What Is A Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection occurs when a bacterial infection affects your urinary system, causing problems like discomfort during urination, frequent urination, urgency, and other symptoms. The most common culprits causing the problem are the microbes Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
Why do Urinary Tract Infections Occur?
Studies suggest that when women are encouraged to drink morewater, they are less likely to develop a UTI.
Practicing good sex hygiene and always wiping from front to back when using the bathroom can help prevent this contamination. Sometimes, even if you’re diligent, bacteria can still find its way to where it shouldn’t be.
If you’re just starting to suspect that you have a UTI, chances are good that it’s only affecting your lower urinary tract that is to say, your bladder and urethra. This is why UTIs are commonly referred to as bladder infections. Technically, a bladder infection is a type of UTI, but most women use the term interchangeably.
In the later stages of a more severe UTI infection, the whole urinary system can be compromised, including your kidneys.
Home Remedies For Uti: Whatre Your Options
Urinary tract infections happen when bacteria grow in part of your urinary system, and are extremely common: every year, up to 10 million people visit the doctor for UTI symptoms.
Anyone can get a UTI, but women are at higher risk because womens urethras are shorter, making it easier for bacteria to travel to the urinary tract.
UTIs can be uncomfortable, causing pelvic pain, a constant urge to urinate, pain while urinating, and cloudy or bloody urine.
These infections usually arent serious, but if left untreated, they can spread to the kidneys and cause more serious issues. If you think you may have a UTI, its important to seek medical care. A doctor can determine whether its best to treat your infection with antibiotics or explain how to get rid of a UTI at home.
/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.
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Consume Coconut Water Or Coconut Milk
Coconut water provides more benefits than just cooling your body. As per Indian home remedies, coconut water or coconut milk is effective in treating UTI.
How it Works?
As per laboratory tests, monolaurin is the wonderful substance in coconut oil which contains antimicrobial action
How to Use?
- Drink coconut water of 2 â 3 tender coconuts per day.
- Drink coconut milk in small quantities as it contains high oil content which acts as a laxative effect.
- You can also take 2 tablespoons of coconut oil or coconut cream to provide similar benefits.
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When To See A Doctor For A Uti
Always go to your primary care physician immediately if there is blood in the urine, if you have a fever, and/or low back pain with your UTI symptoms, Sajdak advises. UTIs can move fast, so its better to go sooner than later.
Although natural remedies can be beneficial for alleviating UTI symptoms and preventing recurrent UTIs, they may not be effective in treating the infection.
If symptoms still persist after three days then it is time to move on to antibiotics, says Ivy Branin, ND, a naturopathic doctor in New York City who specializes in womens health. I often recommend a patient to see their doctor for a UA and a prescription for antibiotics just in case and to fill it if they have no improvement after three days.
Leaving a UTI untreated can cause additional health problems. Bacteria can reach the ureters or kidneys and cause kidney infections. Untreated UTIs during pregnancy can also potentially cause early labor and low birth weight. Seeking treatment for UTI that isnt going awayor one that keeps coming backis always a good thing.
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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.
Causes Of Urinary Tract Infection
UTI mainly occurs due to the following reasons:
- Cystitis: It is one of the most common causes of UTI. It mainly happens due to sexual intercourse when the harmful bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract cause infection in the bladder. Though, sometimes, females can also develop cystitis without having intercourse.
- Urethritis: When the harmful bacteria are pushed back in the urethra, urethritis occurs.
- Pregnancy
- Traces of blood with urine.
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What Are Natural Urinary Tract Infection Remedies
Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable and potentially harmful to your dog. Diagnosing a UTI early and obtaining the proper treatment is important for the dog’s comfort and overall health.
Natural remedies can help in the treatment of UTIs, and are especially effective in the early stages. Before giving your dog a natural remedy for UTIs, contact a veterinarian. UTIs often require medical care, especially if there’s an established bacterial infection. In this case, natural remedies will cure the UTI, and only prescription antibiotics and veterinary treatment will remedy the infection.
If left untreated, UTIs can lead to the development of urinary bladder stones , which can be very painful and sometimes require surgery to remove.
How Can Someone Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection
Prevention of urinary tract infections is similar to some of the home remedies mentioned previously.
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Does Walgreens Sell Over
At Walgreens, you can find options for detecting urinary tract infections and for easing symptoms. UTI test strips can help you detect infections, while urinary pain relief tablets and cranberry pills may help to relieve UTI discomfort or prevent recurring UTIs. Researchers are still looking into the possible benefits of cranberry in fighting infections, but their findings are inconclusive. To learn more about the over-the-counter options available for treating UTI symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
What Studies Say About Urinary Tract Infections
Okay, before we get to this amazing find, lets review what we know about UTIs. According to the National Institute of Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse , a UTI is the second-most common infection in the human body. Anyone can get one, but women seem to be more at risk.
UTIs can be a serious problem. According to recent research, women with UTI infections are at a higher risk of dying or having complications if they develop bladder cancer. Symptoms are often believed to be due to the UTI and the bladder cancer is not diagnosed until it is too late.
However, other studies have some good news. One study of over 28,000 women found that if women with recurrent UTIs could find out the cause of their UTIs, they can simply eliminate whatever is causing the UTIs and easily avoid antibiotic-use or expensive medical care. The studys findings are good news, as they mean that women do not have to suffer with repeated hospital visits or frequent UTIs.
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Soothe Your Infection With Ginger Tea
- Add 2 tablespoons of fresh crushed ginger to boiling water.
- Let it simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Strain it and drink 2 to 3 cups a day. Add honey for a better taste.
Ginger has antimicrobial properties that work against a variety of bacterial strains.20
While chewing on a piece of ginger will also have positive effects, its best to consume it as a tea to treat your UTI. The more liquid you drink, the faster you flush out UTI bacteria.
Increase Vitamin C Intake
Some evidence shows that increasing your intake of vitamin C could protect against urinary tract infections.
Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of the urine, thereby killing off the bacteria that cause infection .
An older 2007 study of UTIs in pregnant women looked at the effects of taking 100 mg of vitamin C every day .
The study found that vitamin C had a protective effect, cutting the risk of UTIs by more than half in those taking vitamin C, compared with the control group .
Fruits and vegetables are especially high in vitamin C and are a good way to increase your intake.
Red peppers, oranges, grapefruit, and kiwifruit all contain the full recommended amount of vitamin C in just one serving .
Despite these studies, there is still more research needed to prove the effectiveness of vitamin C for reducing UTIs. .
SUMMARY
Increasing vitamin C intake may decrease the risk of UTIs by making the urine more acidic, thus killing off infection-causing bacteria.
Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice is one of the most well-known natural remedies for urinary tract infections.
Cranberries work by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, thus preventing infection .
In a 2016 study, women with recent histories of UTIs drank an 8-ounce serving of cranberry juice every day for 24 weeks. Those who drank cranberry juice had fewer UTI episodes than the control group .
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How Can Grapes Help
Grapes and fresh grape juice is considered to be a good way of reducing urinary tract infections. Add liberal quantities of fresh grapes to your morning breakfast and also drink grape juice for dealing better with UTI. It will help reduce the burning sensation that characterizes UTI and can be quite painful. Grape seeds are also considered to be very effective in dealing with urinary tract infection.
How Do I Get Rid Of A Uti Quickly
There is no quick fix for a UTI. Taking cranberry supplements and drinking water could help flush bacteria out of your system more quickly. However, it can be dangerous to drink too much water in a short period of time. In many cases, taking an antibiotic for a UTI could be the quickest way to get rid of one.
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Urinary Tract Infection Antibiotics
Some of the common antibiotics your doctor may prescribe to treat a UTI include:
- Cephalexin
- Nitrofurantoin
- Fosfomycin
In certain instances, your doctor may prescribe a less common antibiotic. If you have allergies to certain antibiotics, for example, or your UTI is more severe, you may receive a prescription for a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. These include Cipro and Levaquin .
A typical course of antibiotics for a mild UTI lasts several days. If you’re otherwise feeling fine besides your UTI, your physician may suggest a shortened course of drugs, maybe 1-3 days. Follow your doctors direction, though. Stopping an antibiotic too soon could enable your infection to return.
If you are getting frequent, recurring infections, your doctor might suggest a low dose antibiotic regimen over the course of several months.
It’s important to note that an estimated 22% of women receiving antibiotic treatment for a UTI develop candida overgrowth soon after. If you have to take antibiotics, be sure to accompany them with a course of probiotics to help to keep candida at bay.
Symptoms like fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, pain in your low back or side is a sign that its time to talk to your provider and start that antibiotic. Your microbiome can heal, but your kidneys cant if an infection is left untreated.
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.
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Use Essential Oils With Caution
Oregano essential oil is well known for its strong antibacterial properties. Studies have shown that oregano oil can be very effective at killing E.coli, but it should be noted these studies are generally done in vitromeaning in a lab using scientific techniques, not performed in humans with infections. Lemongrass oil and clove oil may also be a home remedy for UTIs because of their antimicrobial properties, but both have been studied against harmful bacteria in similar experiments as Oregano oil.
Its important to take care before using essential oils as a treatment. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy advises against ingesting these oils. Instead, essential oils may be safely used topically with a carrier oil or inhaled from a diffuser.
Other Things To Remember For Faster Relief From Urinary Tract Infections
- Spicy and pungent foods can cause more irritation and inflammation of the urethra
- Avoid having caffeinated and carbonated drinks such as coffee, colas, etc.
- Practice abstinence from alcohol.
- Regular exercising and staying clean greatly reduces symptoms of any UTI
- Artificial sweeteners can promote the growth of harmful bacteria in the urinary tract.
- Change the underwear every day or if required, twice a day.
- Avoid wearing synthetic underwear, choose cotton ones for comfort.
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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.
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 .
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Ayurvedic Lifestyle To Treat Utis
- Regular practice of yoga and pranayama helps to calm the mind, balance the dosha, tone up the muscles of the pelvic floor and of the urinary system. Yoga poses that support proper elimination of urine and treat UTI symptoms are Suryanamaskara, Bhujangasana, Vajrasana, Shashankasana.
- Limit exposure to extreme heat and sun.
- Never pressurize the bladder. Always avoid holding urine for too long. Because, this can build-up of bacteria, and cause infection.
- Do make sure to empty your bladder during urination. Avoid rushing out and getting off the toilet too early. Incomplete urination creates conditions for UTI and also makes bladder muscles weak.
Takeaway!
UTI symptoms are painful and may lower your confidence of ever finding relief. Yet, you should know that it is possible to heal urinary tract infections by making simple changes in your diet and lifestyle.
The key is to start early! This is because urinary tract infection is progressive in nature. You should start small and keep building up your healthy lifestyle practices on top of one another to create a strong support for your immunity. So start today!
In addition, you can take Ayurvedic medicine for urine infection to maintain normal PH level and diminish harmful bacteria without any side effects. Book online consultation with Medhya Herbalss Ayurvedic Doctors for urinary tract infection natural treatment with Ayurveda.
Wishing you vibrant health!
1. What is the difference between a UTI and cystitis?
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