IT wouldn't be a British summer without spells of cloudiness and rain - but hot weather is on the horizon for parts of the country. Temperatures are expected to soar again next week, with the South and South East basking in highs of 30C-plus, according to the Met Office . But your enjoyment of summery climes may be dimmed, as hot weather could increase your risk of a nasty but common infection - the dreaded UTI .
Short for urinary tract infection, these are usually caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract and might need to be treated with antibiotics. UTIs can leave you with lower tummy or back pain, a strong urge to pee, and cloudy or strong smelling urine , which can sometimes be bloody. And if you're thinking of taking your mind off your symptoms with a cheeky romp, you might find that sex aggravates them or leaves you in pain.
Thankfully, there are ways to combat agonising UTIs - or prevent them in the first place - according to nutritionist Ruth Tongue. She told The Sun that warm weather brings an increased risk of UTIs for a number of reasons. "As the temperatures rise, we’re more likely to become dehydrated due to increased sweating and not drinking enough fluids to compensate for the loss," Ruth said.
"Furthermore, the season often sees an increase in social events such as BBQs, weddings, and picnics, where alcohol consumption tends to increase. Most read in Health "On top of this, the warmer weather and longer days may provide more opportunities for sexual act.