When you’re creating a password for your account, make sure to include a mix of numbers, symbols, and letters, both uppercase and lowercase. Avoid using the same passwords for multiple accounts. It’s harder to remember, but it will keep your information much safer.  Try abbreviating a phrase. For example, “Soda at dinner keeps you up at night” could become “S@dKuU@n!” Longer passwords are always stronger, so try using a favorite quote, or a line from a song, book, or movie. Remember that some websites have password length restrictions, so make sure to follow those as well.  Avoid using common passwords like “123456” or “password,” or information about you that others might easily be able to find out, like a nickname, your street, or the name of a pet. Password managers automatically generate and store strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. You’ll simply create one master password for the manager and let it keep all the others safe.  You can use some password managers for free, while more premium options are available for a fee. Popular, trustworthy password managers include 1Password and LastPass. You can find others by searching for them online. You can also use your browser’s built-in password syncing service, although it’s considered less safe and more vulnerable to hacking, so use with caution. Multi-factor authentication makes an account even more secure by requiring extra information to let you log in, such as a code sent to your phone. Many large email providers and social media accounts offer this service.  To check whether an account has multi-factor authentication, check the site’s Settings page. This extra step might seem annoying, but it will keep your information safer than just a password alone. Consider very carefully before you make an account on a website, even if it just requires giving your email address. No matter how secure your passwords are, using them on unsafe sites will put your information in danger.  Avoid sites with misspellings or bad grammar in their addresses, which could be dangerous copycats of legitimate websites. Also look out for sites that have lots of pop-ups, or numbers or gibberish in their addresses. Logging into a site creates a cookie in your browser, which identifies you and, if stolen, can compromise your account. This is especially an issue on sites that hold sensitive information, like your bank account or credit card number, so it’s always best to log out once you’re finished.  Log out of any site you use on a public computer or network. Log out of any online banking or shopping site you use, even on your home computer and network. It’s typically OK to keep your home computer logged on to accounts like your email or social media, as long as you make sure to lock your computer if you ever step away from it.

Summary: Use strong, unique passwords. Use a password manager to keep passwords safe and organized. Enable multi-factor authentication on your accounts. Sign up for accounts on legitimate sites only. Log out of sites when you’re done using them.


When you have a urinary tract infection, you will often feel like you need to go to the bathroom. Do not ignore these feelings. Go to the bathroom right away and empty your bladder as much as you can. Doing so should help you to feel a little more comfortable when you are dealing with a UTI. This common over-the-counter medicine can help to relieve the burning pain that comes with urination when you have a UTI. Pyridium alkalinizes the urine to increase the pH of the urine so that the urine does not burn as much as it travels down the infected urethra.  Follow the instructions for how much to take and how often. A common dose is 200 mg three times daily. You will only need to take pyridium for two days until it begins to take effect. Do not take pyridium for more than two days without discussing it with your doctor. This medication should only be taken by adolescents 16 and older and adults. Keep in mind that this medication will cause your urine to turn bright orange. Some may also notice an orange tint to the eyes, and it may stain contact lenses. Pyridium may interfere with certain lab tests, so let the technician or doctor know you are taking it before giving a urine sample. Wearing loose-fitting cotton underwear and clothing will make it less likely that moisture will get trapped in your underwear and make your infection worse. It will also make it easier for you to remove your pants and underwear if you have to go to the bathroom in a hurry. Furthermore, loose-fitting clothing will help you to feel more comfortable than wearing something tight. Often times pelvic discomfort can occur with UTIs. Wearing nonrestrictive clothing will avoid excess pelvic pressure from occurring thus increasing comfort. Ask your doctor for recommendations on what to take and how much to help ease the pain that comes with a urinary tract infection. Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Motrin (ibuprofen) are good options.  Certain conditions make the use of over-the-counter painkillers unsafe (for instance, if you take blood thinners, then drugs like ibuprofen should be avoided). Talk to your doctor about other medications you are taking and conditions you might have. Read and follow the package instructions for any over-the-counter medicine that you decide to take. General recommendations for healthy adults is between 3,000 and 4,000 mg in 24 hours. A heating pad may help to reduce some of the pain and discomfort that you feel in your back and lower abdomen as a result of the urinary tract infection. Purchase an electric heating pad to apply to your lower back or abdomen for 10–15 minutes at a time.  Make sure that you take breaks from using the heating pad. After you use it for 10–15 minutes. Take it off for an hour. If you are using an electric heating pad, keep the heat set on low to avoid overheating. If you use the heating pad to relieve UTI pain at night, you'll need to turn it off before you go to sleep.
Summary: Go to the bathroom when you feel the urge to go. Take pyridium (phenazopyridine) to reduce the burning sensation when you urinate. Wear loose-fitting, cotton underwear and clothing. Take an over-the-counter painkiller. Use a heating pad.