Over The Counter Pain Relief For Urinary Tract Infection

What Is A Urinary Tract Infection

If you have ever experienced the frequent urge to go the bathroom with painful and burning urination, you have probably experienced a urinary tract infection . UTIs are one of the most common types of infections, accounting for over 10 million visits to health care providers each year. Roughly 40% of women experience a UTI at some time, and in women, it is the most common infection. Healthcare costs related to UTIs exceed $1.6 billion per year.

A urinary tract infection can happen anywhere along your urinary tract, which includes the kidneys , the ureters , the bladder , or the urethra . Most UTIs occur in the bladder and urethra. Common symptoms include frequent need to urinate, burning while urinating, and pain in lower abdomen area.

There are different types of UTIs based on where the bacteria goes. A lower urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria gets into the urethra and is deposited up into the bladder this is called cystitis. Infections that get past the bladder and up into the kidneys are called pyelonephritis.

Urinary tract infection symptoms may include:

• Pain or burning upon urination
• A frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Passing small amounts of urine
• Blood in the urine or or pink-stained urine
• Urines that looks cloudy
• Strong-smelling urine
• Pain, cramping in the pelvis or pubic bone area, especially in women

Upper UTIs which include the kidney may also present with symptoms of fever, chills, back or side pain, and nausea or vomiting.

What Other Information Should I Know

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to phenazopyridine.

Phenazopyridine can interfere with laboratory tests, including urine tests for glucose and ketones. If you have diabetes, you should use Clinitest rather than Tes-Tape or Clinistix to test your urine for sugar. Urine tests for ketones may give false results. Before you have any tests, tell the laboratory personnel and doctor that you take this medication.

Phenazopyridine stains clothing and contact lenses. Avoid wearing contact lenses while taking this medicine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Your prescription is probably not refillable.

If you still have symptoms after you finish the phenazopyridine, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

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Smelly Or Cloudy Urine

Ramin said that sometimes, one of the early signs of an impending UTI is a distinctly unusual smell or cloudy appearance of your urine. If you suddenly notice a foul or otherwise unusual smell to it, this may indicate a urinary tract infection or urinary stones, especially if the smell is also accompanied by a cloudy appearance.

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Azo Urinary Pain Relief Maximum Strength

Active Ingredients:

• Interest Based Ads

Helps inhibit the progression of infection until you see a health care professional. AZO is not intended to replace medical care.

The AZO brand portfolio of products is the #1 Most Trusted Brand per Nielsen data through 8/6/16 and the 2016 Pharmacy Times Survey .

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AZO Urinary Pain Relief®, AZO Urinary Tract DefenseTM, AZO Cranberry®, AZO Test Strips®, AZO Yeast®, and AZO Bladder Control® are trademarks of DSM.

Pacran® is a trademark of Naturex.

Go-Less® is a registered trademark of Frutarom.

Synetrim® CQ is a trademark of Icon Group, LLC and is protected under U.S. Patent 7,175,859.

What Is The Best Medication For A Uti

There is no one universal UTI medication thatâs best for everyone. Individual symptoms and responses to treatment vary. A doctor can determine the best medication for a UTI based on an individualâs symptoms, medical history, and response to treatments. Hereâs an overview of popular UTI medications that a doctor may prescribe.

A doctor determines the best dosage based on medical conditions, response to treatment, age, and weight. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list.

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Drink Plenty Of Fluids

Dehydration is linked to an increased risk of UTIs.

This is because regular urination can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract to prevent infection. When youre dehydrated, you arent urinating as often, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria.

A examined nursing home residents and administered a drinking schedule to participants to increase their fluid intake. Following the schedule decreased UTIs requiring antibiotics by 56%.

In a 2020 randomized control trial , 140 premenopausal participants prone to UTIs took part in a 12-month study to test if a higher fluid intake would decrease their risk of recurrent cystitis and, in turn, their risk of developing a UTI. Researchers found that an increase in fluid intake led to a decrease in UTI frequency.

To stay hydrated and meet your fluid needs, its best to drink water throughout the day and always when youre thirsty.

Benefits of drinking more fluids for UTI

Drinking plenty of liquids can decrease your risk of UTIs by making you pee more, which helps remove bacteria from your urinary tract.

evidence suggests that increasing your intake of vitamin C could protect against UTIs.

Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of urine, killing off the bacteria that cause infection.

An older 2007 study of UTIs in pregnant women looked at the effects of taking 100 milligrams of vitamin C every day.

Fruits and vegetables are especially high in vitamin C and are a good way to increase your intake.

How Should I Take Azo Urinary Pain Relief

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take AZO Urinary Pain Relief after meals.

Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking AZO Urinary Pain Relief.

AZO Urinary Pain Relief will most likely darken the color of your urine to an orange or red color. This is a normal effect and is not harmful. Darkened urine may also cause stains to your underwear that may be permanent.

AZO Urinary Pain Relief can also permanently stain soft contact lenses, and you should not wear them while taking this medicine.

Do not use AZO Urinary Pain Relief for longer than 2 days unless your doctor has told you to.

This medication can cause unusual results with urine tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using AZO Urinary Pain Relief.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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What Is The Prognosis For A Urinary Tract Infection

A good prognosis is usual for spontaneously resolved and quickly treated UTIs. Even patients that have rapidly developing symptoms and early pyelonephritis can have a good prognosis if quickly and adequately treated. The prognosis begins to decline if the UTI is not quickly recognized or treated. Elderly and immunosuppressed patients may not have the UTI recognized early their prognosis may range from fair to poor, depending on how much damage is done to the urinary tract or if complications like sepsis occur. Like adults, most adequately treated children will have a good prognosis. Children and adults with recurrent UTIs may develop complications and a worse prognosis recurrent UTIs may be a symptom of an underlying problem with the urinary tract structure. These patients should be referred to a specialist for further evaluation.

What Can I Take To Relieve Pain

Phenazopyridine hydrochloride may relieve your pain, burning, itching, and urgency to urinate within 20 minutes. Avoid taking it if you have kidney disease or are allergic to dyes. Do not worry if your urine turns reddish-orange when you take this medication. This common effect is not harmful, but it can stain clothing.

Methenamine and sodium salicylate work together to slow bacterial growth along the urinary tract and to control the UTI. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to aspirin, are on a low-sodium diet or anticoagulant therapy, or have stomach problems.

You can also take other pain relievers, such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen .

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When To See A Doctor

If you are experiencing symptoms of a UTI, its best to see your doctor as soon as possible. For those who are pregnant, a UTI can be dangerous for both mother and child.

Your doctor will perform the necessary tests, like a urine culture, to figure out the primary bacteria responsible for your infection. Theyll then prescribe medication that is targeted for your specific needs.

Again, this isnt something you want to ignore for too long because your UTI could get a lot worse. Ramin said, in rare cases, the bacteria could make its way to your kidneys, which makes the UTI more difficult to treat.

In more serious cases of urinary tract infection, antibiotics may need to be administered intravenously and then followed by a course of oral antibiotics for several days to weeks, he said.

Treatment Options For Urinary Tract Infections

Ladies, if you think you have a urinary tract infection, you are probably right. One study found that women who self-diagnose a UTI are right 84% of the time.

You can apply this know-how to partner with your health care provider to pick the right treatment The go-to treatment of a UTI, which is caused by a bacteria, is antibiotics. Your questions about treatment decisions can make a difference, especially since antibiotic recommendations have shifted and not all doctors have changed their practices.

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How Do You Know If You Have A Uti

You cant treat something if you dont know what it is, so how do you know if you have a UTI?

Some of the most common UTI symptoms are:

• Painful, burning urination
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Smelly, cloudy, or red-colored, blood-tinged urine
• Pain in the abdominal area, near your back or your side below the ribs
• Fever
• Tiredness or weakness
• Shakiness or confusion

Fever and pain in your back may be signs that the infection has reached your kidneys.

To confirm a UTI diagnosis, your doctor may also run a urine test. The results of your test can help confirm whether you have a UTI. While a urine test is one way to know whether you have a UTI, medical evidence also has shown that your doctor can be pretty confident about your diagnosis based on your answers to the questions about symptoms.

Wipe From Front To Back

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , 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 lead to infections.

After urinating, wipe in a way that prevents bacteria from coming into contact with the genitals. Use separate pieces of toilet paper to wipe the genitals and anus.

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Drink Plenty Of Water

Drinking water and other non-carbonated, low-sugar fluids helps dilute your urine and flushes bacteria from your bladder.

Proper hydration can also prevent further bacteria growth.

Studies show that increasing your overall water intake can decrease your risk of recurrent UTIs.

On average, its suggested that women get at least 11.5 cups and men 15.5 cups of water per day, but that number varies from person to person, and about 20 percent of that water will likely come from food.

Your goal should be to see clear or light yellow urine, and to urinate at least every four hours.

Why Uti Pain Happens At Night

According to Eilber, UTI pain and other symptoms arent worse at night. They are just more bothersome because people arent as distracted by their daily activities and the symptoms of frequency and urgency are forcing you to get out of bed.

UTI discomfort may also seem worse because youre not emptying your bladder as much as you would during the day. The pressure from collecting urine then creates discomfort against the inflamed walls of your infected bladder.

To reduce your risk of getting a UTI, there are specific lifestyle steps you can take, including:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.

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Do I Really Need To Take Antibiotics For A Uti

In most cases, it makes sense to start antibiotics if you know you have a bacterial UTI since this is the only way to treat it.

While it is possible for a UTI to go away on its own, this doesnt always happen. Plus, youll still have to deal with uncomfortable UTI symptoms like pain during urination while waiting to see if the UTI will go away. And if it doesnt, the infection can travel up your urinary tract and cause a more serious infection in your kidneys called pyelonephritis. If youre pregnant, have underlying health conditions, or are older than 65 years old, you should not try to treat a UTI without antibiotics.

Recommended Reading: Is Pumpkin Seed Oil Good For Overactive Bladder

Other Over The Counter Products For Uti Prevention

Some OTC products do not directly affect the progress of an acute infection, but could help to prevent UTIs in the future:

• Special probiotics to restore vaginal flora
• Bacterial biofilm-fighting molecules

However, it is crucial to address the reason you had a UTI happened in the first place.

There are multiple factors that can make you more prone to UTIs, such as certain contraceptive methods , diseases that affect vaginal health etc.

Therefore, a holistic approach to UTI prevention is more effective than just treating an acute infection.

Whats your favorite OTC UTI remedy that worked for you?

Written by Anastasia Visotsky, medically reviewed by Dr. Ogunyemi

Anastasia Visotsky

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When To See A Healthcare Provider

Conversations about urinary symptoms can be uncomfortable, but if youre experiencing symptoms consistent with a UTI, its best to seek medical advice. Your provider can order tests if needed, discuss treatment options, and help you understand the cause of your infection, as well as providing strategies to prevent recurrences.

The sooner you seek help, the sooner those painful symptoms will be goneand you can go back to getting a good nights sleep.

How Should I Sleep With Uti Pain At Night

Here are some things you can do to help you sleep more comfortably at night, if you have UTI pain:

• Make sure you empty your bladder completely before going to bed.
• You may consider setting alarms during the night so you wake up and use the bathroom.
• Use an incontinence pad or wear incontinence pants. These can lessen the concern of urinating in your sleep or give you the option of not getting out of bed to urinate.
• Use a hot water bottle or heating pad to warm your abdomen to minimize bladder discomfort or pressure.

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How Can I Tell If I Have A Uti

Not all UTIs have obvious symptoms, but signs and symptoms of a possible UTI include the need to urinate often, pain and burning sensations during urination, low fever, nausea, vomiting, feeling ill, and back or abdominal pain. You may also notice that your urine is bloody, cloudy, or odorous.

See your doctor immediately if you think you have a UTI, or ask your pharmacist about purchasing a UTI test kit. If you decide to use the take-home UTI test strips, follow the instructions carefully and be sure to discuss your test results with your doctor.

What To Know About Otc Salves

For all those scrapes , keep these creams close at hand.

Hydrocortizone cream: This mild corticosteroid calms inflammation and eases itching, which makes it a go-to for a variety of skin woes, including allergic rashes and poison ivy.

Antibiotic ointment: A quick swipe of bacitracin or Neosporin helps keep infection-causing bacteria at bay so that minor wounds can heal more quickly.

Aloe Vera: Too much fun in the sun? Ease sunburn discomfort with a moisturizer that contains aloe vera. If that doesnt work, try hydrocortisone cream.

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Pain Relief Medication For Urinary Tract Infections

Phenazopyridine is the go-to pain reliever for UTIs, as it is specifically formulated to ease the most common urinary symptoms, including:

• Pain
• Irritation
• The frequent urge to urinate

It is and unapproved medication that is available over the counter or in prescription form. It comes in several brand names and generic options.

Phenazopyridine is not an antibiotic, and it is only used for symptom relief. It will not help cure the infection. Its typically taken 3 times per day after each meal with a large glass of water. The medicine may discolor your urine temporarily to a brownish-red color, but this is a harmless side effect.

Evidence is lacking that taking phenazopyridine and an antibacterial is more beneficial than just the antibacterial by itself after two days. Therefore, phenazopyridine should not be taken for longer than two days when youre taking an antibacterial simultaneously.

Other over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also help alleviate urinary tract pain symptoms, as well as full-body symptoms such as fever.If you are taking an antibiotic, your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help you choose the best analgesic option that wont interact with your antibiotic.