UTIs or urinary tract infections are common reasons that take people to their doctors each year. Though men also get affected by UTIs but urinary tract infections are more common in women.According to study, more than 8 million women visit doctor for treatment of a urinary tract infection annually. Moreover, 20% of these woman contract UTI the second time also. In case you too have suffered with a urinary tract infection, forgetting its symptoms wouldn’t have been easy for you.
A urinary tract infection usually starts with frequent and sudden need to urinate. Moreover, when you try to excrete, you are just able to squeeze out a small amount of urine. A burning sensation also follows in the urethra or bladder. In extreme cases, you may also contract fever, back pain, chills and blood in urine.
A urinary tract infection begins with the urinary system that consists of uterus, kidneys, urethra and bladder. The infection could affect any part of the urinary system but most of the time it is the urethra and bladder that is affected. Serious consequences may follow if the infection gets spread to kidneys. Although antibiotics happen to be a typical treatment for urinary tract infection, but it’s better to first try and cure UTI with home remedies.
11 Home Remedies For UTI
It’s important to acknowledge the symptoms of urinary tract infection as soon as possible and use home remedies immediately to combat its symptoms and get rid of discomfort as well as pain. In case you feel that you are having a persistent and strong urge to urinate, the urine appears cloudy, a burning sensation is felt while urinating, you feel strong pelvic pain and the urine smells foul, you may be suffering from a UTI. Following are some home remedies that can be used to combat a urinary tract infection.
Avoid Alcohol, Coffee And Soft Drinks
Avoid drinks that are not good for your bladder. This is one of the most important preventive as well as curing measures that you can take. You must not have alcohol, coffee and soft drinks. In fact you must not have anything that contains caffeine and citrus juices till the time the infection gets cleared. These things can irritate your bladder extremely and you may feel forced to urinate even more frequently.
Heating Pad
Using the heating pad is also recommended. You can apply a warm heating pad over your abdomen. This will comfort you and minimize discomfort and pressure on your bladder.
Cotton Undergarments
Whenever you bathe, try using a shower. Moreover only wear cotton undergarments as cotton supports bladder hygiene.
Baking soda
Another great remedy involves use of baking soda. You need to mix a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water and drink it. The soda will neutralize the acidity of your body and help in speedy recovery.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberries and Blueberries can also be used for treating urinary tract infections. Both these fruits have bacteria-inhibiting properties. You must have raw blueberries and cranberries along with your morning cereal. You may also try drinking cranberry juice as it greatly helps in clearing urinary tract infection. Cranberry juice prevents bacteria from getting into your bladder.
Moreover, cranberry juice also has an antibiotic effect. It has been seen that drinking 4 ounces of cranberry juice can keep you away from urinary tract infection. However, for urinary tract infection treatment, you will need to have a minimum of 2 to 4 glasses cranberry juice every day.
In case you find cranberry juice to be bitter, you can mix it with some other juice and then have it. However, you must understand that cranberry juice is in no way an antibiotic replacement for urinary tract infection.
Pineapples
UTIs can also be treated using pineapples. Simply have lots of pineapples and it can improve your urinary tract health. The reason is presence of bromelain enzyme in pineapples. Bromelain are also known to have an antibiotic effect. The enzyme helps in curing infections. You must eat a lot of pineapple and you will see that the infection will slowly go away.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Those suffering with a urinary tract infection must also drink plenty of water. The water will dilute your urine and help in flushing out bacteria. Make sure that you have a lot of water and urinate every 4 to 5 hours.
Vitamin C
Foods rich in vitamin C are also known to heal urinary tract infection very fast. You must have at least 5000 mg of vitamin C daily. It is even more important if you are prone to urinary tract infection. Vitamin C will not only help in curing a UTI, it will also keep the bladder healthy by acidifying the urine.
Buchu
Buchu, also known as Buchu Agathosma betulina, is a herb that natives of Southern Africa have been using for more than 100 years. It cleanses the urinary tract and also behaves as a natural tonic. It has been found out that Buchu helps in flushing out toxins from bladder as well as the entire urinary system.
Bearberry Leaf
Another great home remedy for urinary tract infection is use of Bearberry Leaf. Also known as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, the herb has been used as a folk remedy for urinary tract cleansing. The herb has also been put to test. It was evaluated that people who took bearberry were able to dispose of the infection successfully.
Garlic
Those suffering with urinary tract infection may also use garlic for treatment. Garlic is known for its antibacterial effects. In fact, in Indian culture, garlic is a very important constituent of their daily food preparations.
Other than being a good home remedy for urinary tract infections, garlic can also be used for a number of other ailments. Moreover, garlic is quite delicious and can be had in many forms including raw and pickles.
Yarrow or Achillea millefolium can also be used for UTI treatment. Yarrow contains volatile oils and alkamides which soothes and cleanses the urinary tract.
The above written home remedies are easy-to-use and can successfully help you counter a urinary tract infection. However, if you feel extreme pain and discomfort, you must contact a physician and get your condition diagnosed.
Caution: Please use Home Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.