UTI Home Remedy

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is defined as a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. The urine generally does not contain bacteria, viruses and fungi, so when bacteria get into the bladder or kidney and multiply in the urine, they cause a UTI. Cystitis is the most common from of UTI and it results from an infection in the bladder. Pyelonephritis is a kidney infection and a more serious type of UTI. UTI is fairly easy to treat but it does cause a lot of discomfort.

Infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body and are more common in women than men for unexplained reasons. The bladder infections usually come with frequent urination including during the night, pain, fever and foul- smelling urine. Infection in the kidney will cause vomiting, abdominal pain, night sweats, fatigue and extreme thirst among other symptoms. An infection occurs when bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body; if the infection remains in the urethra it is referred to as urethritis.

Common risk factors for UTI are abnormalities in the urinary tract, an enlarged prostate gland, catheters and diabetes.

Remedies for UTI

Home Remedies

1. Drink plenty of water every day. Water increases urine flow and cleanses the body by diluting and flushing out unwanted substances. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily.
2. Mixture 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in eight ounce glass of water and consume at the first signs of urinary tract infection. The presence of baking soda in the system raises the acid-base balance of the acidic urine.
3. Cranberry juice prevents bacteria from clinging to the cells which line the urinary tract and is a great home remedy for fighting UTI, however if there is increased irritation dilute the cranberry juice to lower acidic levels. Fresh berry juice consumed as part of the daily diet can hinder UTI.
4. Do not procrastinate when you feel the urge to urinate.
5. Vitamin C prevents the bacterial growth due to the acidic environment created in the bladder and the urinary tract. Include a diet of milk, fruits and fresh vegetables to maintain alkaline content in the body. Avoid processed foods such as cheese, chocolate and dairy products and spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol.
6. You can make an essential oil by using equal parts of sandalwood, bergamot, tea tree, frankincense and juniper. Mix all these ingredients to make an oil to be rubbed over your bladder area. Continue this massaging technique for three to four days once the symptoms subside.
7. Place a warm or heated compress on the abdomen to ease the pain of UTI.
8. Wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria around the anus from entering the vagina or urethra.
9. Take showers instead of tub baths.
10. Cleanse the genital area before sexual intercourse can help in preventing UTI; however sexual intercourse should be avoided when you have UTI as this will only aggravate the symptoms further.
11. Avoid using feminine hygiene sprays and scented douches, which may irritate the urethra.
12. One of the simpler UTI home remedies is to avoid tight or close fitting under garments as these will cause further pain and discomfort as well as promoting bacterial activity.