Home Remedy for Bladder Infection

What are the signs of bladder infection? This list of home remedy for bladder infection may help in treating the common cystitis symptoms?

In medical terms, a bladder infection is called cystitis and it is one of the most common urinary tract infections besides kidney infection. The infection is largely caused by the Escherichia coli or or E. coli bacteria that have invaded the urinary tract and contaminated the urine in the bladder.

The signs of bladder infection are a strong and persistent urge to urinate but there is only a small amount of urine that comes out each time. It is usually accompanied by a burning sensation or bladder pain on urination. Other symptoms of a bladder infection may include cloudy or strong smelling urine, lower abdominal pain, low fever, chills and discomfort in the pelvic area.

Home remedy for bladder infection No. 1 - Drink water

When you sense the first sign of a bladder infection, drink water immediately and continue to drink a glass of water every hour. The water will dilute your urine and wash off the bacteria. One of the reasons for frequent urinary tract infections is because of not drinking enough liquids especially water. So drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day will help in preventing bladder infections.

Home remedy for bladder infection No. 2 - Apple cider vinegar

Add two tablespoons of raw, organic and unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it. Repeat it every two hours and it would usually help treat the problem. You can also add it to pure unsweetened cranberry if you can bear the taste.

Home remedy for bladder infection No. 3 - Cranberry

Cranberry is able to make the urine more acidic and this can prevent bacterial growth. Drinking cranberry juice or taking the supplement regularly is one of the ways in preventing cystitis. If there are bacteria, it will help flush out the bacteria in the bladder and urethra. But drink pure unsweetened cranberry juice. If it's difficult to swallow the pure and bitter juice, you can opt for cranberry fruit extract in the form of capsules.

Home remedy for bladder infection No. 4 -D-mannose

One of the causes of a bladder infection is when e coli bacteria stick to the inner walls of the bladder. One of the benefits of taking d-mannose as a remedy for bladder infection is that d-mannose sticks to the e coli lectins and flush them out during urination. D-mannose is available in capsules and powder form.

Home remedy for bladder infection No. 5 - Use heat

One of the accompanying symptoms of a bladder infection is lower abdominal pain. To ease this pain, use a heating pad, hot water bottle or take a warm sitz bath.

Home remedy for bladder infection No. 6 - Herbal remedies

South Africans have been using buchu leaf to treat cystitis. Buchu leaf extract is now available and recommended for urinary tract health.

Drinking birch leaf tea can help stimulate urination. It is one of the herbs that is used to help flush kidney stones as well as in the treatment of urinary infections.

Dandelion root and leaf extracts and herbal tea is a natural diuretic and can help stimulate the flow of urine.

Some other herbs that are used as remedies for bladder infections and for urinary tract health are bearberry, blackhaw, burdock root, cornsilk, garden valerian, kava kava, kelp, parsley, pygeum africanum and uva ursi berries.

Women are more prone to bladder infections. The urethra which is the tube that connects the bladder to the vaginal opening is only about 1 and a half inches. It is then important to ensure cleanliness before and after sexual intercourse. This is because the Escherichia coli bacteria which are normally present in the bowel and anal area will find it easy to travel from the vagina and anal to the bladder.

If you keep getting recurring bladder or urinary tract infections, find the cause. Using a diaphragm can contribute. Some foods, alcohol, stress, lack of genital hygiene and menstruation may also be a factor.

See a doctor if your cystitis symptoms appear during pregnancy. If you have health problems such as diabetes, kidney disease, have high blood pressure or if there's blood in your urine, seek professional help before trying any of the remedy for bladder infection.

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