SATURDAY, Sept. 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) — As summer gives way to fall, the warm weather isn’t expected to end anytime soon, which means it’s important to stay hydrated to avoid infections urinary tract.

Obtain dehydrated is one of the main risk factors for these common and painful infections, also known as UTIs.

“Patients may have more UTIs during the summer due to insufficient fluid intake, especially during the historic heat waves we have experienced,” said Dr. Maude Carmel, associate professor of urology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

UTI are common and are characterized by burning or pain with urination, increased frequency and the need to go, and blood in the urine.

Although painful urination doesn’t necessarily mean you have a UTI, it can be a cause. Diagnosis requires a urine culture. A urinalysis or test strip is not enough.

Cranberry juice is too diluted to treat UTIs, despite the popular myth that this is the case. Cranberry supplements may reduce some risk of infection, however, Carmel said in a press release from the center.

Anyone with symptoms of a UTI should make an appointment with their primary care physician, she said. A person who has more than three UTIs diagnosed in a year may need to see a urologist. This specialist can order additional tests and assess individual risk factors to narrow down the cause.

Carmel offered some tips to reduce the risk of UTIs: In addition to drinking at least two liters of fluid (about half a gallon) a day, urinate at least every three hours and also after reports. Avoiding constipation can also help.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on urinary tract infections.

SOURCE: UT Southwestern Medical Center, press release, September 3, 2022