How To Treat A Urinary Tract Infection In Females

What Are The Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection

Mayo Clinic Minute: Treating Urinary Tract Infections

These are the most common symptoms of a UTI:

Frequent urination
Despite an strong urge to urinate, only a small amount of urine is passed
Women may feel an uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone

The symptoms of UTI may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see a health care provider for a diagnosis.

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Practice Healthy Hygiene Habits

Preventing UTIs starts with practicing a few good bathroom and hygiene habits.

First, its important not to hold your urine for too long. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria, resulting in infection.

Peeing after sexual intercourse can also of UTIs by preventing the spread of bacteria.

Additionally, those who are prone to UTIs should avoid using spermicide, as it has been linked to an increase in UTIs.

Finally, when using the toilet especially if you have a female urethra make sure you wipe front to back. Wiping from back to front can to the urinary tract and is associated with an increased risk of UTIs.

Benefits of healthy hygiene for UTI

Urinating frequently and after sexual intercourse can reduce the risk of UTI. Careful wiping when you use the toilet may also help decrease the risk of UTI.

Several natural supplements may decrease the risk of developing a UTI.

Here are a few supplements that have been studied and are all available in capsule form:

D-Mannose.D-Mannose is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries. Research suggests its effective in treating UTIs and preventing recurrence.
Cranberry extract. Like cranberry juice, cranberry extract works by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.
Garlic extract. shows garlic and garlic extract to have antimicrobial properties, so they it may be able to block the growth of bacteria to prevent UTIs.

Herbal Remedies For Uti

There are several herbal remedies, which are also used to cure a urinary tract infection:

1. Uva Ursi: this herb contains a compound, known as arbutin, which kills the bacteria present in the lining of the urinary passage. It also helps in stimulating urination.

Note: Children, nursing or pregnant women, and people with liver or kidney disease should not take this herb.

2. Horsetail is a good diuretic, which aids in the proper urine flow as well as stops bleeding during urinary tract infections.

3. Echinacea works as a natural antibiotic. Therefore, it helps to fight against the viruses and bacteria that are the main cause of infection in the urinary tract.

4. Parsley seeds are also helpful in treating urinary tract infection as it reduces the inflammation and pain caused due to the UTI.

5. Mullein: another effective herb for treating the inflammation caused due to the UTI is Mullein.

6. Horseradish is a natural antibiotic, which is good for controlling the infection of the urinary tract.

7. Goldenseal: the compound berberine found in this herb stops bacteria from sticking to the urethra walls.

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What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Utis

UTIs can cause such signs as:

pain, burning, or a stinging sensation when peeing
an increased urge or more frequent need to pee
waking up at night a lot to go to the bathroom
belly pain in the area of the bladder
foul-smelling pee that may look cloudy or contain blood

If you have any symptoms of a UTI, you’ll need to go to a doctor right away. The sooner you begin treatment, the less uncomfortable you’ll be. Call your doctor’s office or clinic. If you can’t reach your doctor, you can visit an urgent care center or hospital emergency room. The most important thing is to take action as soon as possible.

How Long Do Utis Last

With antibiotic treatment, symptoms of a UTI typically improve within 2 to 4 days.

But this can vary depending on many factors, including how quickly you receive treatment, the severity of your infection, and whether or not any complications arise.

Keep in mind that the course of antibiotics should be completed for UTI symptoms to completely resolve and prevent recurrent infections.

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Can You Get Rid Of A Uti Naturally At Home Or Do You Need Antibiotics

Sometimes, you can get rid of a UTI naturally by resting, drinking lots of water, taking dietary supplements, and giving the infection some time to heal. Research from 2017 suggests that somewhere between 25% and 42% of UTIs resolve naturally without the use of antibiotics.

However, there are certain situations where wait and see just isnt an acceptable approach. Untreated UTIs can cause potentially life threatening complications, including .

What Is The Definition Of A Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection is an infection that can occur in any area of the urinary tract, including the ureters, bladder, kidneys, or urethra. Bladder infections and urethra infections are most common.

There are two categories of urinary tract infections: simple and complicated.

Simple UTIs occur in healthy people with normal urinary tracts. This type of UTI occurs most frequently in women. Cystitis is another name for a urinary tract infection.
Complicated UTIs occur in individuals with abnormal urinary tracts or when underlying medical conditions make treatment failure more likely. Men and children are more likely to have this type of UTI.

Some individuals have bacteria in their urine without signs and symptoms . These patients may not need antibiotic treatment and should discuss treatment options with their doctor.

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Creating Stronger Strains Of Bacteria

Over time, some species of bacteria have become resistant to traditional antibiotics. According to some research , several species of E. coli, the primary cause of UTIs, are showing increasing drug resistance.

The more a person uses an antibiotic, the greater the risk of the bacteria developing resistance. This is even more likely when people do not follow a doctors instructions to complete the full prescribed course of treatment.

It is essential to continue a course of antibiotics until the end date that the doctor provides. People should also never share antibiotics with others.

What To Expect At Your Provider’s Office

UTI symptoms in Women, How to treat urinary tract infection?

Your health care provider will feel your abdomen and kidneys for changes and use laboratory tests, such as a urine culture, to find out if you have a UTI. If the usual treatments do not work, your provider will explore the possibility that you have some other condition. Other illnesses, such as sexually transmitted diseases , can cause symptoms that mimic a UTI.

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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.

Seattle Children’s Urgent Care Locations

If your childs illness or injury is life-threatening, call 911.

Treatment for a Bladder Infection

What You Should Know about Bladder Infections:

Bladder infections are common in girls.

Most infections do not respond to the first dose of an antibiotic.

Often the bladder symptoms do not improve the first day.

Here is some care advice that should help.

Keep Giving the Antibiotic by Mouth:

UTIs need a prescription antibiotic. It will kill the bacteria that are causing the bladder infection.

Give it as directed.

Try not to forget any of the doses.

Give the antibiotic until it is gone. Reason: To keep the bladder infection from flaring up again.

Prevention of Bladder Infections in Girls

Tips for How to Prevent UTIs in Girls:

When your child bathes, clean the genital area with warm water. Soap is not needed for young girls.

Don’t use bubble bath, shampoo or other soaps in the bath water. Reason: They are irritants.

Keep bath time less than 10 minutes. Your child also should pass urine right after baths.

Teach your daughter to wipe herself correctly from front to back after a stool.

Drink enough fluids each day to keep the urine light-colored.

Pass urine at least every 4 hours during the day and avoid “holding back.”

Wear cotton panties. Reason: To allow the skin to breathe. Your child doesn’t need to wear panties during the night.

Avoid constipation.

You have other questions or concerns

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Avoid Bladder Irritating Foods When You Have A Uti

Certain foods are known bladder irritants citrus or very acidic foods, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, alcohol these can all irritate the bladder, leading to bladder leaks. And, if you currently have a UTI, they may affect you even more. Try to watch out for these common bladder irritants to prevent further irritation to your bladder and UTI.

How Common Are Urinary Tract Infections

10 Effective Natural Cures for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

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.

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Questions To Ask Your Doctor

Do I need any tests, such as urinalysis?
What is the likely cause of my urinary tract infection ?
Do I need medicine? How should I take it?
What are the possible side effects of the medicine?
When should I expect relief from my symptoms?
What symptoms would indicate that my infection is getting worse? What should I do if I experience these symptoms?
I get UTIs a lot. What can I do to prevent them?
Do I need preventive antibiotics? If so, should I be concerned about antibiotic resistance?
My child gets UTIs a lot. Could an anatomical problem be causing his or her UTIs?

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Preventive Measures For Urinary Tract Ifections

Drink lots of water.
Urinate immediately every time after you have sexual intercourse with your partner.
Donât hold back urine as it may also cause the bacteria to stick.
Wear cotton panties.
Have a balanced and nutritious diet.
Avoid bathing in a bathtub as it may provide a site for the bacteria to grow
Avoid douching and scented pads.
After using the toilet, always wipe in the direction of front to back as this may avoid any germs from getting into the urethral opening.
Wash your hands properly every time after you use the toilet.
Avoid alcohol or caffeinated drinks when you are suffering from the UTI.

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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.

Im Pregnant How Will A Uti Affect My Baby

How to CURE urinary tract infection? (UTI) – Doctor explains

If you have a UTI and it isnt treated, it may lead to a kidney infection. Kidney infections may cause early labor. Fortunately, asymptomatic bacteriuria and bladder infections are usually found and treated before the kidneys become infected. If your doctor treats a urinary tract infection early and properly, it wont hurt your baby.

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When To Visit A Doctor For Uti

You should call your doctor if you have frequent urination, an intense urge to urinate or discomfort during the urination or other symptoms of the urinary tract infection.

You should seek medical attention if you have symptoms of the kidney like nausea, vomiting, and pain in the lower back. If you are pregnant then you should call your doctor immediately.

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How Is A Urinary Tract Infection In Men Diagnosed

Your doctor based on your symptoms, physical examination, and the results of laboratory tests of your urine will diagnose urinary tract infection. In a typical urinary tract infection, your doctor will see both white blood cells and bacteria when they examine your urine under a microscope. Your doctor will send your urine to a lab to identify certain types of bacteria and antibiotics that can be used to destroy the bacteria.

In men, a rectal exam will allow your doctor to evaluate the size and shape of the prostate gland. If you are a young man with no signs of an enlarged prostate, your doctor may order additional tests to look for a urinary tract abnormality that increases the chance of infection. This is because urinary tract infections are rare in young men with normal urinary tracts.

Additional tests include, intravenous pyelography, which includes film of your kidneys, may include a computed tomography scan or ultrasound that shows the outline of your urinary tract with the help of X-rays. In some cases, cystoscopy may also be required. cystoscopy, it is an examination method that allows your doctor to examine the inside of your bladder using a thin, hollow tube-like instrument.

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Treatment Of Recurrent Utis

Some people develop recurring urinary tract infections and may require further testing to determine the cause. Treatment may include longer doses of antibiotics or more potent doses of antibiotics delivered intravenously. Recurrent UTIs may be a symptom of a more chronic problem and require further examination by a trained urologist.

References

Couling, R. . Managing lower UTI in adults in the community. Nurse Prescribing. 6, 485-489.

Huang, C.-H. et al. . Cranberry-Containing Products for Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections in Susceptible PopulationsA Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Archives of Internal Medicine. 172:988-996.

OShea, L. . Diagnosing urinary tract infections. Practice Nurse. 40, 20-25.

Riley, J. . Urinary tract infection. Conditions and Procedures in Brief, 1-3.

Stapleton, A.E. et al. . Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection and Urinary Escherichia coli in Women Ingesting Cranberry Juice Daily: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 87:143-150.

Urinary tract infection. . Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from .

Urinary tract infectionCauses. . University of Maryland Medical Center.

Urinary tract infections in adults. . National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information. Publication No. 122097.

How to Treat Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Naturally

Urinary tract infections typically respond very well to treatment. A UTI can be uncomfortable before you start treatment, but once your healthcare provider identifies the type of bacteria and prescribes the right antibiotic medication, your symptoms should improve quickly. Its important to keep taking your medication for the entire amount of time your healthcare provider prescribed. If you have frequent UTIs or if your symptoms arent improving, your provider may test to see if its an antibiotic-resistant infection. These are more complicated infections to treat and may require intravenous antibiotics or alternative treatments.

What Causes Urinary Tract Infections

Normal urine is sterile and contains fluids, salts, and waste products. It does not contain bacteria, viruses, or fungi. A UTI occurs when germs, most often bacteria from the digestive tract, get into the opening of the urethra and start to multiply.

Most UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria, which normally live in the colon.

What Are Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infections

An individual should always have a urinary tract infection diagnosed and treated by a health care professional, but there are some home remedies to try that may ease symptoms and help prevent future UTIs.

Drink plenty of water. Medical professionals recommend that you drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day.
Reduce or eliminate processed foods, fruit juices, alcohol, and sugar.
Use a heating pad.
Take non-antibiotic supplements such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, and zinc to help boost the immune system. Talk to a doctor to determine the right dose.

Cranberry juice, cranberry products, and other herbal remedies containing cranberry are widely touted as helping prevent bladder infections , however, the current evidence does not fully support this.

Probiotics such as lactobacillus and acidophilus may help to protect against infections in the urinary tract, however, more studies are needed to definitively determine their efficacy.

Drinking a mixture of 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar plus 3 tablespoons of water is also touted as a natural remedy to cure a urinary tract infection. Some believe that the acidity of the vinegar will create a more acidic urine, which will help slow or stop the growth of bacteria. However, more acidic urine may cause a burning sensation when you urinate. Talk to your health care provider before trying this or any other home remedy to treat a UTI.

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Consider Switching Birth Control

Some older research suggests that certain contraceptives may contribute to the cause of UTIs in some women.

If you use diaphragms, spermicides, or nonlubricated condoms and get frequent UTIs, it may be worth talking to your doctor to find other methods of birth control.

Its not uncommon for UTIs to go away on their own with at-home care and without the use of antibiotics.

Some research estimates that 25 to 42 percent of UTIs can go away on their own. This is usually only common in women with no other health issues.

However, there are some serious risks that can come from leaving a UTI untreated, including pyelonephritis and .

UTIs are painful, but with treatment, you can alleviate an infection and prevent recurrent infections. Talk with your doctor if you have symptoms of a UTI. With proper treatment, you should begin to feel better in a few days.

Take your antibiotics as instructed even after your symptoms improve to prevent complications or a secondary infection.

If the UTI doesnt resolve after antibiotic treatment or you end up with multiple episodes of a UTI, your doctor will likely do further testing.

This could be in the form of:

urodynamic testing

You may be referred to a urologist, depending on the severity of your UTI or if you have chronic infections.

Certain strains of bacteria can cause UTIs. They can range from mild to severe. The degree of severity depends on multiple factors, including:

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