful and uncomfortable, is caused by a bacterial infection. The most common manifestations are usually a burning sensation when urinating, cloudy urine with a strong odor, blood in the urine, pelvic discomfort, frequent urination in small amounts, and the irrepressible and constant urge to urinate.
With these symptoms, Dr. Fariña recommends consulting with the family doctor or specialist, since "many times a clinical diagnosis can be made with the symptoms or with an acute examination of the urine sediment, sometimes automated with a test strip ”. However, he adds, "sometimes a culture is needed to identify the germ causing the infection."
Women are at higher risk of contracting cystitis. “Most women suffer from cystitis at least once in their lives, and one in five experiences a second infection, known as recurrent cystitis,” explains Dr. Calahorra.
The reason why women are more prone to these episodes is their anatomy, since the female urethra is shorter than the male one, "which decreases the distance that bacteria must travel to reach the bladder," explains the Dr. Calahorra, to which Dr. Ramírez adds that "the microorganisms existing in the intestinal flora colonize the vagina and can ascend to the bladder."
The women who present a greater risk of infection, explain the Ribera specialists, are those who use certain types of contraceptives, such as diaphragms, which contain spermicidal agents, pregnant women, some at the beginning of sexual relations and finally women with menopause.
To prevent these infections, Ribera specialists advise “increasing your water intake, changing your swimsuit and drying the intimate area after bathing, not using spray deodorants or feminine products in the genital area and gently washing the area. The intake of cranberry can serve as prevention for those people with a tendency to contract the infection.
These urinary tract infections are not very serious, but they can be very annoying. Initially, they do not affect any important organ, but if the infection is not treated urgently, it can go up the ureter to the kidney and worsen, so a visit to the family doctor or specialist is recommended.
