Thouse who suffered Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) knows that they are painful symptoms. Burning sensations, cramping, and frequent trips to the bathroom are all the major symptoms of UTIs. They are also annoying and frustrating, especially if they’re recurrent.
In this condition, the last thing you want to do is spend more time during your busy schedule to visit a doctor for an antibiotic. So here we have best home remedies to treat your UTI.
While antibiotics are the fastest and most recommended way to treat a UTI, there are some home remedies you can try to treat the condition.
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How to prevent urinary tract infection (UTI) ?
While medications can treat UTIs quickly, many people also find relief from their UTI symptoms with home remedies. However, simple hygienic and high-immune life style can easily prevent occurrence of UTI.
1. Keep it clean and dry
One of the best things to do to prevent UTIs at home is to stay as clean and dry as possible. Wiping from front to back after urinating or a bowel movement will help keep bacteria from entering the urethra and traveling up the urinary tract.
2. Use cotton cloth
Wear underwear made from natural fibers to ensure that the urethra stays as clean and dry as possible to prevent bacterial entry. Wearing clothing that’s too tight can block airflow to the urethra. Without airflow, bacteria can gain entry and breed an environment that allows the development of a UTI.
Wearing clothes made from synthetic fibers like nylon can trap moisture, allowing bacterial growth.
3. Avoid spermicides
Spermicide is a type of birth control that is inserted into the vagina before sex to kill sperm. Spermicides may cause irritation, removing natural barriers of protection from bacterial invasion (and ultimately infection). Avoiding spermicides while experiencing a UTI is recommended.
Additionally, urinating before and immediately after sex can help prevent UTIs.
4. Douching can be harmful
The presence of any bacteria in the urinary tract does not mean the presence of infection; “good” bacteria is present and is important for maintaining a healthy equilibrium. In addition to “bad” bacteria, douching can eliminate this “good” bacteria and change your body’s pH balance. Ultimately this may allow the “bad” bacteria to flourish.
5. Change menstrual pads or cups
Low-absorbency pads made of synthetic materials can expose your vulva to bacteria and increase your risk of infection. Using tampons can encourage bacteria to develop faster, so it’s important to change your tampon regularly. Tampons and menstrual cups may increase your risk of getting or worsening a UTI if it’s not positioned correctly. If it pushes on your urethra and traps your urine, bacteria can spread to the bladder. Changing the size or shape of a menstrual cup may help prevent recurrent UTIs.
6. Change of soap
Your bubble bath, body wash, and other cleaning products could be the culprit to your UTIs. Use sensitive formulas that are dye- and fragrance-free.
Best home remedies to treat UTI
UTI is a common encompassing infections of the upper urinary tract—which possibly includes the kidneys (pyelonephritis)—as well as of the lower urinary tract, which possibly includes the bladder (cystitis).
These UTIs can cause burning sensations while urinating, a sense of urinary urgency or frequency, and pelvic pain; more severe infections may cause flank pain, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting.
Here are most effective home remedies to treat UTI.
1. Water
One of the best home remedies for urinary tract infections is to simply drink lots of water. By drinking lots of fluids, you will force yourself to urinate more often, which will helps to flush out the bacteria and reduces the burning sensation that women typically experience while urinating.
Directions For Use: A recommendation is to drink at least 6-8 large glasses of water per day.
No specific precaution needs to be followed while using this treatment. You can expect to see results within a day.
2. Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice does not allow bacteria to cling to the cells, which line the urinary tract. Cranberry juice contains high concentrations of Vitamin C and Quinolic Acid, it is one of the more popular remedies for men.
Directions For Use: Drinking 12 to 24 oz of cranberry juice can be very effective against UTI. Avoid commercial cranberry juice cocktails as the product contains little cranberry juice and a high fructose syrup or sweeteners.
No specific precaution needs to be followed while using this treatment.
3. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential nutrient required for many metabolic processes. It is known antioxidant and is also necessary for the synthesis of collagen, several biochemicals, and neurotransmitters. Vitamin C helps keep the bladder healthy by acidifying urine thus preventing bacteria
Directions For Use: Take 1000 mg of a vitamin C supplement daily. Vitamin c is easily available from natural sources like bananas, guavas , kiwifruits, melons, pineapples, raspberries, tomatoes, papaya, watermelons etc.
No specific precaution needs to be followed while using this treatment. However, pregnant women should not take large doses of vitamin C, due to a possible increased risk of early miscarriage.
4. Bearberry (Uva Ursi)
Uva ursi contains a potent antiseptic that combats urinary tract infections. The main compound in this herb is arbutin. For it to work, the urine has to be alkaline.
Directions For Use: 1 Dropper full of Uva Ursi extract. Medical researchers have found that this herb works best in the alkaline environment , taking sodium bicarbonate before using this herb can increase the alkalinity.
Urinary Infection Tea Recipe
- 1 teaspoon dried uva ursi leaves
- 1 cup water
Simmer in water for a couple of minutes, then steep them for 20 minutes.
Strain and drink 2 to 4 cups daily.
Tto make sure the infection is gone, continue taking for 2 days after the symptoms disappear.
Side effects: People with kidney or liver disease or pregnant or nursing women or children should not take uva ursi. Also Uva ursi can include brown or green colored urine, nausea, ringing in the ears, or indigestion.
5. Dandelion Root
A Dandelion Root strengthens the kidneys and helps cleanse the urinary tract. , ensuring that infecting bacteria are passed out of the body before they can cause an inflammatory reaction.
Directions For Use: Dandelion root boiled for fifteen minutes, then turn down heat and simmer in covered saucepan for 10 to 20 minutes. Drink 1 to 2 cups daily as a general tonic.
Some people may be allergic to this plant, so use with small doses.
Conclusion
Although natural home remedies can be beneficial for alleviating UTI symptoms and preventing recurrent UTIs, they may not be effective in treating the infection. So use these remedies with caution. Always go to your primary care physician immediately if there is blood in the urine, if you have a fever, and/or low back pain.
