Wear Comfortable And Loose Clothes
Another important part of home treatment of urine infection is to ensure wearing loose-fitting and comfortable clothes. When one avoids wearing tight-fitting clothes and clothes made with material like nylon, their skin is able to breathe easily. If incontinence is not an issue, the elderly person should be encouraged to wear cotton underwear that can help keep their genitals clean and dry as well. The underwear should also be changed at least once a day. On the other hand, if the elderly person uses continence briefs or diapers, soiled ones should be changed promptly and regularly.
What Are The Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections
An infection occurs in the urinary tract when bacteria enter the urethra and sets up camp there. Sometimes they will migrate from there to the bladder, causing further infection. If you dont get treated, the bacteria can even move on to the kidney. When we urinate, we often flush out the bacteria, but sometimes this bacterium can take root.
You really dont want this to happen, as it can turn quite serious and require a hospital stay, as well as lead to an even worse kidney or bladder infection. These bacteria usually come from the colon. Sometimes other tiny organisms that are sexually transmitted can also cause these kinds of infections.
Common causes of UTIs include:
- Improper wiping, or anything which spreads bacteria from the anus to the genitals
- Sexual intercourse
- Kidney stones or other obstructions of the urinary tract
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder, often due to spinal cord injuries or other conditions
- Suppressed immune systems, which can occur with HIV/AIDS or diabetes
Add Natural Supplements To The Diet
There are several natural supplements that can be added to the diet as a home remedy for UTI infection treatment.
Some of the best supplements that can help with UTI treatment at home include:
Bearberry Leaf: This supplement is also known as uva-ursi. According to a study, combining bearberry leaf with dandelion leaf and root can help decrease the occurrence of UTIs. D-Mannose: This supplement is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries. Drinking cranberry juice is one of the most popular natural remedies for UTI treatment and preventing recurrences. Cranberry Extract: Similar to cranberry juice, the extract stops bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, making cranberries the best solution for urinary infection treatment. Garlic Extract: Known to be one of the popular home remedies for bladder infection, garlic is known to have antimicrobial properties. Garlic extract can help block the growth of bacteria to prevent the occurrence of UTIs.
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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 Johns Hopkins Medicine’s health library. However, if you have an active UTI, you may want to avoid citrus or other acidic foods. These foods are known to irritate the bladder, which is the last thing you need when youre having pain urinating.
Empty Your Bladder Regularly
Whenever you get the urge to pee, it is advisable to keep making those bathroom trips to empty your bladder. Even if you pee in small amounts each time, dont hold it in. You should also make it a point to empty your bladder soon after having sex.2 Residual urine present in your bladder allows bacteria present in it to multiply and thrive, causing an infection.
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Uti Treatment Without Antibiotics Is It Possible
In some cases, it is possible to treat urinary tract infections without the use of antibiotics. However, natural home remedies to treat UTIs must be used at the first sign of an infection to prevent the infection from developing.
According to OB/GYN Dr. Nivin Todd, the majority of UTIs are easy to treat and rarely produce complications. However, if the infection becomes more serious or has other complications, a course of antibiotics may be needed. This could happen if you have recurring UTIs, suffer from diabetes or have some kind of kidney damage.5
Also, treatments for women who are pregnant usually include antibiotics to prevent long-term health risks.
Because of the increase in resistance to antibiotics, many doctors recommend preventative measures to treat UTIs. For example, the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases published a study on how to lower the need for antibiotics when treating UTIs. It was found that women who increased daily fluid intake by 1.5 L had a 50% lower risk of developing another UTI.6
A report published in the journal Current Infectious Disease Reports found that treating uncomplicated UTIs without antibiotics is often the best course.
Increasing your fluid intake, using the bathroom regularly, and taking probiotics can all help to treat simple UTIs without antibiotics.
Researchers recommended that antibiotics should only be used if the urinary infection doesnt clear up within 3 days.7
Cut Back On Meat And Poultry
Some studies, such as one published in August 2018 in the journal mBio, have linked contaminated poultry and meat to E.coli bacteria strains that can cause UTIs. These studies havent proven that eating meat or poultry causes UTIs. In fact, some E.coli can live in the intestines without causing any problems. However, bacteria from the gut can enter the urinary tract and cause infection. This risk is greater in women than men, because women have shorter urethras than men, meaning the bacteria has less distance to travel to reach the bladder.
Cutting back on meat and focusing on fruits and veggies may slightly cut your risk of UTIs. According to a study of Buddhists in Taiwan, published in January 2020 in Scientific Reports, compared with nonvegetarians, vegetarians had a 16 percent lower risk of UTI.
Related: Vegetarian Diet Linked to Lowered Risk Of Urinary Tract Infection
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How Cranberry Works For Utis
Previously, it was believed cranberry worked against UTIs by acidifying the urine due to its hippuric acid content. This effect has since been found to be insignificant.
It is now suggested that cranberry proanthocyanidins at high enough concentrations, can inhibit some types of bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder.
Unfortunately, this substance is not found in high concentrations in cranberry products and this effect has also been found to be insignificant.
Try Garlic Or Bearberry Leaf
A 2009 study of male rats showed a statistically significant drop in bacterial growth and inflammation when the rats were given garlic, while the author of a 2010 study found that garlic extract had an antimicrobial effect even on some antibiotic-resistant strains of S. aureus and E. coli. And in a small study of 57 women suffering from recurring UTIs, the group who supplemented with bearberry leaf saw a significant decrease in the number of recurring infections compared to the control group over the course of the year-long study.
It should be noted that these studies are small, and some of them were only on rats or in a petri dishso take these findings with a grain of salt. And as with all herbal supplements, talk to your doctor first to make sure they don’t interact with any other meds you’re taking.
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What Exactly Is A Uti
Unsurprisingly, a UTI is an infection of the urinary tract. Bacteria has gotten into the urinary tract system, which is normally sterile. To put it in less pleasant terms, when material from the lower intestine gets into your urethra, it causes a bladder infection.
Though that sounds horrid, its not uncommon. Sometimes, it can be caused by a lack of proper hygiene, but most of the time it occurs from sex, using a diaphragm, or just being a woman. The Mayo Clinic lists female anatomy as a risk factor for the illness. So, if youre simply walking around town with a vagina, you very well might get a UTI.
The infection itself might be caused by the E. coli bacteria, which goes up the urethra. Sometimes, it hangs out in this urinary hallway without infecting anywhere else. More often, the bacteria gets into the bladder, causing frequent painful peeing, discharges, blood in your urine, and pelvic discomfort. Its not a good time, but a bladder infection is rarely serious, especially if you get treatment right away.
A Note About Cranberry Juice And Utis
Cranberry juice or cranberry extract in supplemental form has long been used as a home remedy for UTIs.
The thought is that the proanthocyanidins in cranberries may help prevent bladder infections by keeping the bacteria from clinging to the bladder wall, says Sonya Angelone, MS, RDN, a nutrition consultant based in San Francisco, and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Yet theres scientific controversy over how effective cranberry juice is at preventing UTIs due to conflicting conclusions in studies on the topic, according to an article published in May 2016 in Advances in Nutrition. Some studies have found it might work, while others have found no effect.
Bottom line, there is some evidence it may help, and it doesnt hurt to try it, says Angelone. Just be sure to chose unsweetened cranberry juice . Mix this with sparkling water or plain yogurt, she recommends.
Another low-calorie option choose a cranberry pill that contains d-mannose, she says.
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When To See A Vet
At the first signs of a UTI in your dog, we suggest that you have your dog’s urine tested at your vets.
They can confirm the diagnosis and you can then take action knowing what you are dealing with.
Indeed, these symptoms may indicate a bacterial urinary tract infection, but they may also suggest an onset of kidney disease/infection or the presence of crystals or stones in the bladder.
Often, we notice the first signs of an infection only when it is well-established, since our dogs are good at hiding things! If your dog has a more advanced bacterial infection, it may need antibiotic treatment prescribed by a vet.
Read further to learn about the natural solutions to this uncomfortable condition.
Drinking Plenty Of Fluids
Drinking lots of water is one of the best home treatments for UTI. Dehydration is itself a risk factor for developing a UTI, and regular urination can help remove bacteria from the urinary tract, which can help prevent infection.
In fact, studies show people who increase their water intake from less than 1.5 daily liters to 2.2 liters a day experience fewer UTIs.
Its commonly recommended to drink around 64 ounces of water daily, but everyones hydration needs are different. As a general rule, drink water throughout the day and whenever you feel thirsty.
When you are well-hydrated, your urine is typically clear or straw colored. You should also avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks when you have a UTI or want to prevent one.
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How To Treat My Dogs Urinary Tract Infection
What can you give a dog for urinary tract infection?
Here a some natural treatments and home remedies over the counter that can greatly help your dog fight a bacterial UTI or blood in dog urine.
In early cases of the disease, these remedies may be particularly effective. For more advanced cases, they are an important asset in completing a vet treatment.
Its important to act early, noting that a bladder infection can gradually evolve into a kidney infection.
Apple Cider Vinegar Good For Urinary Tract Infection
Apple cider vinegar is a rich source of enzymes, potassium, and other useful minerals that can prevent the bacteria that cause UTIs from multiplying or growing. Those suffering from UTIs can use apple cider vinegar as
- Natural antibiotic to treat the infection.
- Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water. You can also add lemon juice and sweeten with honey. Mix it well.
- Drink this two times a day for a few days
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Gorge On Citrus Fruits
Vitamin C increases the acidity in the urine, thus limiting the growth of bladder infections causing bacteria. Also, it boosts immunity.
Also Read: UTI Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the readers situation.
Natural Remedies For Uti Relief
A true UTI needs antibiotics to clear the bacteria responsible for the symptoms and infection, Dr. Sherry explains, so call your doctor if you’re experiencing UTI symptoms. While you wait for your appointment, though, there are some home remedies you can try to help relieve some of the discomfort.
Avoid foods and beverages that will irritate your bladder
Drinking coffee and alcohol, and eating spicy food or foods with lots of added sugar will irritate the urinary tract. They can decrease the blood flow to the bladder, which will make it harder for your immune system to fight off the infection.
Drink lots of water and empty your bladder often
According to Chicago-based OB/GYN, Jessica Shepherd, MD, drinking lots of water when you are experiencing UTI symptoms can help flush away the bacteria. Draining your bladder frequently is essential to getting rid of the bacteria, Dr. Shepherd explains. The more water you drink, the more youll have to relieve yourself.
Use a heating pad
Dr. Shepherd and Dr. Sherry both recommend applying heat to your abdomen for relief from UTI cramps or the burning sensation. A heating pad or hot water bottle over your lower abdomen can help ease some of the discomfort from a UTI, Dr. Sherry says. If youre using an electric heating pad, be careful not to fall asleep with it on or leave it on your skin for long periods of time. This can be dangerous and either burn your skin or worse, cause a fire.
Try an herbal remedy
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Wild Oregano Oil For Uti Treatment
Origanum vulgare or wild oregano oil belongs to the Lamiaceae family and is mainly found in Mediterranean countries. In terms of the rising popularity of particular UTI home remedies, oil of oregano is quickly moving up the list.
While there are many in vitro studies focussed on the antimicrobial activity of wild oregano oil, there are no studies that specifically evaluate the use of wild oregano oil for the treatment in humans or for the prevention of UTIs.
Looking For More Natural Remedies
As you may know, I’m extremely passionate about providing women with all the details they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
I’m not in any way against pharmaceuticals when they are necessary and indicated for a particular treatment. Antibiotics have a time and a place in our health. But when other options are safe and effective, I like to offer women choices that include natural options they can administer themselves.
If you’re into that sort of balance too, I’d love to send you an email when I post new articles. Hop on my mailing list HERE so I can share my research with you!
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Ease Your Urinary Woes With Sips Of Green Tea
- Add a tablespoon of green tea to warm water.
- Let it soak for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Strain it and drink it.
Catechin is a component of green tea which has antimicrobial properties. Green tea also has diuretic properties to help flush out the bacteria from your urinary system.21 You can sip 4 to 5 cups of warm green tea throughout the day.
How Do You Know If You Have A Urinary Tract Infection
Often, UTIs start almost asymptomatic . You may have an urge to urinate, but then when you go to the bathroom, you can’t seem to go. Or you can only relieve yourself a tiny bit, and then you’re making a beeline for the restroom again just minutes after you’ve walked out. Maybe you feel a bit of burning or tingling when you pee. A lot of women don’t seem to think much of their symptoms at this point.
When these mild symptoms start to happen a few times in a row, women often begin to notice. But sometimes, things progress a little further, and a mild fever or pelvic pain starts to develop before we acknowledge something is wrong.
This could be because you’ve had symptoms before and had them dismissed by a doctor. A recent study showed that the test commonly used to diagnose UTI isn’t always accurate. Researchers discovered that the standard culture missed the presence of pathogenic bacteria almost 20% of the time.
So if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t get a positive result on your bacteria culture test, and your doctor isnt giving you answers be sure to seek a second opinion, and you may want to try out the more natural remedies in this article.
Sometimes what feels like a UTI or a painful bladder is because of a condition known as Interstitial Cystitis. Either way, your provider should be working with you to find out the cause of your symptoms.
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Natural Remedies For Urinary Tract Infection
Many people who are prone to UTIs experience them frequently. They take antibiotics or other antibacterial treatments, but the infection comes right back. Sometimes its a new type of bacteria, but other times its the same one. They just didnt get killed off by the drug like they were supposed to.
Luckily, there are a variety of natural home remedies for urinary tract infections that are effective. By using these natural remedies for UTIs, you can stop your infections from ever coming back:
1. Cranberry juice: One of the most effective natural treatments for UTIs is cranberry juice. Cranberry juice contains acidic substances that make it harder for bacteria to get a hold in your urethra and cause an infection. Cranberries are a scientifically proven treatment. Studies have shown that it is of particular benefit for women who get recurrent UTI infections. For other groups of people, the benefits are less clear.
3. Vitamin C: When your urine is more acidic, bacteria has a more difficult time growing. Any home remedy that can make your urine more acidic will also make it harder for infections to occur. Vitamin C stops the growth of bacterial infections by acidifying your urine. You can take Vitamin C as a supplement, or you can eat foods loaded with the vitamin, such as oranges, bell peppers, and certain types of juice. Drinking orange juice will not only help stop the growth of bacteria, but it will also help flush out your urinary tract in the same way that water does.