How To Self Treat Urinary Tract Infection

Why Are Females At A Higher Risk For Utis

People with female reproductive organs are at a higher risk for UTIs because of their anatomy. The female urethra, the tube which empties urine from your bladder out of your body, is shorter than someone born with male anatomy.

The female urethra is also quite close to female reproductive organs. That means bacteria from sexual intercourse as well as products like spermicide can be in close contact with the urethra and bladder.

Females also experience menopause and pregnancy. These two biological events change the bacteria in your reproductive and digestive tracts and create conditions that make UTIs more likely.

Whats The Difference Between A Urinary Tract Infection And Bladder Infection

A urinary tract infection is a more general type of infection. There are many parts of your urinary tract. A UTI is a term for an infection that takes place throughout the urinary tract. A bladder infection, also called cystitis, is a specific infection. In this infection, bacteria makes its way into the bladder and causes inflammation.

Not all urinary tract infections become bladder infections. Preventing the spread of the infection is one of the most important reasons to treat a UTI quickly when you have symptoms. The infection can spread not only to the bladder, but also into your kidneys, which is a more complicated type of infection than a UTI.

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:

• E. coli, which cause of up to

• abnormal liver function, as indicated with testing

More severe risks of using antibiotics include:

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Top 10 Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infections In Males

Urinary tract infections are a very common problem among males. Antibiotics are the most common treatment to get rid of UTIs. But there are other ways, in the form of home remedies that help in curing bacterial infections .

Urinary tract infections can be more troublesome if they tend to recur. These bacterial infections tend to show discomforting symptoms in a person.

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.

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When To See A Doctor

In many cases, if you use home remedies at the very first sign of a urinary tract infection, you may not have to visit your doctor. However, if your symptoms continue for a day or more, you need to get qualified medical attention.

Dr. John P. Cunha on eMedicineHealth recommends seeing a doctor for symptoms of a urinary infection in the following circumstances:

• Your UTI symptoms last for more than 24 hours and dont get better with home remedies
• You have a fever and chills
• Along with the burning sensation when you urinate, you have nausea and vomiting
• You are pregnant, have diabetes, or are undergoing chemotherapy

Any toddler with a UTI, child or elderly person should always see a doctor if a bladder infection or other urinary infection is suspected.

A urine test that shows evidence of bacteria or germs usually is enough to confirm if treatment is needed for a UTI.

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Role Of The Pharmacist

It is imperative that pharmacists urge patients who present with UTI symptoms to consult with their healthcare provider as soon as possible to receive appropriate care. Pharmacists should counsel patients on nonpharmacologic treatments and present the option of nonprescription products and UTI home test kits. Patients who decide to use UTI home test kits should be advised on how to avoid inaccurate results and to discuss their results with their healthcare provider. Patients who decide to use OTC urinary tract analgesics should be counseled on the recommended maximum dosage and duration and on common AEs. It is imperative to remind patients that these products are intended only to provide relief of pain and other related symptoms until the healthcare provider is seen. These products do not eradicate bacteria or replace the use of antibiotic treatment, and they should not be used as monotherapy.

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Home Remedies For Uti

Detailed below are natural ways to prevent or address a UTI.

• Stay hydrated. Not drinking enough water every day causes many problems, including UTI. Drinking enough water eliminates waste from your bladder, dilutes urine, and helps your body retain nutrients. Consume six to eight glasses every day.
• Drink cranberry juice.Cranberry juice works best as a prevention instead of a cure. The drink has antioxidants that can prevent E. coli cells from attaching to the cells in the urinary tract.
• Use the bathroom regularly. Going when the urge arises helps flush out bacteria before you get a UTI.
• Use probiotics to keep your urinary tract healthy and free from harmful bacteria. Lactobacilli produce hydrogen peroxide in the urine, a potent antibacterial agent.
• Consume foods rich in vitamin C or take supplements. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that boosts your immunity. Vitamin C reacts with nitrates in your body and produces nitrogen oxide, a substance that helps eliminate bacteria.
• Wiping from front to back when using the bathroom. This keeps your urethra clean and free of E. coli.
• Proper sexual hygiene also helps reduce the risk of UTIs. Urinate before and after sexual encounters, wash genitals and use condoms.

To determine what bacteria is causing your UTI, get a urinalysis.

Follow a balanced diet, supplement with vitamin C and practice proper hygiene to prevent a UTI.

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.

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Why Antibiotics Are The Golden Standard

Urinary tract infections occur due to an external bacterial infection in the urinary tract of a body. The most common treatment option is a course of antibiotic therapy that targets the pathogens and the bacteria causing the infection.

The appropriate antibiotic course leads to higher symptomatic and bacteriological cure rates and significantly reduces the chances of reinfection. The types of antibiotics prescribed as the first line of treatment are based upon the type of bacteria found in your urine after the urine analysis, your health status, and the severity of the infection.

Practice Good Sexual Hygiene

Some sexual intercourse bacteria and other microbes into the urinary tract. Practicing good sexual hygiene can help to reduce this risk.

Examples of good sexual hygiene include:

• urinating before and immediately after sex
• using barrier contraception, such as a condom
• washing the genitals, especially the foreskin, before and after engaging in sexual acts or intercourse
• washing the genitals or changing condoms if switching from anal to vaginal sex
• ensuring that all sexual partners are aware of any current or past UTIs

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Do You Need To See A Doctor To Get Antibiotics For A Uti

You need to speak with your doctor or a licensed medical professional to be prescribed antibiotics for a UTI. This can usually be done in person, at the doctor, or over the phone.

If this is your first UTI or your symptoms are severe, it may be helpful to get treated in person. You may also want to consider an in-person visit with your healthcare professional to rule out sexually transmitted infections if you are sexually active or have multiple sexual partners.

Vitamin C Kills Harmful Bacteria

Foods and fruits rich in vitamin C boosts immunity and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria in the urinary tract. It also makes the urine acidic enough to kill the infection-cause. So, any man who is already suffering from urinary tract infection must have foods that are enriched with vitamin C. Mango, papaya, strawberries, watermelon, kiwi, grapefruit, orange, berries, pineapple, cantaloupe are some of the fruits that are the rich sources of vitamin C. Other than these, you should also make broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, and tomatoes integral to your regular diet. This way, you will keep yourself safe from the troubles of urinary tract infections.

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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.

Things You Can Do Yourself

To help ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection :

• takeparacetamolup to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature for people with a UTI, paracetamol is usually recommended over NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
• you can give childrenliquid paracetamol
• rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day
• avoid having sex

Some people take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products every day to prevent UTIs from happening, which may help. However, there’s no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.

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Cranberry And Blueberry Juice

Berries like cranberries and blueberries contain bioactive ingredients that may help to get rid of a UTI fast.

Cranberries are often mentioned as a remedy for treating recurring urinary tract infections. Does scientific research support the use of cranberry juice for UTIs?

The journal Advances in Nutrition reports that cranberries have unique properties with many health benefits. Various studies point to the fact that cranberry juice can help lower instances of UTIs by preventing bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract. It was found that women who consumed 300 mL cranberry juice daily had lower UTI infection rates.14

Other studies have shown that cranberry extract capsules could help to reduce occurrences of UTIs in some women by up to 70%. Some independent studies have shown that cranberry juice can help to treat recurring UTIs in children.14

However, some other studies have demonstrated mixed results. Therefore urologist Dr. Courtenay Moore says that taking cranberry juice for UTIs may help and cant hurt. So, it may be worth trying to increase the amount of cranberry juice you consume if you battle against a UTI.15

If you consume cranberries in a juice form, make sure it has a high content of fruit and the minimum amount of sugar possible.

How Long Does It Take For A Uti To Go Away Without Antibiotics

It can take around nine days for a UTI to go away with antibiotics. It could take longer to go away without antibiotics, but everyone is different. It’s important to remember that an untreated UTI could lead to complications like a bladder or kidney infection. Make sure to talk to a doctor if you’re experiencing UTI symptoms.

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You Can Look Out For The Following Symptoms To Confirm A Urinary Tract Infection:

• Burning like sensation while urinating
• Foul odor from the urine
• Very frequent urge to urinate
• Dark-colored urine
• Uneasiness because of the incomplete passage of urine out of the body

To your surprise, the home remedies for urinary tract infections are quite simple to bring in effect. So, lets begin with the best home remedies to use for curing urinary tract infections in males.

What Can I Give My Dog For A Urinary Tract Infection

Before giving your pup something for a UTI, you should go to a vet sooner rather than later. If you wait too long to visit a vet, your pup could experience tremendous pain.

A vet will probably recommend several over-the-counter medications for treating UTIs in pups. A few effective over-the-counter treatment options are apple cider vinegar, citrus juice, cranberry juice, cranberry pills, Vitamin C, probiotic/prebiotic supplements, cranberries, and blueberries.

In addition, a long, warm bath is a great treatment option for UTIs in dogs. Make sure that your pup also drinks plenty of water to flush out the infection.

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What Causes A Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections are caused by microorganisms usually bacteria that enter the urethra and bladder, causing inflammation and infection. Though a UTI most commonly happens in the urethra and bladder, bacteria can also travel up the ureters and infect your kidneys.

More than 90% of bladder infection cases are caused by E. coli, a bacterium normally found in the intestines.

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.

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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 .

Can Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar Treat Utis

Studies, such as one published in January 2018 in Scientific Reports, have shown that apple cider vinegar has some antibacterial and antifungal properties, but theres no scientific or medical evidence that drinking apple cider vinegar cures UTIs. Drinking large amounts of apple cider vinegar could lead to throat irritation and tooth decay.

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Why Do Women Get Urinary Tract Infections More Often Than Men

Women tend to get urinary tract infections more often than men because bacteria can reach the bladder more easily in women. The urethra is shorter in women than in men, so bacteria have a shorter distance to travel.

The urethra is located near the rectum in women. Bacteria from the rectum can easily travel up the urethra and cause infections. Bacteria from the rectum is more likely to get into the urethra if you wipe from back to front after a bowel movement. Be sure to teach children how to wipe correctly.

Having sex may also cause urinary tract infections in women because bacteria can be pushed into the urethra. Using a diaphragm can lead to infections because diaphragms push against the urethra and make it harder to completely empty your bladder. The urine that stays in the bladder is more likely to grow bacteria and cause infections.

Frequent urinary tract infections may be caused by changes in the bacteria in the vagina. Antibacterial vaginal douches, spermicides, and certain oral antibiotics may cause changes in vaginal bacteria. Avoid using these items, if possible. Menopause can also cause changes in vaginal bacteria that increase your risk for urinary tract infection. Taking estrogen usually corrects this problem but may not be for everyone.

Can I Become Immune To The Antibiotics Used To Treat A Uti

Your body can actually get used to the antibiotics typically used to treat a urinary tract infection . This happens in people who have very frequent infections. With each UTI and use of antibiotics to treat it, the infection adapts and becomes harder to fight. This is called an antibiotic-resistant infection. Because of this, your healthcare provider may suggest alternative treatments if you have frequent UTIs. These could include:

• Waiting: Your provider may suggest that you watch your symptoms and wait. During this time, you may be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids in an effort to flush out your system.
• Intravenous treatment: In some very complicated cases, where the UTI is resistant to antibiotics or the infection has moved to your kidneys, you may need to be treated in the hospital. The medicine will be given to you directly in your vein . Once youre home, you will be prescribed antibiotics for a period of time to fully get rid of the infection.

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