Friday, April 26, 2024

How Do You Cure A Urinary Tract Infection Without Antibiotics

Must read

Wipe From Front To Back

Home remedies for urinary tract infection or UTI (urine infection)

UTIs can develop when bacteria from the rectum or feces gain access to the urethra. This small channel allows urine to flow out of the body.

Once bacteria are in the urethra, they can travel up into other urinary tract organs, where they can cause infections.

Dont Miss: What Medicine For Tooth Infection

Benefits Of Antibiotics For Utis

Antibiotics are the standard treatment for UTIs because they kill the bacteria responsible for the infections. Most UTIs develop when bacteria enter the urinary tract from outside the body. The species most likely to cause UTIs include:

More severe risks of using antibiotics include:

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.

You May Like: How To Read Walgreens Urinary Tract Infection Test Strips

/8cranberries May Help Prevent Utis

Although there is no conclusive research to suggest cranberries can treat or prevent UTI, some studies have indicated that unsweetened cranberry juice, cranberry supplements, or dried cranberries can reduce the risk of UTIs.

This is because cranberries contain proanthocyanidins , which may stop bacteria from sticking to your urinary tract lining.

How To Treat A Cat’s Uti

home remedies for UTI: apple cider vinegar, indian gooseberry (amla ...

This article was co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD. Dr. Baker is a Veterinarian and PhD candidate in Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Baker received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin in 2016, and went on to pursue a PhD through her work in the Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory.There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 80,351 times.

UTI stands for urinary tract infection, an infection which can occur in felines as well as humans. Treating a UTI without the use of antibiotics is difficult, if not impossible. If you try to clear an infection and only partially succeed, you run the risk of suppressing the symptoms, whilst bacteria are still present. This could lead to a long-term infection that could potentially damage your cat’s health. A low grade urinary infection is a ticking time bomb, because the bacteria could travel up to the kidney and cause a more serious infection. When possible, always seek veterinary attention and an appropriate course of antibiotics.

Also Check: How You Know If You Have A Urinary Tract Infection

Home Remedies For Utis

Until there are more advancements in UTI treatment, antibiotics remain the most effective standard treatment. However, prescription medication doesnt have to be the only line of defense.

Along with standard therapy, you can incorporate home remedies to feel better sooner and reduce the likelihood of recurrent infections.

Recommended Reading: Why Am I Having Urinary Incontinence

How To Cure Urinary Tract Infection Without Antibiotics

Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infection Treatment Drink one glass juice of cranberry daily until you get relief from UTI, over the counter remedies and your bodys natural healing powers, accounting for about 8.1 million visits to health care providers each year in the United States.Direct cost of treatment is estimated at $1.6 billion yearly.

You May Like: Home Remedies For Urinary Retention In Females

Recommended Reading: Urinary Tract Infection Pills Walmart

Best Remedies For Bladder Infections

About bladder infections

Bladder infections are the most common type of urinary tract infection . They can develop when bacteria enter the urethra and travel into the bladder.

The urethra is the tube that takes urine out of the body. Once bacteria go into the urethra, they can attach to the walls of the bladder and multiply quickly.

The resulting infection can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as the sudden urge to urinate. It may also cause pain while urinating and abdominal cramping.

A combination of medical and home treatments may ease these symptoms. If left untreated, bladder infections can become life-threatening. This is because the infection can spread to the kidneys or blood.

Here are seven effective bladder infection remedies.

Hormonal Therapy As A Recurrent Uti Treatment Without Antibiotics

Mayo Clinic Minute: Treating Urinary Tract Infections

Another option for UTI treatment without antibiotics includes hormonal therapy.

Dr. Girard stresses how having healthy hormones will support the rest of the body. Considering this, she firstly looks at which of her patients symptoms may indicate hormone imbalance. She then typically compliments that with testing. From there, she decides whether the patient needs to take estrogen, progesterone, or both.

It is important for hormonal therapy to be individualized, and to consider whether a patient is pre- or post-menopause. While most of the current research in this area focuses on post-menopausal patients, estrogen levels can start to decline in women as young as 38. In this case, hormonal therapy is a viable option for UTI treatment without antibiotics and UTI prevention.

Dr. Girard explains that there is not sufficient research to say for certain, but overall it seems that bioidentical hormones are safer than non-bioidentical ones. There is an increased risk of stroke associated with conventional hormones, but Dr. Girard stresses that this is very slight. If a patient is finding conventional hormonal therapy to be successful and they are being monitored by their healthcare practitioner, then this slight risk may be justified. However, generally, she supports the use of bioidentical hormones since they may be the next best thing to the hormones naturally present in our bodies.

Read Also: Treatment For Urinary Incontinence In Elderly Male

Heres Potentially Good News For The Many Women And Others Who Have Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections New Research Reveals A Possibly Way To Tackle These Infections Without Antibiotics In This Episode Of Newsmds Health Fusion Viv Williams Checks Out What Researchers Are Saying About The Possibility

Itching, burning, bloody urine and the need to frequently pee. Those are symptoms of a urinary tract infection .

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and Washington University School of Medicine say that UTIs are not only common, but theyre also often recurrent and give rise to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

So they looked for a new way to treat the infections. They learned that most UTIs are caused by one type of bacteria. They also found out how they body protects good cells while getting rid of the bad bacteria. Thats the process they focused on. They say a certain type of medication already used to treat multiple sclerosis may speed the process of protecting the bladder while getting rid of the bacteria.

They say this is huge because many people, especially women, have recurrent UTIs, which can cause muscle damage over time. The new approach, while not ready for use in people yet, could lead the way to new treatments that can stop infections prevent damage without antibiotics.

The study was published in the journal Cell Reports.

Follow the Health Fusion podcast on Apple , Spotify , and Podcasts.

What Happens If Urinary Tract Infection Untreated

The main danger associated with untreated UTIs is that the infection may spread from the bladder to one or both kidneys. When bacteria attack the kidneys, they can cause damage that will permanently reduce kidney function. In people who already have kidney problems, this can raise the risk of kidney failure.

Also Check: Science Diet For Urinary Problems

Uti Causes And Symptoms

A UTI, or urinary tract infection, is caused by organisms that are too small to be seen without a microscope, including fungi, viruses and bacteria. Despite the bodys many natural defenses, certain bacteria have the ability to attach themselves to the lining of the urinary tract and inhabit the urethra, bladder and kidneys. The majority of UTI cases are caused by E. colibacterium that can live in the bowel and vaginal cavities, around the urethral opening, and in the urinary tract.

Other significant pathogens that can cause UTIs include Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Klebsiella pneumonia. In diabetic patients, Klebsiella and group B streptococcus infections are more common. Pseudomonas infections are more common in chronically catheterized patients.

Urinary tract infections are extremely common, especially among sexually active women ages 18 to 24. Although a UTI isnt typically complicated or life-threatening, it does cause pain and suffering and negatively impacts ones quality of life.

Generally, symptoms of a UTI in adults may include:

  • pain when urinating
  • a burning sensation in the bladder or urethra when urinating
  • a strong, frequent urge to urinate, but only passing small amounts
  • urine that appears red or bright pink
  • strong-smelling urine
  • people with suppressed immune systems
  • people with diabetes

Precautions Regarding UTIs and Home Remedies for UTI

Final Thoughts on Home Remedies for UTI

Should I Take Pain Relievers For Utis

UTI in Kids: 15 Home Remedies for UTI in Children

UTIs are painful and its super tempting to reach for pain relievers at the first sign of infection I get it. That said, I personally dont like to use pain relieving products when I have a UTI.

The reason?

Its easy to under-treat the infection when you dont feel symptoms. Its also easy to fail to seek other treatment quickly if the method you selected isnt working. Either of these scenarios can lead to developing a kidney infection, which is much more serious and requires an immediate trip to the doctor.

I would much rather deal with the irritation of the UTI than to have a false sense of security about the status of the infection.

On a personal note: Ive had UTIs spread to my kidneys twice . My kidney infections required serious courses of antibiotics to treat. In BOTH CASES, I had finished my course of antibiotics for the bladder infection, yet the infection still managed to spread to my kidneys. This just goes to show you that you cant assume that antibiotics will always treat a UTI.

Recommended Reading: Food For Urinary Tract Infection

Are Bananas Good For Utis

The American Urological Association calls bananas a bladder-friendly food. Thats because bananas arent likely to irritate the bladder in most people. Other bladder-friendly fruits and veggies include: pears, green beans, winter squash, and potatoes. While eating bananas may help to lessen bladder irritation, eating bananas alone wont make a UTI go away.

How Do I Know If My Uti Is Now A Kidney Infection

A kidney infection is, in essence, a UTI that has spread into the kidneys. While this type of infection is rare, it’s also very dangerous and if you’re experiencing any of the following signs of a kidney infection, you should see a doctor immediately: Upper back or side pain. Fever, shaking or chills.

Recommended Reading: Can An Iud Cause Urinary Tract Infections

What Oral Antibiotics Are Used To Treat An Uncomplicated Uti In Women

The following oral antibiotics are commonly used to treat most uncomplicated UTI infections :

Your doctor will choose your antibiotic based on your history, type of UTI, local resistance patterns, and cost considerations. First-line options are usually selected from nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. Amoxicillin/clavulanate and certain cephalosporins, for example cefpodoxime, cefdinir, or cefaclor may be appropriate options when first-line options cannot be used.

Length of treatment for cystitis can range from a single, one-time dose, to a course of medication over 5 to 7 days. Kidney infections may require injectable treatment, hospitalization, as well as a longer course of antibiotic, depending upon severity of the infection.

Sometimes a UTI can be self-limiting in women, meaning that the body can fight the infection without antibiotics however, most uncomplicated UTI cases can be treated quickly with a short course of oral antibiotics. Never use an antibiotic that has been prescribed for someone else.

In men with symptoms that do not suggest a complicated UTI, treatment can be the same as women. In men with complicated UTIs and/or symptoms of prostatitis are not present, men can be treated for 7 days with a fluoroquinolone . Tailor therapy once urine cultures are available.

Dont Miss: What Side Is The Bladder On

Treatment From A Gp For Utis That Keep Coming Back

PREVENTING AND TREATING UTI’S | Without antibiotics

If your UTI comes back after treatment, you may have a urine test and be prescribed different antibiotics.

Your doctor or nurse will also offer advice on how to prevent UTIs.

If you keep getting UTIs and regularly need treatment, a GP may give you a repeat prescription for antibiotics.

If you have been through the menopause, you may be offered a vaginal cream containing oestrogen.

Recommended Reading: Nasal Spray For Urinary Incontinence

What Are Three 3 Signs Or Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections don’t always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include:

  • A strong, persistent urge to urinate.
  • A burning sensation when urinating.
  • Passing frequent, small amounts of urine.
  • Urine that appears cloudy.
  • Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored a sign of blood in the urine.

What Are The Other Urinary Symptoms Of Menopause

The states that throughout menopause, the lining of the urethra becomes thinner. This can lead to urinary incontinence.

The North American Menopause Society explains that there are two main types of urinary incontinence. These are:

  • Stress incontinence: This is when the bladder leaks when a person laughs or sneezes. It often starts during perimenopause but does not usually get any worse as the person progresses through the transition.
  • Urge incontinence: This is a sudden and urgent need to urinate, also known as overactive bladder. The muscles may not be able to stop the flow of urine completely, causing leakage.

Treatments are available, and various exercises designed to strengthen the pelvic floor for example, Kegel exercises can help. Doctors may also prescribe medications or surgical treatments.

Sometimes, home remedies and increased water consumption can flush bacteria out of the bladder before an infection takes hold.

However, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases says that anyone experiencing nausea or vomiting, fever, or severe pain in the back alongside bladder-related symptoms should seek medical advice. This combination of symptoms can be a sign of a kidney infection.

The UCF adds that anyone with blood in their urine should see a doctor as soon as possible. Although this can be a sign of a UTI, it is also a marker for other urinary tract problems.

Read Also: Malignant Neoplasm Of Urinary Bladder Unspecified Site

When You Need Themand When You Dont

Antibiotics are medicines that can kill bacteria. Doctors often use antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections . The main symptoms of UTIs are:

  • A burning feeling when you urinate.
  • A strong urge to urinate often.

However, many older people get UTI treatment even though they do not have these symptoms. This can do more harm than good. Heres why:

Antibiotics usually dont help when there are no UTI symptoms.

Older people often have some bacteria in their urine. This does not mean they have a UTI. But doctors may find the bacteria in a routine test and give antibiotics anyway.

The antibiotic does not help these patients.

  • It does not prevent UTIs.
  • It does not help bladder control.
  • It does not help memory problems or balance.

Most older people should not be tested or treated for a UTI unless they have UTI symptoms. And if you do have a UTI and get treated, you usually dont need another test to find out if you are cured. You should only get tested or treated if UTI symptoms come back.

Antibiotics have side effects.

Antibiotics can have side effects, such as fever, rash, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, tendon ruptures, and nerve damage.

Antibiotics can cause future problems.

Antibiotics can kill friendly germs in the body. This can lead to vaginal yeast infections. It can also lead to other infections, and severe diarrhea, hospitalization, and even death.

Antibiotics can be a waste of money.

When should older people take antibiotics for a UTI?

10/2013

Fruit Seeds May Contain Anticancer Properties

Pin by Sarahann on draw in 2020

Cranberries contain antioxidant compounds called ‘proanthocyanins’ which prevent bacteria sticking to the walls of the urinary tract and multiplying. This also makes it easier for bacteria to be flushed out of the system. In addition, it is thought that cranberries help to deodorize urine.

300 mg to 400 mg of pure cranberry tablets, twice daily, is recommended by The American Academy of Family Physicians.

It also recommends 8 ounces of unsweetened cranberry juice 3 times per day as an alternative.

2. Raw Garlic

Garlic has been used for centuries because of its natural antibiotic properties and is a popular home remedy for urinary tract infections.

Add 2 mashed cloves to 8 ounces of hot water and steep for 5 – 10 minutes. Drink 2 cups per day until the symptoms disappear.

Alternatively, mix a few drops of olive oil into 2 well-mashed cloves and swallow directly with a spoon. The oil is there to protect the stomach.

And, of course, you can add fresh garlic to as much food as you can, e.g., dips, dressings, salads, etc.

3. Parsley Infusion

Parsley has many adherents when it comes to treating urinary tract infections. It has natural diuretic properties which helps to increase urine flow and so flush bacteria out of the urinary tract.

It contains apiol, a volatile oil that acts as an antiseptic, helping to kill or inhibit bacteria in the urinary tract .

It also has natural anti-inflammatory properties to help ease the inflammation and pain of UTI.

4. Probiotics

5. Baking Soda

Read Also: How Do You Get An E Coli Urinary Tract Infection

More articles

Popular Articles