Urinary Tract Infection Home Remedy

What is a UTI? Listed below is a few urinary tract infection home remedy. Also find out what are the symptoms of uti, causes of urinary tract infections and how to prevent frequent urinary tract infections.

UTI or urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection which is caused by the escherichia coli or E. coli bacteria. A urinary tract comprises of the kidney, ureter, bladder and urethra. The most common urinary tract infections are bladder infection or cystitis and urethral infection or also called urethritis. If cystitis and urethritis are not treated the infections will spread to the kidneys. It can develop into kidney infection or pyelonephritis.

Women are at a higher risk of getting urinary tract infection compared to men because of the close proximity of the anus to the urethra and the short distance between the urethral opening to the bladder. Urinary tract infection symptoms depend on which part of your urinary tract is infected.

One of the most common urethritis symptoms is a painful or burning sensation when you urinate. Besides painful urination, signs of a bladder infection may include frequent urination, pain in the lower abdomen and blood in urine. Some of the symptoms of a kidney infection are frequent and painful urination, high fever and chill and upper back pain.

If you suspect you have urinary tract infection, you should see a doctor so that you will receive antibiotic to kill the bacteria. At the same time, you can try any of the urinary tract infection home remedy and home treatment for urinary tract infection listed below to ease the pain or to prevent UTI.

Urinary tract infection home remedy No. 1 - Flush out the bacteria

One of the ways to flush out the bacteria from your urinary system is to drink at least about 8 glasses of water a day. When you drink a lot of water, it will dilute your urine and you will also have the urge to frequently urinate. The bacteria can't multiply if you get rid of the urine. You must avoid alcohol, coffee, citrus juices and beverages that contain caffeine because they have the tendency to irritate your bladder.

Urinary tract infection home remedy No. 2 - Herbal remedy for UTI

1. Native Americans have used the leaves of arctostaphylos uva ursi for urinary tract infection treatment. Studies done found that uva ursi has astringent and antibacterial properties and contains arbutin, hydroquinone and tannins. The compounds help reduce inflammations and fight infections.
   
   
   
2. Goldenseal root contains berberine and was used in traditional medicine to fight bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Some test tube studies showed that goldenseal has antibiotic properties and a disinfectant and has the potential to active white blood cells to fight infections and strengthens the immune system.
   
   
   
3. For centuries, althea officinalis or marshmallow herb has been used in treating urinary tract infection especially cystitis and urethritis. Marshmallow herb contains starch, mucilage, pectin and asparagin. It is a natural demulcent and forms a film over inflamed tissues and can help provide pain relief.
   
   
   
4. South Africans have been using buchu herb or barosma betulina to treat symptoms of urinary tract infection. It has diuretic, anti inflammatory and antispasmodic properties and is a disinfectant. Some studies indicated that buchu contains oil that can help kill bacteria in the urinary tract.
   
   
   
5. Usnea lichen herb has powerful antibiotic and antifungal properties. It has been used for at least 1000 years to fight infections. Studies discovered that usnea contains a high amount of vitamin C and this is good because vitamin C decreases urinary pH making it a unfavorable for bacteria to grow.
   
   
   
6. The extract from stinging nettle leaves is another herb that has been traditionally used for urinary tract infection home remedy. Nettles have anti inflammatory and diuretic properties and may help increase urine flow.

Other herbs or natural remedy for UTI are corn silk, horsetail, olive leaf, sarsaparilla and yarrow herbs.

Urinary tract infection home remedy No. 3 - Use heat

One of UTI symptoms is lower abdomen pain. To ease it, use a heating pad or warm compress on your abdomen. Applying castor oil and then compressing it with a warm cloth or hot bottle can help provide pain relief. A soak in a warm bath may also help.

Urinary tract infection home remedy No. 4 - Try natural analgesic

Analgesic is pain killer or pain reliever. If your pain is unbearable and you can't see a doctor immediately, try drinking black cohosh root,kava kava or white willow bark tea as UTI treatment.

Preventing UTI

1. According to a research presented at a IDSA annual meeting, drinking 8 ounces of cranberry juice regularly may help protect against urinary tract infections. The research revealed that cranberry has antibacterial properties and contains a specific tannin that has the ability to prevent E. coli bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder and thus prevent bladder infection. Blueberries and vitamin C may also support healthy urinary tract.
   
   
   
2. One of the causes of frequent urinary tract infections is because of a weak immune system. To build your body's defense against bacteria, one of the things you have to do is take supplements or drink and eat foods that help support effective immune system functioning . Herbs such as cone flower, echinacea, green oats and lemon balm are helpful. Vitamin A, E and zinc are also beneficial to the immune system.
   
   
   
3. Practice safe sex because sexually transmitted disease such as herpes can cause urethritis. And it is highly recommended that you wash your genital and anal areas after a sexual activity.
   
   
   
4. Monitor your diet. Certain foods such as spicy foods and dairy products can trigger UTI.
   
   
   
5. Avoid douching or using feminine deodorant spray.

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