Natural Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that affects part of the urinary tract. When it affects the lower urinary tract it is known as a bladder infection (cystitis) and when it affects the upper urinary tract it is known as kidney infection (pyelonephritis).

Causes of Urinary Tract Infection

• A bacterium by the name of Escherichia coli is responsible for causing urinary tract infection.
• Besides E coli, Staphylococcus saprophyticus also leads to urinary infection in about five to ten percentage of cases.
• Having made its way into the urinary tract, it keeps multiplying in number causing infection.
• With urethra being close to bladder in women, females susceptibility to urinary tract infection is relatively more.
• Young women leading an active sexual life, sex contributes to urinary tract infection or (UTI).
• Use of catheter may also cause urinary tract infection.
• Use of diaphragm as a means of birth control also makes one more susceptible to urinary infection.
• Increase in the size of the prostate gland may also contribute to the infection.
• Diabetes also makes one more prone to urinary tract infection.
• Contracting UTI especially that related to lower urinary tract may well be a hereditary strain.

Types of Urinary Tract Infection

• While cystitis refers to the infection of the bladder. It is a common infection affecting the lower urinary tract.
• Pyelonephrytis affects the upper urinary tract. It is rare but being an infection of the blood borne type, the consequences are more serious.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

• Dysuria or burning sensation on urination is the most common symptom of this infection.
• Frequent urge to pass urine may be another associated symptom, particularly if the infection has affected both the urethra and bladder.
• Infection affecting the lower urinary tract may also involve urination with streaks of blood in it.
• Urine cloudy in appearance together with foul smell is some of the associated symptoms of urinary tract infection.
• Low temperature, abdominal pain may also accompany urinary tract infection affecting the urethra.
• Inertia, lethargy and irritability are some of the secondary symptoms of urinary tract infection affecting adults.
• Children affected by the mentioned infection may develop jaundice and drop in the body temperature giving way to ‘hypothermia’.
• Inability to control urination may also be one of the symptoms of urinary tract infection.
  Quite contrarily, some of the affected individuals may be unable to pass urine despite the requisite urge.

Treating a UTI at home
While it is always a good idea to speak to a doctor for advice, there are ways the symptoms of a UTI can be treated at home.

Listed here are five of the most effective UTI home remedies:

1. Drinking fluids
woman drinking lots of water for a urinary tract infection
Drinking plenty of water will help flush the bacteria out of the urinary tract.
One of the simplest home remedies for a UTI is to drink plenty of water. This helps to flush the bacteria out of the body.

The recommendation is for an individual to drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water in a day. However, it is essential that medical advice is sought when deciding the amount to drink per day.

Drinking too much can be dangerous, particularly with pre-existing kidney diseases.

2. Urinate when necessary
It can be tempting to avoid urinating with a UTI. This is because a UTI can cause a person to want to urinate more frequently than usual, even if there is no urine to release.

However, urination can help to expel the bacteria that are causing the infection. Along with drinking more fluids, this can ease symptoms and quicken a recovery.

3. Heat
Some home remedies for UTIs can help to ease symptoms, such as pain and discomfort, though these may not aid recovery.

For example, applying a heat pad to the bladder or pubic area can help to relieve pain and discomfort temporarily.

Heat should not be applied directly to the skin, and should not be too hot. Heat should only be applied for short periods to avoid causing burns to the skin.

If you want to buy heat pads, then there is an excellent selection online with thousands of customer reviews.

4. Clothing
Loose fitting clothing can prevent moisture from making the infection worse. Tight clothing can encourage moisture to develop.

Keeping the pubic area clean and dry is important to prevent the growth of bacteria.

5. Diet
citrus sources of vitamin c
Increasing vitamin C intake can help prevent the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract.
Certain foods can worsen symptoms. These include foods that are:

• hot or spicy
• fizzy
• caffeinated
• alcoholic
• High fiber foods may help to quicken recovery. Getting a range of essential nutrients is also important to allow the body to heal itself.

Vitamin C can inhibit the growth of bacteria in the urinary tract since it makes urine more acidic. Although it is usually advised that vitamin C intake be increased via a varied diet.

Also Read: Ways To Prevent a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) This Summer