7 Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is usually bacterial infection in any
part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder and
urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder
and the urethra.
UTI is the key reason women are often told
to wipe from front to back after using the bathroom. That's because the
urethra- that tube that transports urine from the bladder to the
outside of the body is located close to the anus. Bacteria from the
large intestine, such as E. coli, are in the perfect position to escape
the anus and invade the urethra. From there, they travel up to the
bladder, and if the infection isn't treated, it proceed to infect the
kidneys. Women may be especially prone to UTIs because they have shorter
urethra, which allow bacteria quick access to the bladder. Unprotected
sex with an infected person is usually the major cause in men.
The
pain associated with UTI brings a whole lots of discomfort and most
medical practitioners advise the use of antibiotics. However, taking an
antibiotic isn’t the only way to get over symptoms of a urinary tract
infection.
In fact, some remedies don’t require a prescription —
and they can be done right at home in addition to any treatment your
doctor has recommended.
Below is a list of seven viable home
remedies which have been proven to be effective and less costly in
treating and preventing the symptoms of UTI
1. Get Your Fill of Water
One
of the first things to do when you have a urinary tract infection is
drink plenty of water. That’s because drinking water can help flush away
the bacteria that's causing your infection, according to the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), which
puts you on the right track for recovery.
2. Load Up on Vitamin C for a Healthy Urinary Tract
Getting
plenty of foods high in vitamin C is important, because large amounts
of vitamin C make urine more acidic. This inhibits the growth of
bacteria in your urinary tract, according to the Johns Hopkins Medicine
health library. If you have an active UTI, taking vitamin C supplements
may help, too, advises Kandis Rivers, MD, a urologist at Henry Ford
Health System in West Bloomfield, Michigan.
3. Soothe UTI Pain With Heat
Inflammation
and irritation from UTIs cause burning, pressure, and pain around your
pubic area, Dr. Rivers says. Applying a heating pad can help soothe the
area. Keep the heat setting low, don’t apply it directly to the skin,
and limit your use to 15 minutes at a time to avoid burns.
4. Cut Bladder Irritants From Your Diet
When
you have a UTI, caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, nicotine, carbonated
drinks, and artificial sweeteners can irritate your bladder further,
making it harder for your body to heal. Focus on healthy foods, such as
high-fiber carbohydrates, which are good for your digestive health, says
Dr. Lucille.
5. Go Ahead, Empty Your Bladder Again
Every
time you empty your bladder — even if it’s just a small amount — you rid
it of some of the bacteria causing the infection, according to the
NIDDK. So keep making those bathroom runs, advises Rivers.
6. Consider Herbal Remedies
You
may find some relief from taking the herb uva ursi (bearberry leaf),
which is used as a treatment for lower urinary tract infections. But
Rivers cautions that it should be taken only for short periods of time —
five days or less — as it could cause liver damage. In addition, the
herb goldenseal may be used as a remedy for UTIs, according to the
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. It's smart to
tell your doctor about this and any other medications or herbs you’re
taking, because side effects or drug interactions can sometimes be
serious.
7. Change to Healthier Habits
Lifestyle changes
matter because they can help you recover from a UTI and might prevent
another infection.To lower your risk of getting a urinary tract
infection, pee within 30 minutes of having sex, says Lisa N. Hawes, MD, a
general urologist in Fulton, Maryland, and a physician spokesperson for
the American Urological Association. And ignore the often-shared advice
that both partners should wash their genitals immediately before and
after sex. "This actually changes bacterial flora and will increase UTI
risks," Hawes says.
