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How Do You Treat A Bladder Infection

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How To Treat A Bladder Infection

As you may know, I’m extremely passionate about providing women with all the details they need to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.

I’m not in any way against pharmaceuticals when they are necessary and indicated for a particular treatment. Antibiotics have a time and a place in our health. But when other options are safe and effective, I like to offer women choices that include natural options they can administer themselves.

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Best Remedies For Bladder Infections

About bladder infections

Bladder infections are the most common type of urinary tract infection . They can develop when bacteria enter the urethra and travel into the bladder.

The urethra is the tube that takes urine out of the body. Once bacteria go into the urethra, they can attach to the walls of the bladder and multiply quickly.

The resulting infection can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as the sudden urge to urinate. It may also cause pain while urinating and abdominal cramping.

A combination of medical and home treatments may ease these symptoms. If left untreated, bladder infections can become life-threatening. This is because the infection can spread to the kidneys or blood.

Here are seven effective bladder infection remedies.

Does Cranberry Juice Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection

Many people say that cranberry juice can help treat, or even prevent, a UTI. Researchers are currently looking into the topic, but havent found a definitive answer yet. Healthcare providers recommend drinking lots of fluids if you have, or have a history of getting, a UTI. Adding a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice to your diet isnt a proven way to prevent a UTI, but it typically wont hurt you either.

Read Also: Vitamin D And Bladder Problems

Who Gets Urinary Tract Infections

Anyone can get a urinary tract infection, but they are more common in women. This is because the urethra in females is shorter and closer to the anus, where E. coli bacteria are common. Older adults also are at higher risk for developing cystitis. This increased risk may be due to incomplete emptying of the bladder. There are several medical conditions that can be related to this, including an enlarged prostate or a bladder prolapse .

If you get frequent urinary tract infections, your healthcare provider may do tests to check for other health problems such as diabetes or an abnormal urinary systemthat may be contributing to your infections. People with frequent UTIs are occasionally given low-dose antibiotics for a period of time to prevent the infection from coming back. This cautious approach to treating frequent UTIs is because your body can develop a resistance to the antibiotic and you can get other types of infections, such as C. diff colitis. This practice is used very infrequently.

How Are Utis Diagnosed

What Can I Take For A Bladder Infection

To diagnose a UTI, health care providers ask questions about what’s going on, do an exam, and take a sample of pee for testing.

How a sample is taken depends on a child’s age. Older kids might simply need to pee into a sterile cup. For younger children in diapers, a catheter is usually preferred. This is when a thin tube is inserted into the urethra up to the bladder to get a “clean” urine sample.

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.

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Can An Embedded Bladder Infection Be Cured How To Treat

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Video Answer: Urinary Tract Infections In Dogs

A bladder infection occurs when microbes get into the bladder and proliferate.

Any dog can get a bladder infection, though females are more likely to get one.

Because the disease irritates the organ, it increases the pet’s urge to urinate.

Treatment for the infection includes a course of antibiotics.

The most common treatment is antibiotics for dog eye infection. If a dog eye infection is not responding to antibiotics, let your vet know. Nonbacterial eye infections might warrant ointments or eyewashes to soothe and heal your dog’s eyes.

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Things You Can Do Yourself

To help ease pain:

  • 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, especially during hot weather

It’s important to follow the instructions on the packet so you know how much paracetamol you or your child can take, and how often.

It may also help to avoid having sex until you feel better.

You cannot pass a UTI on to your partner, but sex may be uncomfortable.

Taking cystitis sachets or cranberry products has not been shown to help ease symptoms of UTIs.

Can Certain Dog Food Cause Urinary Problems

How to treat a URINARY TRACT INFECTION | Treat a UTI NATURALLY

Some minerals in dog foods can induce crystals in urine. Magnesium and phosphate, two mineral components of struvite, are major causes of crystal formation in dog food. Dont feed your dog a diet consisting of these minerals excessively. If you feed dog food to your dog, you have also increased your dogs pH .

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When Urinary Tract Infections Keep Coming Back

Image: Thinkstock

If you are prone to recurrent UTIs, you can head them off before they take hold.

Unless you’re in the fortunate minority of women who have never had a urinary tract infection , you know the symptoms well. You might feel a frequent urgency to urinate yet pass little urine when you go. Your urine might be cloudy, blood-tinged, and strong-smelling. For 25% to 30% of women who’ve had a urinary tract infection, the infection returns within six months.

If you have repeated UTIs, you’ve experienced the toll they take on your life. However, you may take some comfort in knowing that they aren’t likely to be the result of anything you’ve done. “Recurrent UTIs aren’t due to poor hygiene or something else that women have brought on themselves. Some women are just prone to UTIs,” says infectious diseases specialist Dr. Kalpana Gupta, a lecturer in medicine at Harvard Medical School.

When To See A Doctor For Your Uti

If your symptoms persist beyond a few days with no sign of improvement, or if your infection keeps recurring, its best to see a doctor. While many home remedies may ease symptoms if they persist your doctor will be able to determine the cause and prescribe a course of antibiotics that should help take care of your UTI right away and prevent it from leading to a worsening condition or infection.

Have you tried any of the above natural remedies for UTIs, or other home treatments to treat your urinary tract infection? Tell us about them in the comments below!

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How To Prevent Utis

Simple steps you can take to reduce your risk of getting a urinary tract infection include:

  • Drinking lots of fluids, especially water. When you urinate more, bacteria is removed from your urinary tract.
  • Taking cranberry products. Some studies suggest products containing cranberry like juices and supplements might help prevent the development of UTIsWawrysiuk S, Naber K, Rechberger T, Miotla P. Prevention and treatment of uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections in the era of increasing antimicrobial resistancenon-antibiotic approaches: a systemic review. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2019 300:821-828. .
  • Wiping from front to back, which can prevent bacteria from the anus entering the urethra.
  • Emptying your bladder after having sex. Additionally, drink water to help expel enough urine to flush out bacteria.
  • Avoiding irritants and allergens. Using scented items like sprays, perfumes or products like douches can irritate your urethra.
  • Adjusting your birth control plan. Things like diaphragms, unlubricated condoms or spermicidal condoms can increase risk of bacterial infection.

How Do You Prevent A Bladder Infection

Healthcare &  Health solution: How to Treat A Urinary Tract ...

People who have recurrent bladder infections may be able to prevent them in some cases:

  • Drink more fluids
  • Urinate right after intercourse
  • It is believed this will help flush out germs that can enter the bladder. There is no evidence this prevents bladder infections but it is not harmful.
  • Change birth control: avoid spermicides and diaphragms
  • Vaginal estrogen may be recommended for women who have been through menopause
  • A flexible ring worn in the vagina for three months , a small vaginal insert , or a cream .
  • Wiping the bottom from front to back after having a bowel movement
  • Preventive antibiotics or antibiotics taken following intercourse, as recommended by your doctor

    Cranberry juice, cranberry tablets, and a supplement called D-mannose have been promoted to help prevent frequent bladder infections but there are no studies that show these products are effective. However, use of these products probably is not harmful. Tell your doctor before taking any supplements.

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    When To See A Doctor

    Contact your doctor if you have pain or discomfort when you urinate or other symptoms of a bladder infection, especially if the symptoms have been present for two days or more. If an infection lingers for too long, you risk the bacterial infection traveling to other parts of your body, including your kidneys. Therefore, you should seek treatment if you notice symptoms.

    Your doctor will complete a physical examination and collect a urine sample to send for lab analysis to determine if an infection is present. Complications from an uncomplicated bladder infection are typically rare with antibiotic treatment. However, if you develop fever, chills, nausea, or confusion, you should immediately contact your doctor. These symptoms suggest a more serious infection that has spread to your kidneys. If you have a kidney infection, you may need an IV treatment of high-dose antibiotics, which may require hospitalization.

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    Home Remedies For Bladder Infection

    Here are some effective and natural remedies for bladder infection that are inexpensive, harmless and easy to use at home.

    1. Drink Plenty of Water : This is the best treatment for bladder infection. Water is a great cleansing agent and helps in flushing out the harmful bacteria in the form of diluted urine. So, drink lots of water for a quick relief from bladder infection.

    2. Baking Soda : Baking soda is one of the best home remedies for bladder infection pain. You just need to mix a spoonful of baking soda in a glass of water, and drink it. Repeat this remedy daily till the symptoms subside completely.

    3. Cranberry Juice : Cranberry juice is an effective home remedy to stop a bladder infection in pregnant women. Cranberry contains enzymes, which are really beneficial in treating a bladder infection. Therefore, drinking cranberry juice will let you to get rid of a bladder infection quickly.

    Note- Avoid intake of cranberry juice if you or any family member of yours has a history of kidney stones, or if you are taking medicines for thinning the blood.

    4. Apple Cider Vinegar : Soak in water, containing apple cider vinegar. It will greatly reduce the burning sensation that is caused while urinating due to a bladder infection.

    5. Yoghurt : Eating yoghurt is also beneficial as it contains acidophilus, which helps in curing the bladder infection.

    6. Heating Pad : In order to ease out the pain, caused due to a bladder infection, use a heating pad over the abdominal area.

    Read Also: How To Fix Bladder Issues

    Urinary Tract Infection Treatment

    The typical treatment for a UTI is antibiotics prescribed by your doctor. To diagnose a UTI, your doctor may identify your symptoms and prescribe you the appropriate medication.

    In other instances, if your symptoms aren’t straightforward, or if you’ve been struggling with recurrent UTIs, your doc may suggest further testing.

    More in-depth testing may involve:

    • Additional bacteria cultures of a urine sample
    • Ultrasound, computerized tomography scan, or magnetic resonance imaging
    • Cystoscopy using a camera to look inside your urethra and bladder

    Eating Diet & Nutrition

    How to Naturally Treat a UTI or Bladder Infection

    Experts dont think eating, diet, and nutrition play a role in preventing or treating bladder infections. If you have any type of UTI, talk with a health care professional about how much to drink each day to help prevent or relieve your infection.

    The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and other components of the National Institutes of Health conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.

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    Do I Need To See A Doctor

    Yes. Painful urination can be a symptom of a more serious problem. You should tell your doctor about your symptoms and how long youve had them. Tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have, such as diabetes mellitus or AIDS, because these could affect your bodys response to infection. Tell your doctor about any known abnormality in your urinary tract, and if you are or might be pregnant. Tell your doctor if youve had any procedures or surgeries on your urinary tract. He or she also need to know if you were recently hospitalized or stayed in a nursing home.

    If your doctor thinks your pain may be from vaginal inflammation, he or she may wipe the lining of your vagina with a swab to collect mucus. The mucus will be looked at under a microscope to see if it has yeast or other organisms. If your pain is from an infection in your urethra , your doctor may swab it to test for bacteria. If an infection cant be found, your doctor may suggest other tests.

    Wipe From Front To Back

    This one is more about prevention. Because many UTIs develop from the spread of bacteria from the rectum, its important to pay attention to how you wipe both after a bowel movement and after urinating. Always wipe from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria to the urethra, and on to the urinary tract.

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    Can Urinary Tract Infections Be Prevented

    These steps may help reduce the chance of getting UTIs:

    • Drink plenty of water every day.
    • Drink cranberry juice. Large amounts of vitamin C limit the growth of some bacteria by acidifying the urine. Vitamin C supplements have the same effect.
    • Urinate when you feel the need. Do not wait.
    • Females, wipe from front to back to keep bacteria around the anus from going in the vagina or urethra.
    • Take showers instead of tub baths.
    • Clean the genital area before and after sex, and urinate shortly after sex.
    • Women should not use feminine hygiene sprays or scented douches.
    • Cotton underwear and loose fitting clothes help keep the area around the urethra dry. Tight clothes and nylon underwear trap moisture. This can help bacteria grow.
    • Repeated bouts of urinary tract infections can be treated with small doses of regular antibiotics.

    Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have about UTIs.

    How Do You Know If You Have A Urinary Tract Infection

    How to Treat Urinary Tract Infections at Home Using ...

    Often, UTIs start almost asymptomatic . You may have an urge to urinate, but then when you go to the bathroom, you can’t seem to go. Or you can only relieve yourself a tiny bit, and then you’re making a beeline for the restroom again just minutes after you’ve walked out. Maybe you feel a bit of burning or tingling when you pee. A lot of women don’t seem to think much of their symptoms at this point.

    When these mild symptoms start to happen a few times in a row, women often begin to notice. But sometimes, things progress a little further, and a mild fever or pelvic pain starts to develop before we acknowledge something is wrong.

    This could be because you’ve had symptoms before and had them dismissed by a doctor. A recent study showed that the test commonly used to diagnose UTI isn’t always accurate. Researchers discovered that the standard culture missed the presence of pathogenic bacteria almost 20% of the time.

    So if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t get a positive result on your bacteria culture test, and your doctor isnt giving you answers be sure to seek a second opinion, and you may want to try out the more natural remedies in this article.

    Sometimes what feels like a UTI or a painful bladder is because of a condition known as Interstitial Cystitis. Either way, your provider should be working with you to find out the cause of your symptoms.

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    Practice These Healthy Habits

    Preventing urinary tract infections starts with practicing a few good bathroom and hygiene habits.

    First, its important not to hold urine for too long. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria, resulting in infection .

    Peeing after sexual intercourse can also reduce the risk of UTIs by preventing the spread of bacteria .

    Additionally, those who are prone to UTIs should avoid using spermicide, as it has been linked to an increase in UTIs .

    Finally, when you use the toilet, make sure you wipe front to back. Wiping from back to front can cause bacteria to spread to the urinary tract and is associated with an increased risk of UTIs .

    SUMMARY

    Urinating frequently and after sexual intercourse can reduce the risk of UTI. Spermicide use and wiping from back to front may increase the risk of UTI.

    Several natural supplements may decrease the risk of developing a UTI.

    Here are a few supplements that have been studied:

    • D-Mannose. D-Mannose is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries. Research suggests its effective in treating UTIs and preventing recurrence (

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