Can You Cure A Urinary Tract Infection Without Antibiotics

Heal Bladder Infection Without Antibiotics

Mayo Clinic Minute: Treating Urinary Tract Infections

Heres a short summary of the key issues raised by Dr. Mercola:

Size of Problem

some 50% of women in the US have urinary tract infection issues
around 11 million visits to health professionals
10 times more women than men suffer UTIs added by me

Symptoms and Signs

cloudy or dark urine color

Prevention is Better Than Cure

16 x more effort and resources to treat an infection than to prevent it

Prevention Through Lifestyle Changes

go to the bathroom when you feel the need not holding it in
wipe from front to back to prevent bacterial contamination
empty bladder after intercourse and scrupulously clean the area
shower instead of bathing
avoid non-natural feminine hygiene products use only natural products

Try to Avoid Antibiotics

Doctors will usually propose antibiotics to cure urinary tract infections but these kill your good bacteria as well as your bad. You can use natural home remedies for urinary tract infections. Dr. Mecola suggests:

taking good bacteria through food and / or supplements
taking cranberry extract tablets not juice
taking D-Mannose which is a naturopathic remedy for urinary tract infections.

Follow Good Bathroom And Diapering Habits

Some children simply dont urinate often enough. Children should urinate often and when they first feel the need to go. Bacteria can grow and cause an infection when urine stays in the bladder too long. Caregivers should change diapers often for infants and toddlers, and should clean the genital area well. Gentle cleansers that do not irritate the skin are best.

Your child should always wipe from front to back after urinating or having a bowel movement. This step is most important after a bowel movement to keep bacteria from getting into the urethra and bladder.

Option #: Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance

Have you taken all prescribed antibiotics but your symptoms are only getting worse? It could be that your bacteria are resistant to this type of drug.

You might have heard about superbug bacteria that withstand all available antibiotics. Well, increasingly, bacterial resistance is a real-life problem that physicians facing more often than before.

Here are the main signs that could signal that your bacteria are resistant to the prescribed medication:

You are feeling worse, while youve been taking antibiotics diligently for over 48 hours.
You are experiencing fever or nausea .

Realistically, you should feel much better by the third day of an antibiotic treatment, the bacterial load should be lowered, and therefore symptoms should subside, says Dr. Lisa Hawes even if not all symptoms resolved, you definitely should not have cloudiness, odor, or blood in your urine 48 hours after starting antibiotics.

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Will I Need An Intravenous Antibiotic For A Uti

If you are pregnant, have a high fever, or cannot keep food and fluids down, your doctor may admit you to the hospital so you can have treatment with intravenous antibiotics for a complicated UTI. You may return home and continue with oral antibiotics when your infection starts to improve.

In areas with fluoroquinolone resistance exceeding 10%, in patients with more severe pyelonephritis, those with a complicated UTI who have allergies to fluoroquinolones, or are unable to tolerate the drug class, intravenous therapy with an agent such as ceftriaxone, or an aminoglycoside, such as gentamicin or tobramycin, may be appropriate. Your ongoing treatment should be based on susceptibility data received from the laboratory.

What Is A Uti

How I Cleared Up my Urinary Tract Infection without Antibiotics ...

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria ends up in your urinary tract. Were not talking about the good kind of bacteriathe kind that keeps you alive and healthybut the bad kind like E. coli. This does not belong anywhere near your urethra or bladder, because when it does take up residence there, it can cause an infection.

UTIs generally fall into two categories:

Lower tract UTIs: These are concentrated in the urethra and bladder, a.k.a. the lower urinary tract. If located in the bladder, the UTI is called a bladder infection or cystitis. Lower UTIs make up the vast majority of UTIs and are easily treated with antibiotics.

Upper tract UTIs: These UTIs are more rare and serious. Upper tract UTIs usually occur when an untreated lower tract UTI spreads to the kidneys. A kidney infection requires medical intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Common lower tract UTI symptoms include:

Pain or burning sensation during urination
Having the urge to urinate frequently
Blood in the urine
Cramping or general discomfort in the lower abdomen

Upper tract UTIs share some of the same symptoms of lower tract UTIs, though more common symptoms are:

Lower back pain

Understanding what causes a UTI may help you prevent one before it happens. Here are the risk factors:

Age: Some evidence suggests that post-menopausal women are at higher risk for recurrent UTIs due to urinary incontinence and estrogen deficiency that naturally occurs after the menopause transition.

Also Check: Will A Urinary Infection Go Away On Its Own

How To Use Essential Oils For A Uti

Fighting UTIs with essential oils can be tricky. Using a diffuser to inhale essential oils is the recommended method.

If you choose to apply essential oils, you must dilute them before you apply them to your skin. To dilute an essential oil, place 1 to 5 drops in 1 ounce of a carrier oil.

Carrier oils include:

In order to avoid irritation, be aware that:

You shouldnt apply essential oils directly to the skin, always dilute them in a carrier oil.
The mixture of essential oil and carrier oil can be applied to areas around the inner thighs, mons pubis, and outside the labia.
You can also try blending a few of your favorite oils and using them in a hot compress placed on your lower abdomen. To do this, dilute one drop of essential oil with one drop of carrier oil.
You can use essential oils dropped into a diffuser for inhaling. Essential oils are meant to be inhaled in aromatherapy.

One essential oil thats helpful for any type of bacterial infection is a blend from Young Living called Citrus Fresh. This oil blends many different types of citrus oils, including orange peel, tangerine peel, grapefruit peel, lemon peel, and spearmint leaf extract. The blend of citrus oils is a powerful anti-bacterial agent.

Can Utis Be Prevented

These tips can help prevent UTIs:

School-age girls should avoid bubble baths and strong soaps that might cause irritation. They also should wear cotton underwear instead of nylon because its less likely to encourage bacterial growth.
All kids should be taught not to hold it when they have to go. Pee that stays in the bladder gives bacteria a good place to grow.
Kids should drink plenty of fluids but avoid those with caffeine.

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The Lowdown On Natural Treatments

D-mannose

D-mannose is a supplement made from a glucose-like sugar that you can find online or in health food stores. D-mannose is most helpful at preventing E. coli from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract, says Rice. D-mannose in recurrent urinary tract infections. . If taken with a lot of water, this can effectively flush out the bacteria that is causing the infection.

Rice often tells patients to take 500 milligrams every two to three hours when experiencing symptoms however, the best dose is individual. You can find more guidelines here, and when in doubt, a good rule of thumb is to follow the manufacturers guidelines. Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the day to help the D-mannose remove the bacteria. Again, if the symptoms persist more than 24 hours or get worse, get yourself to the doctor.

D-mannose isnt recommended for those with diabetes, and if youre taking other medications, you need to talk to a doctor before starting this treatment. Diarrhea is a common side effect.

Althaea officinalis, otherwise known as Marshmallow, is an anti-inflammatory herb widely available in powdered, supplement, and tea form. Althaea officinalis is a demulcent herb that can soothe and coat the lining of the urinary tract to help decrease inflammation, says Rice. Make a strong tea and sip throughout the day.

Uva-ursi

Just add water

Treatment Strategies For Recurrent Utis

PREVENTING AND TREATING UTI’S | Without antibiotics

Recurrent urinary tract infections, defined as three or more UTIs within 12 months, or two or more occurrences within six months, is very common among women these but arent treated exactly the same as standalone UTIs. One of the reasons: Continued intermittent courses of antibiotics are associated with allergic reactions, organ toxicities, future infection with resistant organisms, and more.

Because of this, its strongly recommended that you receive both a urinalysis and urine culture from your healthcare provider prior to initiating treatment. Once the results are in, the American Urological Association suggests that healthcare professionals do the following:

Use first-line treatments. Nitrofurantoin, TMP-SMX, and fosfomycin are the initial go-tos. However, specific drug recommendations should be dependent on the local antibiogram. An antibiogram is a periodic summary of antimicrobial susceptibilities that helps track drug resistance trends.
Repeat testing. If UTI symptoms persist after antimicrobial therapy, clinicians should repeat the urinalysis, urine culture, and antibiotic susceptibility testing to help guide further management.
Try vaginal estrogen. For peri- and post-menopausal women with recurrent UTIs, vaginal estrogen therapy is recommended to reduce risk of future UTIs.

What Is Urinary Tract Infection Or Uti

Infection in any part of the urinary system such as infection in the kidney, ureters, bladder, and urethra is known as Urinary Tract Infection . This disease happens when E. coli bacteria from the colon area invade part of your urinary tract.

This yeast infection in the urinary systems is normally caused by microbes such as bacteria in the urinary tract. They can badly affect the kidneys, bladder, and the tubes that run between them.

The urinary system can be divided into two parts, the upper urinary tract, and the lower urinary tract. Where the upper urinary tract consists of the kidneys and the ureters, and the lower urinary tract consists of the bladder and the urethra.

There are mainly three types of infection which depend on the parts it happened.

Bladder infection cystitis

Approximately, 8 million people visit the doctor every year because of UTI. This Infection can happen to anyone but its affects more in a woman. If you are a woman then you are 50% more at risk than a man.

Read Also: How To Test For Bladder Infection

What Is A Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary system. This type of infection can involve your urethra , kidneys or bladder, .

Your urine typically doesnt contain bacteria . Urine is a byproduct of our filtration systemthe kidneys. When waste products and excess water is removed from your blood by the kidneys, urine is created. Normally, urine moves through your urinary system without any contamination. However, bacteria can get into the urinary system from outside of the body, causing problems like infection and inflammation. This is a urinary tract infection .

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How Common Are Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are very common, occurring in 1 out of 5 women sometime in their lifetime. Though UTIs are common in women, they can also happen to men, older adults and children. One to 2% of children develop urinary tract infections. Each year, 8 million to 10 million visits to doctors are for urinary tract infections.

How To Cure Urinary Tract Infections Without Antibiotics

After experiencing a string of Urinary Tract Infections and being prescribed a new round of antibiotics each time, I decided to search for a natural remedy. The continuous use of antibiotics allows the development of bacteria that can grow resistant to the antibiotic. Plus, antibiotics get rid of both good and bad bacteria. Here are some natural cures for UTIs.

While searching for a natural remedy, I discovered two supplements, D-Mannose and Oil of Oregano.

Take An Otc Pain Reliever

Over-the-counter pain medications can temporarily relieve pain caused by a UTI. Use caution here, and always speak with a doctor first, as some UTIs can turn into kidney infections. In these cases, patients should avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which could make the infection worse.

The Best Course Of Action

For most sufferers, Ali advises the best course of action is to increase fluid intake, take appropriate pain relief and speak with a healthcare professional for further assessment of symptoms.

If symptoms persist for more than two days or include a fever, loin pain and/or nausea and vomiting it is important to see your GP for advice on whether antibiotics are required. Its also important to go back if youve been started on antibiotics and symptoms do not improve within 48 hours.

While some of the over-the-counter treatments may provide symptomatic relief, the 2018 NICE UTI guidelines state that there is no evidence found for cranberry products or urine alkalinising agents to treat UTI, he adds. However, theres a clinical trial showing the effectiveness of D-mannose. And grapefruit seed extract and oil of oregano have also been found to be beneficial.

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Cat Urinary Tract Infection Home Remedies

There are a number of home remedies that can be used to help treat a cat urinary tract infection. One of the most effective is to feed the cat a diet that is high in water content. This will help to flush out the bacteria that is causing the infection. Other home remedies include feeding the cat cranberry juice, which is thought to help acidify the urine and make it more difficult for bacteria to grow. You can also try giving the cat a small amount of plain yogurt, which contains live cultures that can help fight the infection. Finally, you can try giving the cat a supplement of vitamin C, which is thought to help boost the immune system.

Your cat may suffer from urinary tract infections , and there are many natural home remedies you can use to help prevent and even treat these infections. It is possible for a cat to become ill with a urinary tract infection to affect all parts of the cats urinary system, including its bladder, urethra, and kidneys. Bladder stones are commonly found in cats that have not had an examination for months or years. Urinary tract infections can occur as a result of bladder crystal irritation and pH abnormalities in the urine. Other conditions, such as weight gain, excess fluid in the body, and inflammatory bowel movements, can also put your cat at a higher risk of UTI. FIC is the most common urinary problem in cats. If cats have this urinary problem, they frequently urinate outside the litter box, which can cause blood to enter their urine.

Are There Natural At

Treating Urinary Tract Infections Naturally – Dr. Mark Ellerkmann – Mercy

Yes. While taking antibiotics is still considered the gold standard of UTI treatments, there are some things you can do at home that help relieve symptoms, as well. These include:

Drink plenty of water. Consuming at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily can help flush away UTI-causing bacteria, setting you up for a quicker recovery. Plus, the more you drink, the more youll have to urinate.
Urinate often. Each time you empty your bladder, youre helping to flush bacteria out of your system.
Try heat. Applying a heating pad to your pubic area for 15 minutes at a time can help soothe the pressure and pain caused by UTI-related inflammation and irritation.
Tweak your wardrobe. Wearing loose cotton clothing and underwear can help you recover from a UTI.
Go fragrance-free. Make sure your personal hygiene products are fragrance-free to sidestep further irritation, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Cut out certain irritants. Caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, raw onions, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, and nicotine can further irritate your bladder, making it more difficult for your body to heal, per the Cleveland Clinic.

Drink Plenty Of Water

Although urinating can be painful when you have a UTI, its important to drink as many fluids as possible particularly water. Most adults should aim to drink between six and eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.

The more you drink, the more youll urinate, which can help flush harmful bacteria from the urinary tract.

Try Drinking Some Unsweetened Cranberry Juice

While the research is a bit unclear, cranberries have been used as a prevention of UTI for generations. Studies have shown that cranberries actually make it harder for the bacteria that cause UTIs to stick to the urinary tract walls. So, while not really a remedy, if you frequently get UTIs, it might be worth drinking a couple of glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice, or snacking on the actual fruit .

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Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs are usually caused by bacteria from poo entering the urinary tract.

The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body .

Women have a shorter urethra than men. This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.

Things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:

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