Looking for home remedies for UTIs? You’ve come to the right place! Read below to learn about urinary tract infection home remedies and how to get rid of that burning urine feeling for good! (And prevent them from happening in the first place at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs!)
NAFC recently conducted a survey that asked people how they were dealing with urological conditions during the pandemic. A surprising finding was that many of you reported an increase in urinary tract infections. While we don’t know why more frequent UTIs are happening – stress, a decrease in personal grooming, or poor diet choices may all be culprits – we do realize that urinary tract infections can be annoying, painful, and can cause an increase in incontinence or bladder leaks. And when they strike, you’re likely wondering how to get rid of a UTI fast at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs!
What Are UTI Infections?
Both men and women can get urinary tract infections, which are brought on by foreign germs that enter the urinary tract, usually from the bowel. According to the 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs, around 60% of women and 12% of men will experience at least one UTI in their lives.
If you’ve ever had one, you will recognize the symptoms immediately: burning urine sensations when you pee, cramping, frequent trips to the bathroom, strong-smelling pee that may appear cloudy or dark, and a feeling of not quite being able to empty your bladder are all hallmark symptoms of UTIs at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
UTIs are also annoying and frustrating, especially if they happen to you often. And, while the standard treatment for a UTI is pretty commonplace (an antibiotic usually clears it up in a few days), an in-person visit with your doctor to get that diagnosis and antibiotic prescription may not exactly be high on your list of things to do right now.
Getting Rid Of A UTI From Home
While antibiotics are the fastest and most recommended way to treat urinary tract infections, they sometimes don’t work. You may also be wary of taking an antibiotic due to certain risks that accompany that treatment. In that case, a UTI home remedy may be the most appealing option at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Luckily, there are some great home remedies for urine infections you can try to treat the condition. Below are some of the best natural UTI home remedies you can try. Some treatments may even help you get rid of your UTI in as little as 24 hours!
BEST NATURAL HOME REMEDIES FOR UTIS
If you want to try a uti treatment from home, it may be as easy as turning on your faucet or checking your vitamin cabinet. Keep reading for tips on how to get rid of a UTI quickly with some of these holistic treatments for UTIs.
You may also like Natural Solutions for Alleviate OAB Symptoms in the Realm of Incontinence.
Drink Lots Of Water
Drinking lots of water, and emptying your bladder when you need to, will help you flush harmful bacteria from your system. You may be hesitant to drink water due to the burning sensation you may have when peeing, but trust us on this – getting in your recommended 8 glasses a day will do you a world of good at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
You can also incorporate water-based foods – watermelon, oranges, lettuce, soups and broths are all great examples of foods that have high water content.
This is one of our favorite home remedies for UTIs and one of the best ways to get rid of a UTI fast.
Be sure to drink water throughout the day – if you wait until you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Try Drinking Some Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
Drinking cranberry juice is probably one of the most popular home remedies for UTIs. While the research is a bit unclear, cranberries have been used as a prevention of UTI for generations. Studies have shown that cranberries actually make it harder for the bacteria that cause UTIs to stick to the urinary tract walls at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
So, while not really a remedy, if you frequently get UTIs, it might be worth drinking a couple of glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice, or snacking on the actual fruit (whole or dried). (Note: the “unsweetened” is key here – consuming juices with added sugars may only make your urinary tract infection worse.)
Don’t “Hold It”
We all get busy, but holding off going to the bathroom gives any bacteria that may already be in your bladder the chance to grow and multiply, potentially resulting in infection (or keeping one that you already have alive and well). Drink lots of water and when you have to go, go at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Try Taking A Probiotic
Introducing a probiotic to your system is a great home remedy for UTIs as it may help to replenish the naturally occurring, healthy bacteria that live in the gut. It is thought that probiotics may prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to the urinary tract cells, and may also lower the urine Ph, making it less hospitable to harmful bacteria at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
And, if you have taken an antibiotic to treat a UTI, taking a probiotic is a great way to build up the healthy bacteria that may have been killed during your course of treatment. Probiotics are found in supplement form (often a capsule), or they occur naturally in some types of food, including certain yogurts, kombucha, or kefir at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Eat Garlic
It turns out that garlic doesn’t just ward off vampires. A recent study showed that garlic extract may be effective in reducing the bacteria that cause UTIs at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Add Vitamin C To Your Diet
Not only does vitamin C help strengthen your immune system, but it may also acidify your urine, which limits the growth of some bacteria and may prevent urinary tract infections from occurring. Just be careful of eating too many acidic foods when you have a UTI, as they can potentially irritate your bladder, which may only make your UTI symptoms worse. This is a great home remedy for UTIs and one that can benefit your whole body at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Avoid Bladder Irritating Foods When You Have A UTI
Certain foods are known bladder irritants – citrus or very acidic foods, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, alcohol – these can all irritate the bladder, leading to bladder leaks. And, if you currently have a UTI, they may affect you even more. Try to watch out for these common bladder irritants to prevent further irritation to your bladder and UTI at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Wipe From Front To Back
This one is more about prevention. Because many UTIs develop from the spread of bacteria from the rectum, it’s important to pay attention to how you wipe both after a bowel movement and after urinating. Always wipe from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria to the urethra, and onto the urinary tract at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Pee After Sex
Another good prevention measure – be sure to pee after you’ve had sexual intercourse to wash away any harmful bacteria and prevent it from spreading, which can lead to painful urinary tract infections at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Try D-mannose
D-mannose is a sugar-related compound often used to treat and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly those caused by E. coli bacteria. It works by interfering with the adhesion of E. coli to the urinary tract walls. The bacteria typically bind to D-mannose instead of the urinary tract cells, allowing them to be flushed out during urination. This mechanism helps prevent the establishment of an infection and is also utilized as a preventive measure for individuals prone to recurrent UTIs at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
You can typically find D-Mannose in the vitamin aisle of your grocery store of pharmacy. Similar to cranberry juice, D-Mannose has needs a bit more research to conclusively say it will cure your UTIs, but it’s worth a shot!
Give Vaginal Estrogen a try
Just when you thought you knew all the symptoms of menopause, we’re going to throw you another one at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Following the onset of menopause, the vulvar skin undergoes a thinning process, accompanied by an elevation in the vaginal pH, transitioning towards a more neutral state. This can make menopausal women much more susceptible to bladder infections.
Applying vaginal estrogen can counteract these changes, and at the same time, decrease the likelihood of urinary tract infections (UTIs) at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Be Mindful Of Your Birth Control | uti treatment at home
Using spermicides, diaphragms, and condoms with spermicides can increase the likelihood of experiencing more urinary tract infections (UTIs) for women. Consider alternate methods of birth control if you use any of these options and experience frequent UTIs at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
HOW TO EASE THE PAIN OF A UTI
Let’s face it – UTIs can be incredibly painful, and is probably one of the biggest reasons you’re looking for home treatments in the first place – you want to know how to cure a UTI FAST.
If you’re experiencing pain due to a urinary tract infection, the following may help ease it until you’re able to treat and get rid of the UTI at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs:
WEAR LOOSE CLOTHING
Your goal here is to prevent moisture from accumulating in the pelvic region, which could make your infection worse. Wearing loose clothing, preferably made from cotton or other natural materials will help keep moisture at bay and will help you feel more comfortable at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
APPLY HEAT
Use a heating pad, a warm washcloth, or a hot water bottle to apply heat to your bladder or pelvic area if you’re feeling pain or discomfort there from your UTI. You may also wish to take a warm bath to help relieve any pain and to help your muscles relax at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
TAKE AN OTC PAIN RELIEVER
Over-the-counter pain medications can temporarily relieve pain caused by a UTI. Use caution here, and always speak with a doctor first, as some UTIs can turn into kidney infections. In these cases, patients should avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which could make the infection worse at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR FOR YOUR UTI
If your symptoms persist beyond a few days with no sign of improvement, or if your infection keeps recurring, it’s best to see a doctor. While many home remedies may ease symptoms, if they persist your doctor will be able to determine the cause and prescribe a course of antibiotics that should help take care of your UTI right away and prevent it from leading to a worsening condition or infection at 12 BEST Home Remedies For UTIs.
Have you tried any of the above natural remedies for UTIs, or other home treatments to treat your urinary tract infection? Tell us about them in the comments below!