Men and women can both experience a urinary tract infection but it is more common in women. When you go to the bathroom several times with the urge to urinate but only a little comes out and you feel a burning sensation, you know you have urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections are the second most common reason people visit their doctor’s every year. Besides the symptoms of a frequent urge to urinate and the burning sensation, there are more severe symptoms that come with having a urinary tract infection. These more severe symptoms are fever, chills, back pain, and sometimes blood in your urine. The doctor will give you an antibiotic to get rid of the infection but there are natural things at home you can use to treat a urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infections that last for more than two days will need to be treated by a medical professional.
Home Remedies for a Urinary Tract Infection: Baking Soda
Add a teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water and drink it. This will ease the infection because the soda neutralizes the acidity in your urine and speeds up recovery from the urinary tract infection.
Home Remedies for a Urinary Tract Infection: Blueberries and Cranberries
Blueberries and cranberries come from the same plant family and have been known to prevent a urinary tract infection. This is because they have bacteria inhibiting properties. Just sprinkle some blueberries or cranberries on your cereal in the morning to help get rid of the infection and prevent another infection from forming. Drinking cranberry juice is also good for preventing urinary tract infections. Not only are blueberries and cranberries a good home remedy for urinary tract infection but they taste great too.
Home Remedies for a Urinary Tract Infection: Pineapple
Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain which can help get rid of a urinary tract infection. One study showed that people who took bromelain with their regular antibiotics got rid of the infection. Just eat a tasty cup of pineapples every day to get rid of the infection.
When dealing with a urinary tract infection, you need to drink as much water as possible. Drinking lots of water will help flush out your system and get rid of the infection. Drink at least eight ounces of water every hour to help you urinate more and get rid of the urinary tract infection.
Home Remedies for a Urinary Tract Infection: Hot Water
Home Remedies for a Urinary Tract Infection: Vitamin C
Take a Vitamin C supplement every day to help ease the urinary tract infection and prevent it from coming back. Some doctors say to take at least 5,000 milligrams of Vitamin C every day to help fight off the infection. This is especially helpful for those who get urinary tract infection a lot. Vitamin C helps keep the bladder healthy by stopping the bacteria.
More Tips on Getting Rid of a Urinary Tract Infection
Use the bathroom when you have to no matter where you are. If you are in a meeting, excuse yourself to use the bathroom. Do not hold it because this can make the pain caused by a urinary tract infection worse.
Women should wear cotton panties to help ease the discomfort and men should wear boxers.
Stay away from alcohol and caffeine when dealing with an infection. Caffeine and alcohol can irritate your bladder.
Use pain relievers to help ease the pain from a urinary tract infection.
If you are dealing with a urinary tract infection, clean up before and after having sexual intercourse. Use a condom instead of a diaphragm because diaphragms can cause urinary tract infections.
After urinating, wipe from front to back to keep bacteria away from the urethra.
Using these home remedies and following these tips will help ease the urinary tract infection up and prevent it from recurring. If the infection gets worse, see a doctor immediately.
