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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria grow in the urethra, the bladder, the ureters, or the kidneys. The bacterium most frequently responsible is the Escherichia coli bacterium, which is commonly found in the intestinal tract. One preventive measure for avoiding UTIs in susceptible women involves wiping from front to back after a bowl movement. This helps avoid spreading bacteria from the intestinal tract into the urethra (the tube leading from the outside of the body into the bladder). Another preventive measure is to drink ten ounces of cranberry juice each day. This seems to significantly reduce the chances of developing a UTI, owing to a substance in the juice that prevents bacteria from invading the bladder lining. Emptying the bladder before and after sexual intercourse can also prevent the recurrence of UTIs in susceptible women. Copyright © 2001. All Rights Reserved. |
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