A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that can occur in any part of the urinary system including the kidney, bladder, uterus, and urethra. Urinary tract infection is a very common infection and according to a scientific study, about 50 to 60 percent of women have urinary tract infection (UTI) at least once in their lifetime.
It is more common in women than that of men. This article will reveal the cause and treatment of urinary infections. In addition, here you will also know about the best home remedies to treat a urinary tract infection.
Causes of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI):
The main cause of urinary infection is believed to be the bacteria that enter the bladder through the urethra. This infection usually develops in the bladder, but it can also spread to the kidney.
In most cases, this infection is cured on its own. However, the possibility of a urinary infection may increase in some situations, which are seen as the causes. These conditions are as follows —
- Diabetes problem
- Kidney stone
- Urinary tract surgery or other procedure
- Having trouble emptying the bladder completely
- Having a urinary catheter (a special tube that carries urine out of the bladder)
- Intestinal problem
- Blockage of urine (eg enlarged prostate, narrowed urethra)
- Staying stable for a long time (especially when someone is recovering from a hip fracture)
- During pregnancy
- Age or other conditions that affect care habits (such as Alzheimer’s disease and delirium (a type of mental illness))
Symptoms of UTI Infection:
Symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI) may vary between women and men. Here we are referring to the urinary infection system in a systematic way —
- Some people may have a mild fever
- Pain or burning sensation with the urine
- Spasms in the lower abdomen or back
- The feeling of urination even after urinating
- Urine thickening, blood in urine or change in its color (eg. yellow), which can cause a bad odor
Apart from this, if the infection spreads to the kidney, then these types of symptoms can also be seen —
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Fatigue
- Feeling sick
- Fever above 101° F
- Back Pain
- Red or hot skin
- Mental changes or confusion (mainly these symptoms appear in the elderly)
- nausea and vomiting
- Occasionally severe abdominal pain
Home Remedies to Reduce Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs):
Using the following home remedies can help in relieving urine tract infections. However, before that we make it clear that the measures mentioned here are not the cure of this disease. This can only help to reduce the symptoms of the problem.
So let’s dive into the article and know what things can be used for home treatment of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
1. Cranberry Juice:
Material Required:
- 100 grams of cranberry
- A cup of water
- A teaspoon of honey
How To Use:
- Wash the cranberries thoroughly
- Boil one cup of water in a pan
- Now add cranberries in the water and cover it for 10-15 minutes on medium heat and let it boil
- After boiling well, put the cranberries in a sieve and squeeze them gently by pressing with a spoon
- After it cools down, put the juice in a glass and add spoonful of honey
- Now it is ready to drink
Benefits:
Cranberry juice can be beneficial to get relief from infection in the urine. According to a study, regular intake of cranberry juice can relieve urinary tract infection (UTI). In addition, the flavonoids present in it may also help to prevent bacteria causing infection from spreading.
2. Blueberry Juice:
Material Required:
- 100 grams of blueberries
- Half of lemon juice
- A cup of water
How To Use:
- Wash and grind blueberries in a mixer
- You can add a cup of water to it while grinding
- After grinding it well, pour it in a sieve and squeeze the pulp to extract the juice
- When the glass is full, drink lemon juice mixed with it
Benefits:
Blueberries contain bacteriostatic properties, which help to fight against urinary tract infections (UTIs). At the same time, it can also help to prevent the bacteria from causing infection. In addition to this, the vitamin C present in blueberry fruit can be helpful in removing bacteria from the body. It can also help to boost immunity.
3. Baking Soda:
Material Required:
- A spoonful of baking soda
- A glass of water
How To Use:
- Drink one spoonful of baking soda in a glass of water
Benefits:
Frequent urinary infections can be really very painful. For this, the use of baking soda can be beneficial. Baking soda can relieve pain by reducing the amount of acid in the urine. It can also help to prevent infection from spreading.
At the same time, according to a scientific research, baking soda can also relieve the problem of frequent intense urination and excessive urination at night. On this basis, baking soda may prove to be a better option for the home treatment of urinary tract infections.
4. Tea Tree Oil:
Material Required:
- 9-10 Drops of tea tree oil
- Hot tub
- 1/4 Cup of sandalwood oil
How To Use:
- Put a few drops of tea tree oil in the bathtub and sit in it for a while
- In addition, by adding a few drops of tea tree oil to sandalwood oil, one can also massage it over the area near the bladder
Benefits:
Tea-tree oil is rich in antibacterial properties, which can be effective against bacteria causing bladder infection. This is confirmed by a research involving home remedies related to urinary tract infections. In such a situation, it is not wrong to say that tea tree oil can be very beneficial in reducing urine infection.
5. Apple Vinegar:
Material Required:
- Two tablespoons of apple vinegar
- Half lemon juice
- A spoonful of honey
- A cup of water
How To Use:
- Drink a cup of water mixed with apple vinegar, honey and lemon juice
- You can drink this mixture three times a day to treat urinary infection
Benefits:
The use of apple vinegar also may play a vital role in treating urine infections. Apple vinegar contains a rich amount to potassium, which can help to prevent bacteria from growing and thus helps to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
Apple vinegar also has antibiotic properties, which help to fight against infections. Not only this, the acetic acid present in it can also be very effective in relieving infection by eliminating bacteria. In addition, apple vinegar can also serve as a better detoxifier, which can help the body to flush out toxins.
6. Vitamin-C:
Material Required:
- Vitamin-C-rich fruits like oranges, broccoli, blood orange, bell paper, cauliflower, spinach, tomato, etc.
How To Use :
- Include vitamin-C-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet
Benefits:
Consumption of vitamin C-rich foods and vegetables can also be beneficial for urinary—problems. Vitamin C is a nutrient, which can help to fight against infection by upgrading biological agents. This is why vitamin C intake may be beneficial to reduce the symptoms of urinary tract infection.
7. Pineapple:
Material Required:
- A cup of pineapple
How To Use:
- Put the pineapple in the mixer and grind it well to make a pulp
- Now put the pulp in the sieve and squeeze out its juice with the help of a spoon
- Add juice to a glass and consume it
- You can also consume a cup of pineapple if you want
Benefits:
According to a research, the bromelain enzyme found in pineapple fruit exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which may reduce the symptoms of urinary infection. In such a situation, the use of pineapple can be beneficial to reduce urine infection symptoms.
8. Green Tea:
Material Required:
- A cup of hot water
- A green tea bag
- A spoonful of honey
How To Use:
- Put a green tea bag in a cup of hot water for a while
- Then take the bag out of the cup
- Now mix a spoonful of honey and consume it
Benefits:
According to scientific research, green tea has some antimicrobial properties, which can prove effective in killing bacteria. Research states that green tea not only treats urinary tract infections domestically but also may help to prevent them from occurring.
9. Lemon Juice:
Material Required:
- A cup of lukewarm water
- Half of the lemon juice
How To Use :
- Take a cup of lukewarm water and mix lemon juice to it
- Drink this remedy on an empty stomach every morning
Benefits:
The use of lemon may also prove to be helpful in the home treatment of urine infections. According to research, lemon has antimicrobial properties. This property of lemon can help to eliminate infection-causing bacteria from the root. For this reason, lemon can help in treating urinary infections.
10. Coconut Oil:
Material Required:
- Two to three teaspoons of coconut oil
How To Use:
- Include two to three teaspoons of coconut oil in your diet
Benefits:
Coconut oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. At the same time, according to a scientific research, omega 3-fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, which can be helpful in treating urinary infections.
In addition, coconut oil can also help to prevent bacteria from directly causing urinary tract infections. On this basis, coconut oil can be considered useful for getting relief from urinary tract infections.
11. Garlic:
Material Required:
- Two buds of garlic
- Half a teaspoon of olive oil
How To Use:
- Peel the garlic and grate them
- Add olive oil to it and consume it
Benefits:
The use of garlic can also be effective to reduce the symptoms of infection in the urine. Garlic has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce the irritation and pain caused by urinary infections.
According to a scientific study, it also helps in relieving the problem of frequent urination. Also, the use of garlic can be prevented frequent urinary infections. Apart from this, it can also help in getting relief from frequent and intense urination and pain.
12. Yogurt:
Material Required:
- One cup of yogurt
How To Use:
- Consume one cup of yogurt every day after meals.
Benefits:
According to a research, yogurt contains probiotics. These probiotics can help to protect the body from the risk of urinary infections. On this basis, it can be assumed that with the help of yogurt, urinary infections can be treated at home.
13. Parsley Tea:
Material Required:
- Parsley leaves
- Four cups of water
How To Use:
- Finely chop the parsley tea leaves
- Now keep the water for boiling and after boiling add chopped leaves to it
- Boil the leaves for about 15 minutes
- After boiling, strain the water in a cup and drink it
- Until the urine infection is completely treated, drink it twice a day
Benefits:
Parsley tea has a diuretic effect, which may help to excrete urine bacteria through urine. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help to reduce the irritation and pain caused by urinary infections. In such a situation, the use of parsley tea for urinary infection treatment at home can prove beneficial.
14. Water:
Material Required:
- Water
- Salt (optional)
How To Use:
- Drink at least eight glasses of water a day
- If you want, you can also add a pinch of salt to it
Benefits:
The use of water can be considered extremely beneficial in urinary tract infections. According to a research, drinking plenty of water keeps the body hydrated. It also increases the amount of urine.
In this case, bacteria can exit the urinary tract through urine. On this basis, it can be said that water intake can be beneficial for urine infection.
15. GoldenSeal (Hydrastis Canadensis):
Material Required:
- Capsules or juice of goldenseal
How To Use:
- Capsules can be taken as directed by the doctor
Benefits:
According to a research, goldenseals are rich in berberine, which can be used against many types of bacteria such as E. coli and Proteus. Not only this, but this research clearly shows that the use of goldenseal can also be beneficial to treat urinary infections.
16. Uva Ursi (Bearberry):
Material Required:
- Dry leaves of Uva Ursi
- Tea
How To Use:
- Soak the dried leaves of Uva Ursi overnight in the water
- When making tea the next morning, you can add it to the tea along with the tea leaf.
Benefits:
Uva Ursi can be used to treat urinary infections. It is a medicinal plant, which has been used since ancient times as a natural medicine for urinary infection treatment. It has antiseptic properties, which can help to fight against urinary tract infections.
17. D-Mannose:
It is a type of simple sugar found in many fruits. It helps to prevent infection-causing bacteria such as E.coli and excretes bacteria through urine. It works as an antibiotic for the treatment of urinary infections. You can take it as a capsule for urinary infection medicine from any pharmacy, as directed by your doctor.
18. Pico-Silver Solution:
The use of pico-silver solution may also be beneficial for the drug of urinary infection. It is a drug made of 99% pure silver elements, which is available in the market by the same name. Silver has anti-bacterial properties, which help fight against bacterial infection.
19. Amla (Gooseberry):
Material Required:
- 100 grams of gooseberry
- A pinch of black salt
How To Use :
- Cut the gooseberry into small pieces and grind it well in the mixer
- After the pulp is well formed, take it out in a sieve and squeeze it out with the help of a spoon
- Add a pinch of salt after adding the juice to a glass
- Now you can drink it
Benefits:
Using gooseberry for urinary tract infection treatment at home can also be beneficial. Gooseberries are considered a good source of vitamin C. As we’ve previously discussed in the article, enzymes present in Vitamin C fight infections and work to relieve tissue damage due to urinary infections.
In addition to this, it also has anti-microbial properties, which can help to prevent bacteria from causing urinary tract infections to thrive.
20. Clove Oil:
Material Required:
- A small spoonful of cloves
- One tablespoon of olive oil
- Five drops of oregano oil
- 10 drops of essential oil
How To Use:
- With the help of a pestle, crush the cloves and make a thin paste
- Now add one teaspoon of olive oil to it
- Then pour this oil into the bottle and mix oregano oil and essential oil (myrrh oil) in it
- Massage your soles with this mixture before going to bed at night
- After massaging, go to sleep wearing socks
Benefits:
Clove oil has antimicrobial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, and immunity-enhancing properties. Due to the combined effect of all these properties, clove oil can be helpful in treating urinary infections domestically. It can also be the reason for relieving irritation and swelling due to urinary infections.
Risks and Complications:
Urinary tract infection (UTI) may lead to many risks and complications such as —
- Kidney infection
- Kidney failure
- Urine infection can also lead to sepsis (fatal blood transfusion) in the future. Young, old individuals, and those who are more susceptible to this infection, whose immunity is lost due to some reason like – HIV patients
Prevention Tips for UTI:
Urinary tract infection can be avoided with the help of the following precautions —
- Go to urination immediately after any sexual or physical relationship
- Stay well hydrated and urinate regularly
- Take a shower instead of a bath
- Never stop urine
- Always keep the area around the anus and vulva clean, so that bacteria cannot grow there
- Use only cotton undergarments. Also, avoid wearing too-tight underwear
When To See A Doctor
There are some special symptoms, which should be seen immediately in case of urinary tract infection without delay —
- Chills
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Back or armpit pain
Conclusion
It is very easy to catch the problem of urinary tract infections (UTIs) with the symptoms. Do not use any medicine without your doctor’s advice. See your doctor right away, if a different colored or more smelly urine has been coming out for 2 to 3 days or more. Also, take special care of hygiene and cleanliness to avoid urinary infections. Remember, caution is the best and easiest way to avoid this problem.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs):
Q. How common is urinary tract infection?
A. 50 to 60 percent of women in the world have urinary tract infections. It is the second most common problem in pregnant women after anemia. This problem is more common in women than men. According to a scientific research, only about 5% of men are affected by it.
Q. Which foods to avoid during urinary tract infection?
A. The bacteria of urinary tract infection (UTI) thrive on sugar and people with diabetes are at a higher risk of having urinary infections. Therefore, avoid consuming foods that work to increase the amount of sugar in the body. Also avoid consuming coffee, tea, and other carbonated drinks.
Q. When does urinary tract infection turn into a kidney infection?
A. When E. coli bacteria reach the kidney due to a urinary infection, it takes the form of a kidney infection. In such a situation, due to timely treatment of urinary infection, a kidney infection can occur. Fever is common in kidney infections and distinguishes it from urinary infection.
Q. In how many days does urin infection heal?
A. In normal UTI, taking antibiotics can give women a rest in three days and men in 7 to 14 days. If a woman is pregnant or has diabetes problems, then antibiotics may be required for 7 to 14 days.
Q. Can wearing tight pants cause a UTI?
A. Yes, wearing a tight pant can cause a urinary tract infection. Actually, wearing tight pants bring moisture to the intimate parts, creating a suitable environment for bacteria to flourish. It is therefore advisable to wear loose pants with loose cotton underwear. Especially when you are suffering from urinary tract infection.
Q. Can Soda Cause UTIs?
A. Yes, soda can cause UTIs. Most sodas contain sugar, caffeine or artificial sweeteners, due to which soda can cause irritation to the urethra and bladder. Therefore, it is advisable not to consume soda at the time of urinary infection.
Q. Can UTI go away on its own?
A. Yes, UTI can be cured on its own in most cases.
Q. How long does a UTI last?
A. In most cases, urinary tract infections can be cured within 24 to 48 hours of treatment. At the same time, if there is a kidney infection, it may take 1 week or more for the symptoms to go away.
Q. Can UTI bacteria be ejected through water?
A. Yes, UTI bacteria can help flush out water. As we mentioned in the article, drinking sufficient amounts of water keeps the body hydrated. It also increases urine. In this case, bacteria can exit the urinary tract through urine.
Q. Can Urin infection occur in children?
A. Yes, urine infection can occur in children.
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