What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
UTI’s are usually the result of bacteria, usually E.coli, in the bladder and urethra. Women are more susceptible to UTI’s than men because they have shorter urethras and because the opening of the urethra is in closer proximity to the vagina and anus where E. coli and other bacteria live without causing any harm.
Symptoms of UTI:
1. Strong, persistent urge to urinate; sharp pain, or burning sensation
2. Eliminating only a small amount of urine
3. Urine may be tinged with blood
4. You may experience lower abdomen, back, or side pain
5. Urine may be cloudy and have a strong odor to it
There are many different home remedies that you can use to help relieve your symptoms. In any case, urinary tract infections should still be diagnosed by your doctor who may choose to prescribe you antibiotics.
The downside to antibiotics are that they destroy not only the bad E.coli bacteria, but also the good bacteria that resides in our body naturally. In some cases, however, it’s necessary in order for our bodies to heal and prevent the infection from spreading to our Kidney’s, which results in a much worse condition called acute pyelonephritis.
Baking Soda: Add one teaspoon to a glass of water and drink. The baking soda helps to ease the infection by neutralizing the acidity of the urine.
Cranberry Juice: Has antioxidants that are useful in clearing the infection and also acts as a mild antibiotic.
As a preventative, you should drink four or more ounces every day. Doing this can help you remain infection free. However, if you have an infection, drink two to four glasses of cranberry juice every day to help clear the infection. Cranberry juice cocktail has the same effect as pure cranberry juice, which could be a bit bitter for some people.
Water: Drinking 8-eight ounce glasses of water each day helps to flush out the bacteria from the bladder by making you urinate more frequently. If you have an infection now, you should drink a glass of water every hour.
Adding vinegar to your water will kill germs, nourish the body, and reduce the instances of urinary tract infections.
Vitamin C: Taking Vitamin C increases the acidity level in your urine and decreases the bacteria in your bladder.
Tincture: Use 1/2 teaspoon of tincture every hour. In severe cases, take buchu, uva ursi, pipsissewa and Echinacea tinctures in equal amounts and blend it. Take twenty drops of the tincture every two hours for the first two days, then one teaspoon four times a day until you recover.
Some over-the-counter medicines to take are Azo Standard and Cystex.
Azo Standard is inexpensive and provides fast relief of UTI symptoms such as pain, frequency, and urgency. The only downside is that it discolors your urine, usually making it an orange color.
Cystex relieves the pain and burning. It contains an antibacterial that prevents the infection from worsening and you may also take it to prevent future infections.
Men with suspected urinary tract infections should consult with their physician because their infection may be caused by a sexually transmitted disease, bladder stones, or an enlarged prostate.
Home remedies for urinary tract infections should be viewed as a means to relieve your symptoms until you are able to get to a doctor.
