The Best Treatment for a Urinary Tract Infection
Why does it hurt when I pee?
If you’re experiencing a burning or stinging sensation when you pee, or if your urine has a strong stench with a strange coloration, there is a good chance that you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). But don’t be ashamed!
UTIs are common, and it occurs among at least 50% of women and a significant number of men every year.
A UTI is simply a bacterial infection in your bladder or your urethra, and it usually heals on its own as long as you take plenty of fluids.
How did I get a UTI?
According to James McIntosh of “Medical News Today,” UTIs occur when the E. Coli bacteria enters your digestive system.
This can occur during sexual intercourse, tampons, poor immune system, difficulty relieving the bladder, kidney stones, pregnancy, menopause, or even taking too many antibiotics.
According to a report by the Cleveland Medical Clinic, women who are post-menopausal are at an increased risk of UTIs along with women and men who suffered kidney stones or have diabetes.
How do I manage the pain?
UTIs can be very painful. They cause cramps in the lower abdomen and in the back. Any over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol, Motrin or Advil will help you treat these symptoms right away.
Are there home remedies?
Some general means of managing the symptoms of UTI include taking on the good old “drink lots of water” suggestion.
Drinking lots of fluids will help you to wash out your system so that you can fight the infection naturally, but water is the best remedy.
Avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol, and sugary drinks such as soda and juice, although cranberry juice has been known to have benefits for treating UTIs.
Seek sugar-free cranberry juice! According to Dr. Kavita Mishra of the University of California, San Francisco, over-the-counter pain medication such as Pyridium will also help combat the symptoms.
When should I see a doctor?
You should visit your nearest health care professional if your symptoms worsen after more than three days.
Signs of worsening symptoms include cramps, abdominal pain, bloody urine, nausea, and fever.
Make a note of all your symptoms every single day so that you have something to bring into your appointment, along with a list of medications or supplements you take.
If a UTI is severe, it may require prescription drugs such as antibiotics to completely combat the infection.
Is there a way to prevent getting UTIs in the future?
Of course, there is! Cleanliness is the key. After going to the bathroom, women are recommended to wipe from front to back, and avoid douching.
Baths can be very relaxing but they can also be unsanitary if the tub isn’t clean. Take showers instead.
Be sure to change your underwear each day to keep your hygiene up. Before and after intercourse, it helps if you pee to clean out your urethra. Spermicides and diaphragms can also be unhygienic.
Avoid these things and use condoms as an alternative contraception, or birth control according to Healthline.
Could my daily habits be causing my UTIs?
This is definitely a possibility. According to Dr. Alana Biggers, UTIs can occur if you were tight clothing without proper ventilation.
If moisture builds up in your pubic area, it can become unsanitary and encourage bacterial growth.
Be sure to stay dry, loose and comfortable to avoid UTIs. Poor diet is also a major contributor to UTIs.
If you drink a lot of alcoholic, carbonated or caffeinated beverages, you may be at greater risk for UTIs.
If you frequently partake in spicy foods, you may also be at risk for a UTI. Try to include more fiber and vitamin C in your diet to avoid UTIs.
If I go to the gym or swim, am I likely to get a UTI?
According to Prevention.com, If you exercise and sweat a lot, be sure to change your underwear as well as your clothes so that you’re not sitting in moisture for too long.
Sitting in tight suits such as a swimsuit can also lead to UTIs if you don’t change out of it quickly. Stay dry. It is your safest bet.
Does my urination have anything to do with my UTIs?
This is most definitely a possibility. If you ever feel the urge to urinate, never hold it in. Holding in your pee causes your waste fluid to remain stagnant inside your bladder.
This can definitely cause an infection. Drink lots of fluids but also be sure to go to the bathroom frequently.
Does my bowel movement have anything to do with UTIs?
Yes and no. Part of the reason why it is recommended that women wipe to back after a bowel movement is to avoid getting any E. Coli bacteria into their urethra and bladder.
Having a regular bowel movement helps you keep your digestive system clean and healthy.
Probiotic yogurt and fermented foods such as kefir, cheese (raw), kimchi and sauerkraut are known to help keep your system regular according to Dr. Axe.
Garlic is also a great UTI combatant because of high allicin content, which is a type of antimicrobial so eat plenty of garlic when infected.
Are there any essential oils that can help me fight against a UTI?
Actually, there are! Clove oil has antifungal, antimicrobial and antiviral qualities that can help you fight against UTIs. Put a few drops in your next glass of water and gulp that UTI away.
If clove oil is too fragrant, try oregano oil. You can put oregano oil in a tall glass of water or just mix it into your breakfast eggs or a salad during your lunch or dinner.
Oregano oil has been known to be helpful in fighting against E. Coli bacterial growth.
Finally, myrrh oil, which has been used as a remedy to fight all kinds of illnesses, is a great way to treat UTIs with its antibacterial properties.
It is also antiparasitic and antifungal which is why it has been used to polish the dead at funeral parlors and crematoriums.
What kinds of antibiotics are available for UTI treatment?
According to RX List, there are a variety of antibiotics available for varying symptoms for different people.
One or a combination of these drugs may be prescribed but speak to your doctor about your own symptoms to see which antibiotic may be the right one for you.
Antibiotics for UTI treatment include but are not limited to beta-lactams, fosfomycin, trimethoprim, macrolides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides and nitrofurantoin.
Medical approaches to UTIs vary because there are various strains of bacteria that cause infection.
There are also diverse causes and levels of severity to consider when treating UTIs, which is why doctors consider more than one approach according to Medscape.
Please check out this YouTube video on how to treat and prevent UTIs led by Dr. Natasha Withers.
She explains the causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention of UTIs clearly and simply.
Her short but helpful guide will give you insight into how to avoid UTIs so that you can go on with your busy day without worrying about the pain and stress of this annoying infection.
What if there is a complication?
This is something you should definitely speak to your healthcare professional about.
If your UTI is severe, or an infection leads to injuries to the kidney, intrarenal abscess, sepsis or pyonephrosis, it could be more serious and beyond home remedy treatment. Be sure to see a doctor.
Are there video instructions on how to treat a UTI?
Of course, there are. Here are a few options:
Natural Cures also offers some helpful natural remedies for UTI treatment. It not only is narrated by a soothing voice but also has great big subtitles to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
StyleCraze offers 3 very fast and easy home remedies for UTI treatment. The host walks you through, step-by-step, how to bring down the acidity in your urine.
It also has excellent subtitles that explain why these ingredients are beneficial and how to take them.
This video contains alternative remedies that aren’t found elsewhere such as using parsley and celery.
VictoriaAshley92 offers a very personal account of how she got UTIs and found a way to treat them at home.
She explains that she had frequent UTIs because of “risky behavior” which includes riding a bike and wearing a wet bathing suit for too long and going canoeing.
She gives a detailed account of her own experience with UTIs and explains step-by-step how she was able to treat her UTIs. She’s also done her own research by reading on the bacterial infections.
Victoria’s video is both reassuring and insightful. She integrates her own story, as well as her friend’s story, which has helped her combat frequent and severe UTIs.
These are some helpful pointers that’ll help you recognize, treat and prevent UTIs. Be sure to stay clean, dry and healthy.
