Asthma & Allergy

4 home remedies for treating urinary tract infections

One of the most common health problems that women face is a urinary tract infection. Though even men are susceptible to urinary tract infection, it is more common in women as the urethra is shorter and the bacteria has less distance to travel to reach the bladder. The urinary tract infection is an infection that is caused by microbes, which are organisms that are too small to be seen without a microscope. Most urinary tract infections are caused by viruses and displaying symptoms like experiencing a burning sensation when one urinates, a frequent urge to urinate, pain and pressure in the lower abdomen, cloudy or strange-smelling urine, fatigue, and fever or chills.

It is essential to treat urinary tract infections right away as an untreated infection implies that it will spread further. It is advisable to treat the urinary tract infection immediately as the infection in the lower urinary tract is easier to treat, whereas, in the upper urinary tract, it is more difficult to treat the infection. The infection would spread into the blood and cause sepsis, which is a life-threatening situation.

In addition to antibiotics, there are certain home remedies that are quite effective in treating urinary tract infections.

Drink plenty of water
One of the most effective home remedies to treat urinary tract infection is to drink lots of water. You should drink at least a minimum of 8 glasses every day as water plays a prominent role in removing the toxins from the bladder; it flushes out the bacteria from the urinary tract and helps in getting rid of the infection faster. Also, drinking ample water can make urinating less painful. It is common knowledge that urine is made of waste products from the body, and dark and concentrated urine can be more irritating to pass, especially if you have urinary tract infection.

Urinate frequently
A common reason that people develop urinary tract infection is that they hold the urine in the bladder for a long time. So, when you drink lots of water as a part of treating urinary tract infection, you need to urinate frequently instead of holding it in. Doing so will eliminate the infection as it moves the bacteria out of the bladder. Holding the urine inside will only allow the bacteria to continue to multiply at a faster rate in the bladder. Moreover, it is advisable to urinate after sex as sexual activity can push the bacteria deep into the urethra. Urinating after sex will flush the bacteria from the urinary tract and prevent the germs from settling in and causing infection.

Unsweetened cranberry juice
Another effective way of treating urinary tract infections is by drinking unsweetened cranberry juice. Cranberries prevent the bacteria from latching on to the urinary tract, thereby preventing the infection. Also, cranberry juice is packed with antioxidants that are instrumental in strengthening the immune system. In fact, it even contains compounds that are effective in eliminating the microbes that cause urinary tract infection.

Eat cucumbers
Cucumbers are known for their high water content and are the perfect home remedy if you wish to get rid of the urinary tract infection. The extra fluid in the cucumbers are an excellent way of flushing the bacteria from the system, thereby cleansing the uterus of the infection-causing bacteria. So, you can eat cucumbers if you do not have the time to drink water.