20 UTI Home Remedies That Actually Work
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In 2019, the global analysis of the burden of disease showed that more than 404.6 million population had urinary tract infection (UTI) globally. Dealing with UTI comes with a lot of pain. The ultimate solution is to see your healthcare provider but there are simple home remedies that can offer temporary relief.
From drinking plenty of water to using cranberry juice or taking probiotics, the most effective home remedies are listed here. These home remedies are invaluable and work best for anyone going through the pain of UTI.
1. Use Cranberry Juice Or Cranberry Supplements
Cranberry juice or cranberry supplements are commonly advised for avoiding UTIs because they have anti-microbial characteristics. This fruit does not allow bacteria to stick to the walls of the urinary system due to the presence of certain chemicals found in cranberries.
Thus, one can prevent UTI recurrences by having unsweetened cranberry juice or going for cranberry supplements. Nevertheless, the products added to them should not contain sugars as sweets make the condition worse for UTI patients.
2. Try Taking A Probiotic
Probiotics are known to modulate gut flora by strengthening the immune system to reduce the potential of UTI. This effect is obtained by blocking the effect of possible pathogenic microorganisms in the urinary system.
Probiotic-rich foods include yogurt, kefir and any other cultured milk and other foods. It is also advisable to consume probiotics that is, special food products enriched with essential bacteria, especially Lactobacillus.
3. Increase Vitamin C Intake
Bacteria can not thrive in acidic conditions and vitamin C can help achieve this. When we consume vitamin C supplements the urine in the bladder turns acidic.
Vitamin C is also essential to make our immunity strong. It helps gear up the body's immunity, this means the UTI-causing bacteria cannot multiply further.
Different foods rich in vitamin C include oranges, strawberries, and kiwi. Eating these fruits in optimum quantities on a daily basis is a way to put the pathogens causing UTI at bay. Vitamin C supplements are also recommended by many health care professionals along with antibiotics for effective treatment of UTI.
4. Practice Healthy Hygiene Habits
If your partner already has UTI, then there is a high possibility that you are the next one to get it. So, personal hygiene should be observed to the utmost to avoid contracting UTIs. Though it's a preventive measure, proper hygiene can reduce the severity of the infection as well.
Cleaning the genital region before and after intercourse, passing urine after intercourse, and cleaning the anal area from front to back after defecation are suggested measures to prevent infecting microbes traverse to the urethra and up the urinary tract.
Also, don't use scented and abrasive soaps to wash the genital area in the name of hygiene. Doing this can only disturb the normal flora of the genital region, which if occurs can be an invitation to foreign pathogenic ones!
5. Garlic Supplements
Among many health benefits of garlic, the natural antimicrobial property is the prominent one, all thanks to the compound present in it known as allicin. Different causative organisms of UTI including E coli is warded off by allicin.
One may consume raw garlic in their diet or take garlic supplements to prevent and treat UTIs. Garlic can be taken in its raw form as cloves, garlic oil supplements, or raw foods containing garlic ingredients to gain the benefit of these compounds and promote urinary tract health.
6. Stay Well Hydrated
Consuming a lot of water also washes the bacteria out of the urinary system hence preventing the occurrence of infection. Drinking a lot of water also thins the urine and therefore reduces how much it can harm the bladder.
It is advised that you should take at least eight glasses of water a day to enable proper functioning of your urinary system. The other beverages that can used in place to add up to one’s fluid intake include herbal teas and clear broths.
7. Add D-mannose To Your Diet
D-mannose is a type of sugar. Though it's a new name, it is present in fruits like cranberries. This particular sugar may help lower your risk of developing a UTI and if you already have it, it prevents further spread.
This sugar helps stop bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary system. This is very beneficial if you want relief from UTI. It is therefore recommended that people with UTI consume foods high in D-mannose. Supplements present in a powder or capsules can also be consumed.
8. Pee When You Need To
Frequent urination can help clear a lot of pathogenic bacteria from your urinary tract. Reversibly, withholding urine means the pathogens get time to spread in the tract. So, for recovery on time, it's important to pass urine frequently and not to retain it for long periods.
Drinking water and urinating regularly; emptying your bladder regularly is important to make sure the infecting microbes don't grow at all. So, frequent urination is not only a remedy but also a preventive measure. For this, you do need to drink tons of liquid, of course, the healthy ones!
9. Use Herbal Supplements
Specific natural supplements for instance goldenseal possess anti bacterial characteristics and hence help in preventing urinary infections. These herbs are usually consumed in the form of health supplements or by making teas that are effective in the health of the urinary tract.
Nonetheless, it is advisable to seek professional advice before using any herbal product since other health complications or other drugs may interfere with the process.
10. Wipe Correctly
Cleaning, beginning from the front to back is important in avoiding the spread of bacteria from the anal area to the urinary system. This practice assists in avoiding situations where the bacteria get into the urinary system and lead to infection.
Teaching the children the right techniques of wiping can also lead to a decrease in cases of UTIs. Practicing such hygiene measures as using soft and non-scented toilet paper and refraining from the use of abrasive wipes also play a lot in reducing the instances of such infections and keeping the bacterial balance in check.
11. Consider Switching Birth Control
Some methods of contraception like diaphragms and spermicidal agents potentially pose a risk of contracting UTI. If you get infections very often, it is recommended that you change to other methods such as condoms or non-spermicide, or oral contraceptive pills.
Discuss other types of birth control that will not increase the likelihood of having a urinary tract infection with your doctor to ensure that you get the right birth control method that is ideal for contraception while not compromising your urinary system.
12. Drink Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea's benefits are endless. This tea will help soothe the inflammation of the urinary tract, a most common cause of pain during UTI. Not only does it hold from painful symptoms, but it also has antibacterial properties. Sipping the chamomile tea also means you are avoiding the chances of relapse.
Chamomile contains antioxidants and other compounds that have sedative properties, which are useful in stress reduction, something that is often thought to be the cause of UTI occurrence. Chamomile tea hence is not only linked with flushing off the root cause but it is also your mental support during UTI.
13. Avoid Eating Bladder Irritant Food Products
You may have noticed a sudden uneasiness in your urinary tract when you eat certain foods. These are what irritants are. Some bladder irritant food products include foods rich in spices, caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners.
Eating these foods when you have a UTI can elevate the UTI discomfort. These foods need to be excluded from the diet to help body heal. You should rather focus on consuming fruits, vegetables, and whole grains more.
14. Use A Heating Pad
A heating pad has been a healer for many pains. Particularly in the case of UTI, try applying a heating pad on the lower abdomen. Doing so can help take all your pain away.
Heating can also decrease the chances of experiencing cramps or pressure in the affected area over the bladder.
It can also cause burns or irritation so it is advised to use a low setting and should not be applied for more than 15-20 minutes. This type of treatment can be complemented with other remedies like drinking a lot of water and washing the affected area to help improve the comfort and healing process.
15. Wear Loose Clothing
This helps the genital area breathe and remain dry, and it does not encourage the formation of bacteria within the genital region. Wearing clothes that fit tightly, or clothes made of synthetic material may cause moisture and subsequent infections.
Select loose clothing made of natural fibers, and do not wear restrictive trousers or underwear that could chafe the skin. Personal cleanliness and dressing appropriately minimizes the likelihood of contracting a UTI and enhances the general well-being of an individual.
16. Parsley Infusion
Parsley contains diuretic compounds that assist in enhancing the production of urine and thus removing bacteria from the urinary system. A cup of tea containing fresh and warm parsley is used to reduce the frequency of UTIs and boost the health of the urinary system In traditional medicine.
Also known to contain vitamins as well as antioxidants that are useful in enhancing the general health of the body, parsley is good for consumption. Daily drinking of parsley infusion together with other preventive measures can go a long way in keeping the urinary system healthy thus preventing any form of infection.
17. Consume Bearberry
Bearberry leaf or its herbal product "uva ursi" contains natural antibacterial properties that might help in combating UTIs. It is known to help uterine muscles relax and is particularly beneficial in cases of lax uterus; a condition in which uterus ligaments and muscles lose their strength.
Bearberry can be taken in the form of supplements or teas that can improve the health of the reproductive system. It is said to be beneficial mainly to women facing heavy bleeding during period and severe pain during period as well as UTI.
18. Avoid Bladder-Sensitive Foods
It has been reported that some foods can affect bladder sensitivities. These foods should be avoided during period days including the ones containing sugars, artificial sweeteners, and those with low pH.
When completely avoided, the pressure on the bladder is minimized which eventually helps period cramps heal faster. It is recommended to adhere to a healthy eating plan during the period week that includes more fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products.
19. Switch To Fragrance-Free Products
Choosing products such as soap, laundry detergent, or feminine hygiene products without fragrance can be beneficial in avoiding irritation and infection. Chemicals used in manufacturing these products interfere with the flow of bacteria and the pH balance of the genital area.
Picking products with hypoallergenic and unscented logos should do well to keep an environment healthy, and free of infections. Choose mild, non-irritating products with a proper pH that helps the skin maintain its protection mechanisms.
20. Wear Cotton Underclothes
Cotton underclothes are best for the genital area. Not only are these comfortable but their breathable, easy-drying material keeps away infecting bacteria and other microbes.
Underclothes made of synthetic fabrics should be totally avoided during UTI to stop new infections. This basic remedy can help a lot by preventing further infection hence contributing to early healing.
Added tips, change your underclothes daily and more often if you are facing extensive symptoms of UTI like discharge and sweatiness.
What Is UTI?
Males and females, both are vulnerable groups to UTIs. UTI is a condition in which the tissues of the urinary tract get inflamed mainly due to pathogenic microbes.
The parts that get affected during the infection can be any, ranging from the urethra, ureter, and urinary bladder to the kidneys. It would be surprising for you to know that females suffer from UTI more due to variations in anatomy. Meaning, that females have shorter ureters which allows the infecting microbes to traverse upwards on the tract.
With proper practice, UTI can be washed away. If not treated on time, this same thing can bring complications.
Symptoms Of UTI
Symptoms of UTI may vary according to degree of severity. The most common symptoms are as follows:
- Urge to frequently urinate, pain or a sensation of stinging when passing urine
- Foul-smelling, cloudy, or darkened urine, sometimes blood in urine
- Pain around the pelvic region, lower back or lower abdominal area, especially in females.
- Fatigue, fever and chills in severe conditions like kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
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