Remedies

• Many individuals believe that drinking less fluids will reduce the frequent need to use the bathroom hence they avoid drinking altogether. However you will be doing more harm than good. By reducing the amount of fluid you will inadvertently increase the bacteria population. Bacteria multiply rapidly once in suitable conditions. Hence by drinking more fluids you will help flush out the bacteria within the urinary tract and bladder. Drinking more fluids especially water will also lessen the odds that you will contract a bladder infection. It will keep your urinary tract clear and free from bacteria.
• Take aspirin or ibuprofen to reduce pain and inflammation.
• If you are female, to avoid getting a bladder infection wipe from front to back, urinate before and after sexual intercourse, use pads instead of tampons and avoid using a diaphragm which has been shown to increase the risk of urinary tract infection.
• You may take a 1000mg dose of vitamin C. However while this amount is not toxic it is suggested that you first get the approval of your doctor especially if you are suffering from any other medical conditions.
• It has been found that cranberry juice has some beneficial properties that may help decrease the bacteria found in the urinary track. Aside from being a fluid that will help flush out bacteria cranberry juice also has hippuric acid which will acidify the urine and make it more difficult for bacteria to stick to the walls of the urinary tract. When drinking cranberry juice for this purpose ensure that it is 100% cranberry juice and not simply made from concentrate.

Infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body and are more common in women than men for unexplained reasons. The bladder infections usually come with frequent urination including during the night, pain, fever and foul- smelling urine. Infection in the kidney will cause vomiting, abdominal pain, night sweats, fatigue and extreme thirst among other symptoms. An infection occurs when bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body; if the infection remains in the urethra it is referred to as urethritis.

Common risk factors for UTI are abnormalities in the urinary tract, an enlarged prostate gland, catheters and diabetes.

Remedies for UTI

Home Remedies

1. Drink plenty of water every day. Water increases urine flow and cleanses the body by diluting and flushing out unwanted substances. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily.
2. Mixture 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in eight ounce glass of water and consume at the first signs of urinary tract infection. The presence of baking soda in the system raises the acid-base balance of the acidic urine.
3. Cranberry juice prevents bacteria from clinging to the cells which line the urinary tract and is a great home remedy for fighting UTI, however if there is increased irritation dilute the cranberry juice to lower acidic levels. Fresh berry juice consumed as part of the daily diet can hinder UTI.
4. Do not procrastinate when you feel the urge to urinate.
5. Vitamin C prevents the bacterial growth due to the acidic environment created in the bladder and the urinary tract. Include a diet of milk, fruits and fresh vegetables to maintain alkaline content in the body. Avoid processed foods such as cheese, chocolate and dairy products and spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol.
6. You can make an essential oil by using equal parts of sandalwood, bergamot, tea tree, frankincense and juniper. Mix all these ingredients to make an oil to be rubbed over your bladder area. Continue this massaging technique for three to four days once the symptoms subside.
7. Place a warm or heated compress on the abdomen to ease the pain of UTI.
8. Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria around the anus from entering the vagina or urethra.
9. Take showers instead of tub baths.
10. Cleanse the genital area before sexual intercourse can help in preventing UTI; however sexual intercourse should be avoided when you have UTI as this will only aggravate the symptoms further.
11. Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches, which may irritate the urethra.
12. One of the simpler UTI home remedies is to avoid tight or close fitting under garments as these will cause further pain and discomfort as well as promoting bacterial activity.