Urinary tract infections are among the most typical bacterial infections that affect women (UTI).
This illness is brought on when stomach bacteria enter the urinary tract.
There can be various symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, dark urine, and frequent, painful urination.
However, when they do appear, they include the following:
- An ongoing want to go to the bathroom.
- Burning sensation in the urine.
- An appearance of cloudiness in the urine
- Frequent, light, and infrequent urination
- Pee is tainted with blood, which makes it scarlet or very pink.
- Your pee has a noticeable odor.
- Pelvic discomfort affects females.
Even at-home cures are quite effective in this regard, despite the possibility of prescription drugs providing a solution.
While more serious infections might require a little longer to heal, lesser infections usually do so on their own in a few days.
Best Home Remedies for UTI treatment
Natural home remedies for urinary tract infections are listed below-
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Be Sure To Stay Hydrated
Water consumption is among the first steps to be taken when suffering from a urinary tract infection.
This is so that the bacterium that is infecting you can be flushed out by drinking water.
Water is pivotal[1] for most of our bodily functions. It could maintain body temperature. Water is essential as it carries nutrients to other parts of the cells.
Thus, the chances of urinary tract infection increase if a person stays dehydrated for prolonged hours. Water could save[2] you from a lot of health issues.
This is because routine urination can assist in clearing bacteria from the urinary tract to ward off infection.
Breeding habitat for bacteria might develop when you are dehydrated since you don’t urinate as frequently.
It is best to drink water frequently[3] throughout the day and at all times when you are thirsty to stay hydrated and fulfill your fluid requirements.
To be on the safe side, you should aim to consume six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily.
General recommendations state that men and women should each consume about 125 oz of water per day, including water from food.
You can also include meals that are high in water content, such as melons, oranges, lettuce, soups, and broths.
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Consume Plenty Of Vitamin C
It’s crucial to consume a lot of vitamin C-rich foods since excess vitamin C increases urine acidity.
As per this study,[4] ascorbic acid or vitamin c could aid in the treatment of urinary tract infections by acidifying the urine.
The whole recommended daily intake of vitamin C is included in just one serving of red peppers, oranges, grapefruit, and kiwifruit.
You might want to stay away from citrus and other acidic foods if you have an active UTI, though.
When urinating causes pain, consuming these foods is not a good idea because they are known to irritate the bladder.
The benefits of consuming 100 milligrams of vitamin C every day were examined in an earlier 2007 study,[5] “Trusted Source of UTIs in pregnant women.”
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Consume Cranberry Juice Without Sugar
One of the most popular home treatments for UTIs is to consume unsweetened cranberry juice.
By assisting in preventing bacterial adherence to the urinary system, cranberries can fight[6] infection.
Proanthocyanidins, which are abundant in cranberry juice, work to block the entry of the bacteria E. Coli into the tissues of the urinary system3
Along with this, the juice’s vitamin C content will stop the formation of harmful bacteria altogether.
Cranberries may have a component that prevents bacteria from adhering to urinary system walls. They might aid in removing microorganisms from your body.
Participants in a 2016 study[7] showed that drank an 8-ounce (240 mL) glass of cranberry juice every day for 24 weeks.
Cranberry juice drinkers experienced fewer UTIs than those in the control group. Though more research is needed regarding its efficacy for the same.
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Put On Relaxed Clothing
As long as the region is kept dry and clean, wearing loose-fitting, cotton-lined clothing may help to lessen the symptoms of an existing UTI infection.
Avoid[8] tight clothing and go for clothing that lets your skin breathe. Keep nylon at a distance. A garment’s fit and some fabrics’ ability to trap an object.
Moisture that promotes bacterial growth in the vaginal region, which could make the infection worse, avoid.
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Adopt Good Hygiene Practices
Starting with a few simple restroom and hygiene routines[8], UTI prevention is possible and these are:
- Don’t hold onto your urine for too long, to start.
- A bacterial accumulation as a result of this may cause an infection.
- The danger might also be decreased by urinating after sex.
- Additionally, spermicide use should be avoided by people who are prone to UTIs because it has been associated with a rise in UTIs.
- Always wipe front to back when using the restroom, especially if you have a female urethra.
- Wiping from back to front is connected to an increased risk of UTIs and can transmit bacteria to the urinary system.
- In case of infection, avoid smoking. Attempt to cut back on your smoking to once a day if you find that you smoke too much.
- Don’t wear garments with tight fits.
- When you go to bed at night to sleep, attempt to take it off if you wear it.
- Ensure that all of your care items are fragrance-free and maintain ph balance always.
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Utilize Probiotics
Consumed through food or supplements, probiotics are good microbes. Healthy digestion and immunity are supported[9] by probiotics.
If used in addition to normal antibiotic therapy, probiotics may also help treat and prevent UTIs. They may help in improving the immune system.
Bad bacteria, especially those of a particular genus called Lactobacillus, take the place of beneficial bacteria in the urogenital system during a UTI.
The recurrence of a UTI may be decreased[10] by probiotics, which help replenish healthy bacteria. In your gut, they may help to maintain a balanced population of bacteria.
Probiotic yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and other fermented foods are examples of foods that contain probiotics. Supplements also include probiotics.
By boosting the body’s natural flora, eating foods high in probiotics helps prevent illnesses.
In addition, several researchers suggest that some probiotic strains may reduce the risk of UTIs:
In this study,[11] Lactobacillus, a popular probiotic strain, was found to aid in the prevention of UTIs in adult females.
In another study[10], probiotics, and antibiotics together were more efficient than antibiotics alone at preventing recurrent UTIs.
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Apply A Heating Pad
Your pubic area burns, throbs, and hurts due to the inflammation and irritation that UTIs generate.
Using a heating pad on your lower abdomen can help soothe some of the pain associated with a UTI and lessen the number of times you have to use the restroom, which can lead to searing agony.
To prevent burns, use it just for 15 minutes at a time, keep the heat setting low, and stay away from the skin.
Take a warm bath to assist your muscles to relax and to help with any pain you may be experiencing.
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Frequently Empty Your Bladder
The urinary system can become infected with bacteria if you hold your pee or ignore the urge to urinate. Use the restroom whenever you have the urge, as a general rule.
Additionally, it’s crucial to always urinate after sex and to make sure your bladder is empty, particularly if you have a vagina. If so, make sure to wipe after urinating from front to back.
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Power Of Garlic
According to this[12] study, the germs that cause UTIs may be reduced by using garlic extract.
Unhealthy bacterial development is inhibited by allicin, one of the components in raw garlic.
To prevent urinary infections, you could consume crushed, raw garlic or drink water that has been infused with garlic.
It appears that garlic has other benefits besides keeping vampires at bay.
Conclusion
As per this study,[13] fungi can also cause infection, although bacteria account for almost 95% of UTIs.
As per this analysis,[14] About 150 million people globally get urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are fairly prevalent.
Thus, To reduce your risk of developing these infections in the future, it is a good idea to stay hydrated and adopt healthier habits.
Try these home remedies for no more than a day or two, and if the symptoms don’t go away, consult a doctor right away.
References/Sources
Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed research, academic, and medical institution studies.
- The importance of hydration. Available from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/the-importance-of-hydration/
- Water and Healthier Drinks. Benefits of Drinking Water. Available from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/water-and-healthier-drinks.html
- How much water should you drink? Available from https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-much-water-should-you-drink
- Duane R Hickling and Victor W Nitti. Management of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Healthy Adult Women. Rev Urol. 2013; 15(2): 41–48.
- Gonzalo Javier Ochoa-Brust, Alma Rosa Fernández, Gerson Jesús Villanueva-Ruiz, et al. Daily intake of 100 mg ascorbic acid as urinary tract infection prophylactic agent during pregnancy Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2007;86(7):783-7. doi: 10.1080/00016340701273189. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17611821/
- Marcelo Hisano, Homero Bruschini, Antonio Carlos Nicodemo. Cranberries and lower urinary tract infection prevention. Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2012 Jun; 67(6): 661–667.doi: 10.6061/clinics/2012(06)18
- Kevin C Maki , Kerrie L Kaspar , Christina Khoo, et al. Consumption of a cranberry juice beverage lowered the number of clinical urinary tract infection episodes in women with a recent history of urinary tract infection. Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Jun;103(6):1434-42. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.116.130542. Available from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27251185/
- 15 Tips To Keep Your Bladder Healthy Content reviewed: January 24, 2022 Available from: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/15-tips-keep-your-bladder-healthy
- Lye Huey Shi, Kunasundari Balakrishnan,Kokila Thiagarajah, et al. Beneficial Properties of Probiotics. Trop Life Sci Res. 2016 Aug; 27(2): 73–90. doi: 10.21315/tlsr2016.27.2.6
- Mohammad-Javad Mohseni, Zahra Aryan, Sahra Emamzadeh-Fard, et al. Combination of Probiotics and Antibiotics in the Prevention of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection in Children. Iran J Pediatr. 2013 Aug; 23(4): 430–438.
- Peter M Grin, Paulina M Kowalewska, Waleed Alhazzan, et al. Lactobacillus for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections in women: meta-analysis. Review. Can J Urol. 2013 Feb;20(1):6607-14. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23433130/
- Anthony Mansour, Essa Hariri, Samar Shelh, et al. Efficient and Cost-Effective Alternative Treatment for Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections and Interstitial Cystitis in Women: A Two-Case Report. Case Rep Med. 2014; 2014: 698758. Published online 2014 Dec 21. doi: 10.1155/2014/698758
- Harshkumar B. Patel, Sumeeta T. Soni, Aroor Bhagyalaxmi, et al. Causative agents of urinary tract infections and their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns at a referral center in Western India: An audit to help clinicians prevent antibiotic misuse. J Family Med Prim Care. 2019 Jan; 8(1): 154–159. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_203_18
- Ana L. Flores-Mireles, Jennifer N. Walker, Michael Caparon, et al. Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2015 May; 13(5): 269–284. Published online 2015 Apr 8. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro3432
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Otella has an experience of around eight years of writing about health and nutrition-related topics. She is a full-time mother and a housewife, and the time she has left after doing her mother and household duties is spent writing for Working for Health as a full-time writer. Her life goal is to raise both her boys into a gentleman, and at the same time, she wants to educate people on how to keep themselves fit by tweaking their daily diet.