Some people are prone to recurring bladder infections. These infections come with extreme pain and always require a trip to the doctor or emergency room. Fortunately, for patients who are especially prone to UTIs, there are several things that can be done to keep bladder infections at bay. Take these steps to live a life with fewer trips to the doctor's office and lower medical bills.

Fluids

This is somewhat common knowledge, but with the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be easy to forget: everyone should drink at least eight glasses of water per day. However, those individuals who are prone to  bladder infections should drink the recommended eight glasses and a few more. If you feel a bladder infection is imminent, drink as much plain water as you possibly can. If you have a difficult time remembering to drink your water, keep a chart on a piece of paper, or download an app to your smartphone that will assist with this. If you don't like the taste of plain water, add some lemon juice or mint leaves to your water for an added zing. You may also wish to drink a glass or two of plain, unaltered cranberry juice each day. Just make sure you choose a juice with no sugar or other additives.

Medications

There are several over-the-counter medications you should keep on hand if you are prone to bladder infections. Cranberry capsules are inexpensive and should be taken daily to ward off another bladder infection. These capsules also have no sugar, honey or other additives that many brands of regular cranberry juice are laden with. There are also medications available over-the-counter that can be taken at the onset of a bladder infection when you first start to feel symptoms. These medications will clean out the urinary tract and reduce pain but should not be used as a substitute for a visit to your doctor. They are a temporary fix to soothe your urinary tract until you can get an appointment with your medical provider.

Prescription antibiotics and pain relievers will quickly cure a bladder infection; however, it is important to finish the entire prescription and not cease taking it when you feel better. Your doctor may also write a standing prescription for you to keep on hand if you have very frequent bladder infections.

Things to Avoid

There are several things to avoid if you are prone to frequent bladder infections. Coffee, tea, soda and other drinks with caffeine can trigger bladder infections. Avoid hot tubs and extremely hot baths. You should also avoid very tight underclothing and thong underwear. Fragrance-free personal hygiene products are also a must. And finally, avoid infrequent urination.

Again, with today's busy lifestyle, it can be easy to forget the basics. Keep things moving through your bladder to flush out impurities. To learn more about how to fight bladder infections, get in touch with a medical provider like Alliance For Women's Health, Inc.