12 Home Remedies for UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
Are you one of the many people looking for a UTI home remedy? A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that can occur in any part of the urinary system, including the bladder, ureters, kidneys, and urethra. The most common symptom of a UTI is a burning sensation when urinating. Other symptoms may include cloudy or bloody urine, foul-smelling urine, frequent urination, and a constant urge to urinate. However, there are several things you can do at home to help relieve the symptoms of a UTI and speed up your recovery. Read on to learn more about ways to treat UTIs at home without antibiotics.
The most effective home remedies for UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
1. Drink plenty of fluids
The first and most important step in treating a UTI is to drink plenty of fluids. This helps to dilute your urine and flush out bacteria. Aim to drink six to eight glasses of water per day. You can also try unsweetened cranberry juice or herbal tea. Just make sure to avoid caffeine and alcohol irritating your bladder.
2. Apply heat
Applying heat to your lower abdomen can help ease the pain and discomfort caused by a UTI. Try placing a heating pad on your pelvic area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
3. Take an OTC medication
Several over-the-counter medications can help relieve the symptoms of a UTI, including pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen and urinary pain relievers like phenazopyridine hydrochloride.
4. Urinate frequently
Urinating frequently helps to flush out bacteria from your urinary system. Try to urinate every two to three hours during the day and before bedtime.
5. Increase your vitamin C intake
Vitamin C is a natural antibiotic that can help treat a UTI. You can increase your vitamin C intake by eating oranges, grapefruits, bell peppers, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts or by taking a supplement.
6. Take probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria that help to restore the balance of good bacteria in your gut. They can help fight off infection-causing bacteria in your urinary tract. In particular, lactobacillus probiotics effectively treat and prevent UTIs. You can find probiotics in supplements or fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and tempeh.
7. Sip unsweetened cranberry juice
Cranberries have long been used as a natural remedy for urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some evidence suggests that the proanthocyanidins in cranberry help prevent Escherichia coli bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract and causing an infection. Drink around 4 ounces of 100% pure cranberry juice daily or take supplements containing 300mg of cranberry extract three times per day for best results.
8. Eat more garlic
Garlic has antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it an effective home remedy for UTI infections. Add more garlic to your diet by cooking with it or taking supplements (600-1200mg daily)
9. Consider taking natural supplements
Natural supplements such as Canephron N, Uva-ursi (bearberry), Cranberry extract, and D-mannose can help treat and prevent UTIs by helping to flush out bacteria from the urinary tract. Check with your doctor before taking any supplements.
10. Avoid bladder irritants
Certain foods and beverages can irritate the bladder and make UTI symptoms worse. These include caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, spicy foods, and acidic fruits. If you are prone to UTIs, it may be best to avoid these trigger foods and drinks altogether.
11. Empty Your Bladder Fully
When you urinate, be sure to empty your bladder completely. This will help flush out any bacteria that is in your urinary tract.
12. Wear loose clothing
Tight-fitting clothing, especially pants and underwear, can worsen UTI symptoms by trapping moisture and bacteria. Choose loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibers like cotton to help to keep the area dry and clean.
Final thoughts
These are the top home remedies for UTIs suggested by medical professionals. However, it’s good to see a doctor if you think you may have a UTI, as some require antibiotics. See a doctor immediately if you experience any symptoms such as burning while urinating, cloudy urine, strong urinary odor, blood in urine, pelvic pain in women, testicular pain in men, fever, back pain, nausea, or vomiting. These symptoms could be signs of a more serious kidney infection.
Also Read: Can Men Get UTIs?
