Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infection

What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

The urinary tract comprises the system that is responsible for making and extracting urine from the human body. The urinary tract comprises the kidneys, ureters, urethra, and the bladder. An infection in the urinary tract that is caused by bacteria, fungi, or parasites is commonly referred to as the urinary tract infection.

Urinary tract infections in the bladder are typically not very serious if treated in a timely manner. However, if you choose to ignore the bladder infection, it might spread to the kidneys and can be very dangerous.

Causes of Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection is caused when germs from the urethra get into the urinary system. These germs thrive in the large intestine and are passed out of the body in your stool. If the germs found in the stool get into the urethra, they can travel up to the bladder and the kidneys and cause an infection. Urinary tract infections are more common in women as they have shorter urethra.

Women who do not drink enough fluids, are pregnant, or diabetic are more likely to get UTIs. Medical conditions such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate gland can also increase your chances of getting a urinary tract infection as the flow of urine from the bladder gets blocked in these conditions.

Common symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection

Common symptoms of urinary tract infections are given below:

• One of the most common symptoms of a urinary tract infection is the strong urge to urinate frequently, even after just emptying the bladder.

• A sharp pain in the back or the pelvic region can also be an indication of a UTI.

• A feeling of discomfort, bloating, and pressure in the lower abdomen can be a sign of the urinary tract infection.

• The act of urination is often accompanied by a burning, painful sensation when a person suffers from UTI.

• A cloudy urine, with occasional traces of blood and a strong foul smell can also indicate a urinary tract infection.

• Another symptom of a UTI is a feeling of tenderness around the pelvic region.

Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections

Some common home remedies for urinary tract infection are listed below.

• Cranberry: A clinical study published in JAMA in the year 1994 claims that cranberry juice can actually prevent the occurrence of UTI. Cranberries are rich in compounds such as proanthocyanidins which can prevent E.coli bacteria from adhering to the urethral walls.

This prevents their buildup in the urethra and in turn reduces the occurrence of UTI. Numerous cranberry-based supplements such as Ellura are available in the market and are widely used by people suffering from recurring UTI. Cranberry juice is also known to have mild antibiotic properties. Drinking pure cranberry juice is recommended for alleviating the symptoms of UTI as juice blends might not contain the high amount of concentrate needed for effective results.

• Pineapple: Pineapple contains the enzyme Bromelain which is known to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. Eating about a cup full of pineapple on a daily basis can help reduce the symptoms of urinary tract infection. Pineapple is also rich in vitamin C which is an excellent immunity booster. Fresh pineapples should always be preferred as canned pineapples contain preservatives and added sugar.

• Baking soda: The moment you observe the first sign of UTI, it is recommended that you start drinking one teaspoon of soda in a glass of water, at least once or twice a day. Baking soda can help in neutralizing acidic urine and thereby eases the pain and other symptoms associated with urinary tract infection.

• Water: Increasing your water intake is one of the best remedies for a UTI. Drinking lots of water helps the body in flushing out the bacteria from the urinary tract. Since urination is accompanied by a painful and burning sensation when people are suffering from urinary tract infection, they tend to lessen their fluid intake. However, increasing your water intake helps in a faster reduction of pain. Drinking lots of water not only makes the urine less concentrated but also washes out the infectious bacteria.

• Vitamin C supplements: Vitamin C supplements, when consumed in large quantities, tend to inhibit the growth of bacteria that might cause symptoms of UTI. Vitamin C increases the acidity level of the urine and this inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria.

• Uva Ursi: The uva ursi herb is very effective in cleaning the urinary system and the kidneys. The urva usi herb is typically used in the form of a tincture or a tea and a person exhibiting signs of UTI must consume the herb at least once a day. The uva ursi herb is commonly found in the hilly areas of North America. It contains a chemical known as arbutoside that has antibiotic properties. The arbutoside present in uva ursi becomes a type of hydroquinone when it passes through the bladder. However, this herb should not be used in large amounts over a period of time as hydroquinone is carcinogenic and can cause damage to the liver.

• Goldenseal: Goldenseal is a herb that is rich in the chemical compound known as berberine. Berberine prohibits bacteria from adhering to the urethral walls. Goldenseal is available in the form of an over-the-counter tablet, capsule, and even as a liquid extract.

• Juniper berry tea: Juniper berries are natural diuretics and tend to stimulate the kidney and the bladder. You can try adding peppermint and ginger to juniper tea. The peppermint and ginger help in alkalizing the urine and this can lessen the burning sensation commonly experienced with a UTI.

• Frequent urination: Another useful home remedy for urinary tract infection is by trying not to resist the urge to urinate. You must urinate as often as you feel the need to and try to keep your bladder empty.