Lybrate Logo
Get the App
For Doctors
Login/Sign-up
Last Updated: Feb 16, 2023
BookMark
Report

Home Remedies for UTI

Profile Image
Dr. Divanshu RastogiAyurvedic Doctor • 7 Years Exp.Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS)
Topic Image

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are unfortunately very common, with about 150 million people worldwide affected each year, most of whom are women. While there can be a lot of ways in which a person can contract a UTI, some of the most common reasons include:

  • Not urinating often enough
  • Not urinating properly (not completely emptying the bladder)
  • Wiping (after urinating or using the washroom) from back to front
  • Use of certain birth control methods
  • Use of certain feminine hygiene products
  • Pregnancy

A urinary tract infection (UTI) can cause a number of distinctive symptoms, such as pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic region or blood in the urine, making it difficult to go about your daily life. Antibiotics are the usual treatment for UTIs, and they can help manage symptoms, speed up recovery, and prevent complications. If a UTI is left untreated, it can be the root cause of a number of serious health issues in the future.

If you are looking for ways to ease your symptoms and prevent infection, there are several home remedies that may help. In addition to taking antibiotics prescribed by a healthcare professional, try incorporating some of these simple tips into your daily routine:

Consume Cranberries

If you are looking for a way to help prevent urinary tract infections, cranberries may be worth a try. Cranberries essentially contain an ingredient that can stop bacteria from sticking to a person's urinary tract walls. This can further reduce your risk of developing an infection of the urinary tract.

Though more research needs to be done in this area, some studies suggest that consuming a number of different cranberry products, such as cranberry supplements, unsweetened cranberry juice, or dried cranberries, might help reduce your risk of getting a UTI.

If you are not a big fan of cranberry juice, cranberry caplets (or capsules) might be a great option for you. These cranberry powder caplets (or capsules) are basically designed to help maintain a person’s urinary tract health. Each box usually contains 50 capsules.

Drink Plenty of Fluids

Although it may be painful to urinate when you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), it’s important to drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Healthy adults should aim to drink at least eight regular-size glasses of water on an everyday basis. Drinking lots of fluids can help flush out all the harmful bacteria from your urinary tract.

Use Heating Pads

Heating pads are often overlooked as a UTI home remedy, but they can actually be quite effective in easing some of the discomfort and reducing the number of frequent trips to the bathroom that can come with a UTI. For best results, you must apply the heating pad to the area of your lower abdomen.

However, if you are in severe pain that does not go away with at-home treatments, it is probably time to see a doctor. Many different factors can cause severe pain, so it's important to get a professional opinion to find out what's causing your pain and how to treat it.

Have Healthy Hygiene Habits

Practicing healthy hygiene habits is the best way to prevent UTIs. Some simple tips to follow are:

  • Wash your genitals with mild soap and water every day
  • Wipe genitals from front to back (after you use the restroom)
  • Urinate soon after sexual intercourse
  • Drink a lot of fluids (especially water) on a regular basis
  • Empty your bladder regularly

Apart from these precautions, it is critical to empty your bladder on a regular basis to avoid a urinary tract infection. Holding your pee for too long can sometimes cause bacteria to build up in the bladder, which puts you at risk for infection. Peeing (or urinating) after having sex may help reduce your risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) by flushing out bacteria that could have been introduced during intercourse.

Consume No Bladder Irritants

When you have a urinary tract infection (UTI), you must avoid bladder irritants such as spicy food, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and carbonated drinks. These substances can further aggravate your UTI, making it more difficult for your body’s immune system to fight off the infection.

You should instead focus on eating nutritious and healthy foods that are good for your overall health. This includes eating high-fiber carbohydrates, such as lentil soup or oatmeal. By doing so, you can not only deal with your urinary tract infection but also be less likely to experience digestive issues such as constipation or indigestion.

Conclusion

Your bladder is a hollow organ located in your lower abdomen. It stores urine and releases it only when you urinate. UTIs occur when bacteria from the intestines or the surrounding area enter the urinary tract and multiply there.

UTIs are most common in women because their urethra is short and only about 1 inch in length. Because it is such a small opening, it is easy for bacteria to enter and cause an infection.

A urinary tract infection causes symptoms such as a frequent need to urinate, burning or pain during urination, cloudy and bad-smelling urine, and pelvic pain. If you are experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, you may be suffering from a urinary tract infection.

Although the majority of UTIs are caused by E. coli, there are other bacteria that can also lead to UTIs. If you think you have been experiencing symptoms of a UTI, you should contact your physician right away. UTIs are mostly treated with antibiotics, but a doctor may need to perform a diagnosis first.

The best ways to prevent UTIs are by drinking plenty of fluids, staying well-hydrated, and cleaning yourself well after using the bathroom. Apart from that, you can also try the natural home remedies mentioned in this informative piece of writing. They have been working wonders for a lot of people around the world!

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult a specialist & get answers to your questions!
chat_icon

Ask a free question

Get FREE multiple opinions from Doctors

posted anonymously
doctor

Book appointment with top doctors for Urinary Tract Infection treatment

View fees, clinc timings and reviews
doctor

Treatment Enquiry

Get treatment cost, find best hospital/clinics and know other details