Urinary tract infections (UTIs) Archive

The surge in heat waves and extreme heat poses serious health risks for everyone but is a particular worry for older adults. What can you do to manage heat-related risks, especially if you have existing health conditions or take certain medications?

Kidney stones are increasingly common among Americans. Made of minerals and acid salts in the urine, the hard deposits cause symptoms when they get stuck in the ureter, the tube that leads to the bladder. Symptoms include excruciating pain, blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. Risk factors for kidney stones include low fluid intake, family history, pregnancy, obesity, high blood pressure, gastric bypass surgery, and eating foods high in salt or sugar. Most kidney stones pass on their own, but treatments can retrieve or destroy the stones.

A 2024 research review suggested that drinking more water can help people stave off a variety of health problems as well as promote weight loss.

While men sometimes hold off urinating until absolutely necessary, waiting too long won't cause serious damage to their bladder. Still, over time, the practice could possibly raise the risk for urinary tract infections and make urinating difficult.

About 98 million Americans have prediabetes, in which the average amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood is high but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. While people with prediabetes want to avoid getting diabetes, prediabetes can be dangerous on its own, as it increases the risk for cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and fatty liver disease. Controlling blood pressure, lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol, and managing glucose levels with weight loss, exercise, and diet offers protection against diabetes and these conditions.

Eating a plant-based diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables has been shown to help lower high blood pressure. A 2024 study has found that these foods may also protect against worsening of chronic kidney disease in people with high blood pressure.

Blood in the urine is often due to a urinary tract infection or kidney stones, but it might also indicate a more serious problem. To determine the cause, doctors start by analyzing a urine sample. Other tests may include imaging scans or cystoscopy to look inside the bladder.

A 2023 study suggests habitually adding salt to food may raise the odds of developing chronic kidney disease, which increases the risks of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.