Risks Of Public Toilets: Frequent use of public toilets can increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Especially in the Indian continent, public restrooms are not always available in many areas, especially in rural and remote regions. Even when available, the majority of these public restrooms are poorly maintained and lack basic facilities like clean water, soap, and proper sanitation.
Urinary tract infections can develop in any part of your urinary system, kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. This does not affect only men, but women too, as public toilets can have hygiene issues. As long as the place is hygienic, you can use public toilets as many times as you need because this fear of not urinating while on travel can have adverse effects on the body. In a conversation with Jagran English, Dr Shrinivas R P, Consultant – Urology, Manipal Hospital, Whitefield explained the risks associated with public toilets, especially for your urinary tract.
Why Using Public Toilets Can Be Risky?
There are 2 levels of issues related to the decision on urination in public restrooms. Public toilets, when there is a lack of proper hygiene, have unclean toilet seats, floors, taps, and handles that can contain bacteria. These bacteria can spread to hands by touching surfaces and then to the urethra if you don't wash your hands properly after using the restroom.
Many people reduce their water intake just because they are going to a public place and are not sure about the hygiene of public toilets in that area. This can have negative health consequences such as dehydration, which can further lead to fatigue, headache, dizziness and even more serious cognitive problems. Kidney function may also be impaired along with a higher risk of kidney stones due to a lack of hydration.
Reducing Risk of UTIs
Firstly, do not hold or postpone urination when your bladder is full as it can cause a lot of problems, not just biomechanical problems, but also the risk of bacterial growth in the bladder. In addition, it can make the bladder overactive or underactive where the bladder capacity may reduce, and a lot of other complications like incontinence can occur. Thus, maintaining hygiene is crucial while using public toilets.
Health Risks Of Using Public Toilets (Image Cedits: Canva)
Women can use toilet seat sanitisers, disposable seat covers or urination devices whenever there is a need to urinate. Secondly, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after using the restroom. It is also important to keep yourself hydrated with an adequate amount of water, this will also help to flush bacteria from the urinary tract.
So, if you have any UTI-like symptoms including frequent urination, pain or burning when urinating or blood in your urine, consult a urologist immediately to effectively treat the condition and prevent complications.
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