Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms
In addition to antibiotics, many people seek natural, at-home remedies to help UTIs. A heating pad can relieve pressure and pain, and wearing loose cotton clothing is recommended. For those with recurrent UTIs, modifying certain habits may help: Choose fragrance-free personal care products to reduce the risk of irritation, and cut back on foods that can irritate the bladder caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, raw onions, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, and artificial sweeteners.
What The Research Says
According to studies, scientists found a 3 to 4-fold increase in the risk of symptomatic UTI on the second day post-sex.
The risk varied from person to person, which later subsided after the third day.
Based on the reports, more than 75% of uncomplicated UTI infections were the result of E coli a type of bacteria thats normally present in the intestines.
Sexual intercourse could also cause cystitis.
But, people dont necessarily need to be sexually active to experience the condition.
Every womans urethra is vulnerable to cystitis, primarily due to their anatomy.
When the urinary tract is struck with UTI, intercourse causes pain and irritates the urethra. Similar to that of a yeast infection.
In women, the recurrent bladder infections add pressure to the vaginas internal walls and impact the bladder, aggravating the painful condition.
If there are bacteria in other places close to the genitals, then intercourse can force the bacteria into the urethra, making sex a significant risk factor.
Regardless of the genital contact, the infection can still get introduced into the urethra with or without vaginal penetration.
As a result, the urinary tract starts experiencing a burning sensation, vaginal dryness, pain, and discomfort.
Urgent Advice: Ask For An Urgent Gp Appointment Or Get Help From Nhs 111 If:
You think you, your child or someone you care for may have a urinary tract infection and:
- a very high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
- a very low temperature below 36C
- are confused, drowsy or have difficulty speaking
- have not been for a pee all day
- have pain in the lower tummy or in the back, just under the ribs
- can see blood in their pee
These symptoms could mean you have a kidney infection, which can be serious if it’s not treated as it could cause .
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Recommended Reading: Is Honey Good For Bladder Infection
How Are Utis Diagnosed
Only a health care provider can treat urinary tract infections. The first thing a doctor will do is confirm that a person has a UTI by taking a clean-catch urine specimen. At the doctor’s office, you’ll be asked to clean your genital area with disposable wipes and then pee into a sterile cup.
The sample may be used for a urinalysis or a urine culture . Knowing what bacteria are causing the infection can help your doctor choose the best treatment.
What Is Kidney Pain
Kidney pain is discomfort near your kidneys. Your kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located just below your ribcage, on each side of your spine. Kidney pain doesnt always mean theres a problem with your kidneys specifically but it does usually indicate an issue somewhere in your urinary system.
Donât Miss: Treatments For Chronic Kidney Disease
Recommended Reading: What Happens When You Remove Your Bladder
Related Conditions And Causes Of Uti
There are a number of health conditions that share some symptoms with urinary tract infections, including:
The following conditions may make you more susceptible to developing a UTI and increase the severity of symptoms:
Type 2 diabetes
And having a UTI can increase a manâs risk for benign prostatic hyperplasia .
Bladder Infection Vs Kidney Infection
The main difference between a bladder infection and a kidney infection is when bacteria have built up and infected the urinary tract system. Although most kidney infections result from untreated bladder infections that migrate to the kidneys, a kidney infection can occur in other ways.
Overall, bladder infections are more common than kidney infections and considered less complicated, especially since kidney infections can lead to serious illness if infections spread through the bloodstream.
A critical difference between bladder infection and kidney infection symptoms is the increased likelihood of illness associated with the infection migrating to the kidneys. The signs and symptoms of a bladder infection that can remain the same even after the infection spreads to the kidneys include:
- A fever remaining under 101 degrees Fahrenheit
- Pain and pressure in the pelvis
- Painful or burning urination
- Dark and cloudy urine that may appear red from blood
- Bad-smelling urine
- Pain in the abdomen
Additional signs and symptoms that indicate an infection has spread to the kidneys include nausea, vomiting, chills, shaking, a fever exceeding 101 degrees Fahrenheit, and, particularly in the elderly, confusion.
Recommended Reading: How Do You Train Your Bladder
What Are The Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection
These are the most common symptoms of a UTI:
- Frequent urination
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Urine looks dark, cloudy, or reddish in color
- Urine smells bad
- Feeling pain even when not urinating
- Pain in the back or side, below the ribs
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Despite an strong urge to urinate, only a small amount of urine is passed
- Women may feel an uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone
The symptoms of UTI may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see a health care provider for a diagnosis.
Ok So How Do I Make Sure I Never Get A Uti Or A Kidney Infection
As they say, prevention is the best cure! And there are many things you can do to ensure that youre reducing your risk for an infection, and preventing build up from occurring in the kidneys.
-
Practice good hygiene. Always wipe from front to back, keep your genital area clean, wash before and after sex. Basically, do your best to keep bacteria from even having a chance of getting into the urinary system in the first place.
-
Drink lots of water. If youre dehydrated, youre not only increasing your chance of a UTI, but youre also decreasing your urine output, meaning that more minerals have a chance to build up and settle in the urinary tract or kidneys.
-
Make sure to urinate whenever you feel you have to go. Dont hold it in. This concentrates the urine allowing bacteria to build up and spread.
-
Alter your diet if you find youre prone to kidney stones. Cut down on certain meats and shellfish and opting instead for more vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Avoid consuming too much sugar. Cut back on sodium, and eat more oxalate-rich foods .
And if you do start experiencing any of the symptoms above, be sure to see a doctor right away. UTIs, kidney infections, and kidney stones can usually be treated fairly easily, but its important to seek medical attention before any complications develop.
Don’t Miss: Test To Detect Bladder Cancer
What Are The Causes Of Yeast Infection
The main reasons for this yeast overgrowth include:
- Hormone tablets or contraceptives that increases the estrogen level in the body
- Use of antibiotics that can disturb the natural vaginal components
- Diabetes which is not controlled properly
How is Yeast Infection Treated?
Yeast infection treatment is typically administered through antifungal medication. Your doctor will prescribe an oral tablet, a topical cream, or a suppository, depending on the severity. The duration of the treatment also varies accordingly.
Things You Can Do Yourself
To help ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection :
- takeparacetamolup to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature for people with a UTI, paracetamol is usually recommended over NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
- you can give childrenliquid paracetamol
- rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day
- avoid having sex
Some people take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products every day to prevent UTIs from happening, which may help. However, there’s no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.
Recommended Reading: How To Help Overactive Bladder
Approach To The Asymptomatic Patient
A therapeutic challenge arises when a patient has urinalysis findings or culture results that are consistent with UTI, yet does not experience any urinary symptoms. The prevalence of this condition, known as asymptomatic bacteriuria, increases with age.6,7Asymptomatic bacteriuria has been reported in 50% of women in long-term care facilities, and the prevalence in men drastically increases in those older than 60 years.6 Routine screening of asymptomatic patients is not recommended, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines.6 The only populations with a proven benefit from urinalysis and culture screening are pregnant patients and patients with a planned transurethral resection of the prostate or other urologic procedure in which mucosal bleeding is expected.6 Treatment also may be considered in women with bacteriuria more than 48 hours after catheter removal.6,8 If asymptomatic bacteriuria is identified in a patient from one of these populations, treatment should be initiated as described in TABLE 2.6,8-11 Antibiotic therapy should be started empirically, but it may require modification depending upon the organism identified in the urine culture.
You May Like: Ou Pelvic And Bladder Health Clinic
How To Prevent An Urinary Tract Infection Or Kidney Infection
Whether you are at risk of a bladder or kidney infection, methods reducing the likelihood of bacteria entering the urethra and spreading to the bladder are effective ways to prevent either infection from developing. The primary way to prevent urinary tract infection is to pee when you need to and trying to empty the bladder.
Recommended Reading: Can A Bladder Infection Get Better On Its Own
Prevention Of Urinary Tract Infection
There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting a UTI:
- Drink plenty of water and other liquids to help flush out bacteria.
- Urinate frequently, or about every two to three hours.
- For women: Wipe from front to back after urinating or having a bowel movement.
- Urinate before and soon after having sexual intercourse.
- Avoid synthetic underwear, tight pants, and lingering in wet gym clothes or a bathing suit. Though none of this can cause a UTI, these habits can increase the spread of bacteria.
- Avoid vaginal deodorants, douches, powders, and other potentially irritating feminine products.
- Use a method of birth control other than a diaphragm, spermicide, or unlubricated condoms.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hematuria
People with gross hematuria have urine that is pink, red, or brown. Even a small amount of blood in the urine can cause urine to change color. In most cases, people with gross hematuria do not have other signs and symptoms. People with gross hematuria that includes blood clots in the urine may have bladder pain or pain in the back.
Don’t Miss: How Is Bladder Cancer Staged
Uti Treatment: How To Treat A Uti
As soon as you notice a problem in your urinary tract, you should start an immediate course of action for a UTI treatment.
Some will say that antibiotics are the best approach, but many patients have found this ineffective and instead, will opt for natural treatments.
It is important to remember that there are benefits to each of these treatments.
The first kind of treatment for a UTI is taking antibiotics.
Usually, this is recommended as soon as the urine sample is collected, and immediately before surgery.
Although the antibiotics will clear up most of the bacteria that causes the infection.
They will often also reduce the level of enzymes that help to digest protein.
Another way to approach this problem is to use natural remedies.
Taking supplements rich in iron, magnesium, vitamin C, and other vitamins can help to strengthen the immune system.
And also help the body to digest protein more easily.
These kinds of supplements will also help to restore the normal balance.
Vitamin C is often a big help in the treatment of a UTI.
While taking a supplement with vitamin C may not be a quick fix.
It can certainly give some relief from the pain and discomfort that are often associated with this infection.
If the infection has progressed to a more serious stage, an anti-inflammatory drug may be prescribed by your doctor.
As soon as you start to notice any symptoms associated with a UTI, it is best to try and understand how to treat a UTI naturally.
Lightweight.
Can I Become Immune To The Antibiotics Used To Treat A Uti
Your body can actually get used to the antibiotics typically used to treat a urinary tract infection . This happens in people who have very frequent infections. With each UTI and use of antibiotics to treat it, the infection adapts and becomes harder to fight. This is called an antibiotic-resistant infection. Because of this, your healthcare provider may suggest alternative treatments if you have frequent UTIs. These could include:
- Waiting: Your provider may suggest that you watch your symptoms and wait. During this time, you may be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids in an effort to flush out your system.
- Intravenous treatment: In some very complicated cases, where the UTI is resistant to antibiotics or the infection has moved to your kidneys, you may need to be treated in the hospital. The medicine will be given to you directly in your vein . Once youre home, you will be prescribed antibiotics for a period of time to fully get rid of the infection.
Read Also: Is There Over The Counter Medicine For Overactive Bladder
What Is The Prognosis For A Person With A Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections typically respond very well to treatment. A UTI can be uncomfortable before you start treatment, but once your healthcare provider identifies the type of bacteria and prescribes the right antibiotic medication, your symptoms should improve quickly. Its important to keep taking your medication for the entire amount of time your healthcare provider prescribed. If you have frequent UTIs or if your symptoms arent improving, your provider may test to see if its an antibiotic-resistant infection. These are more complicated infections to treat and may require intravenous antibiotics or alternative treatments.
Having Dry And Itchy Skin
Healthy kidneys do tremendous work by removing waste and extra fluid from the blood, helping produce red blood cells, and maintaining the proper amount of minerals in your body. Itchy and dry skin signal the failure of kidneys to maintain the right balance of minerals and nutrients which can result in bone and kidney disease.
Warning: If you have dry and itchy skin, try to stay more hydrated. Remember, before taking any medication for itching consult your doctor. Certain medications have ingredients that potentially could damage your kidney function even more.
Dont Miss: Is Red Wine Bad For Kidney Stones
Also Check: Over The Counter Bladder Infection Medicine Walgreens
Children And Urinary Tract Infections
Symptoms in children are different from symptoms in adults. Urinary tract infections are quite common in children. While UTIs in very young children are often associated with an anatomic abnormality, for others the infection is related to introducing bacteria into the urinary tract. UTIs in children generally peak in infancy and then again between ages 2 and 4, coinciding with potty training.
In newborns, signs of urinary tract infection include poor feeding, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, mild jaundice, and fever. For babies younger than 2, foul-smelling urine may also be a sign. For older children, the more classic UTI signs, such as urgency, incontinence, and pain while urinating occur.
How Are Utis Treated
Treatments for UTIs often depend on the severity of the infection. Doctors often divide UTIs into simple and complicated infections.
Bladder infections usually fall into the simple category. Doctors can usually treat them with antibiotics over the course of three to five days. Common antibiotics used to treat bladder infections include trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, and amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium.
If you have an infection, you should always take all of your antibiotics, even if you feel better. This keeps the infection from coming back.
Complicated UTIs are harder to treat. Kidney infections usually fall into this category. If you have a complicated UTI, you may require IV antibiotics and have to take antibiotics for a week or more.
Also Check: What Causes Your Bladder To Not Fully Empty
What Is A Uti Anyway
A UTI, or urinary tract infection, happens when bacteria enters into any part of your urinary system, which includes the urethra, the bladder, the kidneys or the uterus. If not flushed out of the system, the bacteria can lead to an infection, or a UTI.
If youve ever had a UTI , you probably havent forgotten the symptoms. UTIs are very unpleasant, to say the least, and are often accompanied with one or more of the following:
-
A burning sensation when urinating
-
A strong urge to urinate often, usually passing only small amounts of urine at a time.
-
Cloudy and/or strong smelling urine
Donât Miss: Treatment After Bladder Tumor Removal
Is Hematuria In Acute Cystitis An Emergency
Hematuria from acute cystitis could indicate that the bacteria in your bladder have reached your kidneys. Whether or not blood in your urine constitutes a medical emergency depends on the underlying causes of acute cystitis. If theres only a small amount of blood, consider scheduling a doctors appointment or visiting an urgent care clinic.
However, if youre pregnant or trying to become pregnant, you should seek medical attention right away. The bacteria from a bladder infection may result in serious complications with your pregnancy.
Whether or not blood in your urine constitutes a medical emergency depends on the underlying causes of acute cystitis. If theres only a small amount of blood, consider scheduling a doctors appointment or visiting an urgent care clinic.
If youve been injured or experienced a fall and spotted blood in your urine immediately afterward, get help right away. Hematuria could point to kidney bruising or other internal injuries.
Lastly, if theres quite a bit of blood in your urine and its bright red in color, thats also a good reason to see your doctor. The sooner you address the issue, the better your chances are of preventing a kidney infection.
Also Check: What Antibiotics Treat Skin Infections
Don’t Miss: Capsaicin Pills For Overactive Bladder