Fight UTI With 7 Effective Home Remedies

Have you felt a burning sensation in your bladder while you pee? If you are unable to control your urinary urges and feel irritation in your vagina or groin, chances are high that you have fallen prey to urinary tract infection. This infection can spread fast from your urethra to kidneys, damaging them and can also sometimes be life-threatening. While the disorder is commonly treated with antibiotics, recent reports suggest that these may cause more harm than good. So here are 7 viable home remedies that will ease your agonizing UTI symptoms and even prevent them in the first place.

1. Fill up on water

This is one of the most important things you should do if you realise that you have urinary tract infection. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) drinking water can put your body at recovery mode by flushing away the bacteria that's causing your infection in the first place.

Aim to drink half of your body weight which is up to 2-3 litres a day on an average, says Holly Lucille, ND, RN, naturopathic doctor and author of Creating and Maintaining Balance: A Woman's Guide to Safe, Natural Hormone Health. However, patients already suffering from kidney disorders need to be cautious and should consult their doctor first.

2. Up the quantity of your Vitamin C

This includes foods like oranges, broccoli, kale, bell peppers, strawberries and guava. Eating Vitamin C rich foods is important, according to research led by Johns Hopkins Medicine, since this makes our urine more acidic, thus inhibiting the growth of bacteria in our urinary tract. Urologists also advise taking vitamin C supplements if you have an active UTI.
 

3. Enjoy the heat

Using a heat pat on the area that has inflammation and irritation because of UTI can help. The heat soothes burning, pressure, and pain around your pubic area. It is important however, to keep the heat setting low and not to apply it directly on the skin to avoid burns.

4. Search your diet for irritants

Coffee, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, tea, chocolate, tomatoes and spicy food can irritate your bladder and since some of them are diuretics, they can produce more urine in your body. Also, alcohol can reduce your brain's signals about bladder control and cause dehydration in the body, making it harder for your body to heal. Focus on eating healthy foods, such as high-fiber carbohydrates, blueberries and yogurt, which are good for your digestive health.
 

5. Keep Emptying Your Bladder

This is important for obvious reasons. Every time you empty your bladder, you rid your body of harmful bacteria that are causing the infection. So don't limit your bathroom runs.

6. Use Herbal Remedies

Goldenseal and Oregon grape are effective as they contain berberine that kill harmful bacteria and stimulate the immune system to fight. They also prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of your bladder. Uva ursi is also a popular remedy that fights infection with the help of a compound called arbutin.

7. Switch to Healthier Habits

Lifestyle changes can prevent you from getting another bout of infection. Make sure you wear loose cotton underwear to prevent bacteria from passing through. Also, it's important to wipe your vaginal area clean from front to back to prevent rashes.

Also read: UTI Symptoms In Men