Thursday, March 21, 2024

What Medicine For Bladder Infection

Must Read

Avoid Alcohol And Caffeine

Homeopathic treatment for urinary tract infection – Dr. Surekha Tiwari

Alcohol and caffeine are two things you should really not consume until your UTI is gone. Thats because they do the exact opposite of water: they make your urine very concentrated, which can irritate the bladder. You are more likely to experience more pain or discomfort while urinating if you continue to consume these beverages while you have a UTI.

But what if you just cant skip your morning cup of coffee? If you need caffeine in the morning to avoid getting a headache, try to drink just enough to prevent it or switch to a beverage with less caffeine content, like tea, until your UTI is better. Also, be sure to drink an extra cup or two of water to account for the caffeine you did have.

Can Home Remedies Quickly Treat A Uti

As resistance to antibiotics is becoming more common, many people are looking for ways to avoid using them. While this can be a good thing in some cases, it can draw out your illness in other instances.

The most commonly asked about home remedy for UTIs is cranberry. Drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry tablets has been long-touted as a natural alternative for treating UTIs. The thought is that cranberry makes your urine more acidic which, in turn, kills the bacteria causing your infection.

Unfortunately, cranberry does not treat UTIs very well. On the flip side, though, it can be useful for helping to prevent infections if youre prone to them. This seems to also be the case for other acidic fruits like lemon. Just be sure if youre going to try this for preventing future UTIs that you drink unsweetened juice, as sugar actually helps bacteria to grow.

What About Antibiotic Resistance

Resistance rates for antibiotics are always variable based on local patterns in the community and specific risk factors for patients, such as recent antibiotic use, hospital stay or travel. If you have taken an antibiotic in the last 3 months or traveled internationally, be sure to tell your doctor.

High rates of antibiotic resistance are being seen with both ampicillin and amoxicillin for cystitis , although amoxicillin/clavulanate may still be an option. Other oral treatments with reported increasing rates of resistance include sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim and the fluoroquinolones. Resistance rates for the oral cephalosporins and amoxicillin/clavulanate are still usually less than 10 percent.

Always finish taking your entire course of antibiotic unless your doctor tells you to stop. Keep taking your antibiotic even if you feel better and you think you don’t need your antibiotic anymore.

If you stop your treatment early, your infection may return quickly and you can develop resistance to the antibiotic you were using previously. Your antibiotic may not work as well the next time you use it.

Recommended Reading: Reasons For Bladder Control Loss

Why Antibiotics Are The Golden Standard

Urinary tract infections occur due to an external bacterial infection in the urinary tract of a body. The most common treatment option is a course of antibiotic therapy that targets the pathogens and the bacteria causing the infection.

The appropriate antibiotic course leads to higher symptomatic and bacteriological cure rates and significantly reduces the chances of reinfection. The types of antibiotics prescribed as the first line of treatment are based upon the type of bacteria found in your urine after the urine analysis, your health status, and the severity of the infection.

First Line Of Defense

How to Treat Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Naturally ...

If youre just feeling the first hint of a UTI, you can get ahead of the infection with AZO Urinary Tract Defense®. It includes a pain reliever to help soothe and a powerful antibacterial agent to help control your infection. If youre beyond that stage, relieve painful UTI symptoms FAST with an over-the-counter urinary pain reliever like AZO Urinary Pain Relief® or for a higher dose of the active ingredient, AZO Urinary Pain Relief® Maximum Strength.

Remember: Theres no over-the-counter cure for a UTI. Only your doctor can prescribe a UTI antibiotic to rid the bacteria causing the infection.

You May Like: How To Relieve Bladder Infection

How Do Health Care Professionals Treat A Bladder Infection

If you have a bladder infection caused by bacteria, a health care professional is likely to prescribe antibiotics. If the diagnosis is not certain, based on your symptoms or lab test results, you may not need antibiotics. Instead, your health care professional will work to find the cause and the best treatment for your symptoms.

Are There Natural At

Yes. While taking antibiotics is still considered the gold standard of UTI treatments, there are some things you can do at home that help relieve symptoms, as well. These include:

  • Drink plenty of water. Consuming at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily can help flush away UTI-causing bacteria, setting you up for a quicker recovery. Plus, the more you drink, the more youll have to urinate.
  • Urinate often. Each time you empty your bladder, youre helping to flush bacteria out of your system.
  • Try heat. Applying a heating pad to your pubic area for 15 minutes at a time can help soothe the pressure and pain caused by UTI-related inflammation and irritation.
  • Tweak your wardrobe. Wearing loose cotton clothing and underwear can help you recover from a UTI.
  • Go fragrance-free. Make sure your personal hygiene products are fragrance-free to sidestep further irritation, notes the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
  • Cut out certain irritants. Caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, raw onions, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, and nicotine can further irritate your bladder, making it more difficult for your body to heal, per the Cleveland Clinic.

RELATED: 8 Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections Symptoms

Read Also: Antibiotics For Uti Or Bladder Infection

See A Healthcare Provider

While UTIs arent usually a cause for major concern, if you dont get them treated, they can lead to more serious problems like a kidney infection. If you have a UTI, make an appointment with a healthcare provider as soon as possible. The fastest way to feel better is by taking an antibiotic to kill the bacteria causing your infection.

If going to see a provider in-person is not an option , there are plenty of telehealth services available that will allow you to set up a virtual appointment. Check out GoodRx Care for treatment of UTIs as well as many other medical conditions.

During your appointment, your provider will ask you questions about what symptoms you are experiencing and if you are prone to UTIs. You might be asked to provide a urine sample either in the office you are seen in or at a lab close to you. Lastly, your provider will prescribe you a course of antibiotics to get started on right away.

Some common antibiotics used for treating UTIs include nitrofurantoin , sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim , and ciprofloxacin . Typically, you only need to take them for 3 to 5 days, and most people start to feel relief within the first 2 to 3 days. Antibiotics can cause nausea, stomach upset, and diarrhea for many people. But, taking your dose with food can help lessen nausea and stomach upset, and taking a probiotic supplement like L. acidophilus can help with the diarrhea.

What If I Have Frequent Recurring Utis

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) – Symptoms & Treatment – Dr. Robert Matthews

Within a year of havig a UTI infection, roughy one-quarter to one-half of women will have another UTI. For these women antibiotic prophylaxis may be recommended by her health care provider. With a recurrent course of UTIs, a urine culture or imaging tests may be required for further analysis.

For recurrent UTIs, there are several antibiotic options for prevention:

  • A shorter course of antibiotics at the first sign of UTI symptoms a prescription may be given to you to keep at home.
  • A longer course of low-dose antibiotic therapy.
  • Take a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual intercourse.

The choice of antibiotic is based on previous UTIs, effectiveness, and patient-specific factors such as allergies and cost. Antibiotics commonly used for recurrent UTIs can include sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin, cefaclor, or cephalexin.

In postmenopausal women with vaginal dryness that may be leading to recurrent UTIs, vaginal estrogen may be an effective treatment. Treatment options your doctor might recommend include: Estring, Vagifem , or vaginal estrogen creams .

You May Like: Back Pain Causing Bladder Problems

What Causes Utis In Women

A UTI is caused by bacteria from your skin or rectum entering the urinary tract and causing an infection. Women with typically female genitals are more likely than other people to get UTIs. The urethra is the tube that takes urine out of your body from your bladder. In most women, the urethra is shorter and closer to the rectum. Both of these factors mean that bacteria dont have as far to travel, making it easier for an infection to start. Some women may have different types of genitals. Depending on their anatomy, these women may be more or less likely to get UTIs.

What Are Potential Side Effects Of Antibiotics For Uti

In addition to the notable side effects weve already covered, there are a few more potential antibiotic side effects youll want to know about.

Most antibiotics can cause some degree of stomach upset like nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. If you have severe diarrhea or diarrhea that lasts for 2 or more days, let your healthcare provider know. Diarrhea is a common side effect while taking antibiotics and just after finishing them. But in some cases, diarrhea from antibiotics can be a sign of a more serious infection caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria.

Some people are also sensitive to antibiotics, which could result in a minor reaction like a rash or a more serious reaction like anaphylaxis. If you notice difficulty breathing or major skin changes after taking an antibiotic, get medical help right away.

Don’t Miss: Bladder Infection Clear Up On Its Own

Home Remedies For Utis

Until there are more advancements in UTI treatment, antibiotics remain the most effective standard treatment. However, prescription medication doesnt have to be the only line of defense.

Along with standard therapy, you can incorporate home remedies to feel better sooner and reduce the likelihood of recurrent infections.

What Is A Urinary Tract Infection In Toddlers

AZO Urinary Tract Health Support Pack 32 ea (Pack of 2 ...

A UTI is an infection in your childs urinary tract which includes their kidneys, the ureters that connect them to the bladder and the urethra where urine exits their body. Bacteria get into their urinary tract through the skin around their rectum and genitals or through the bloodstream from any part of their body .

Because it may not be obvious when a child has an infection, especially if theyre too young to voice their symptoms, UTIs in children sometimes go unnoticed. Urinary tract infections need to be treated immediately to prevent the infection from spreading and damaging the kidneys.

You May Like: Botox For Bladder Control Reviews

How Do You Prevent A Bladder Infection

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.

    How To Feel Better

    If your healthcare professional prescribes you antibiotics:

    • Take antibiotics exactly as your healthcare professional tells you.
    • Do not share your antibiotics with others.
    • Do not save antibiotics for later. Talk to your healthcare professional about safely discarding leftover antibiotics.

    Drink plenty of water or other fluids. Your healthcare professional might also recommend medicine to help lessen the pain or discomfort. Talk with your healthcare professional if you have any questions about your antibiotics.

    Also Check: How To Prevent Bladder Infections In The Elderly

    When To Expect Some Results

    Homoeopathy is a natural remedy that can provide relief within minutes to hours. It is a myth that homoeopathy will take a long time to work on your system and cure it. The truth is that homoeopathic medicines are known for providing relief within minutes to hours of use. They tend to treat an individual within a week or two, depending on the severity of the UTI.

    Using homoeopathy to treat urinary infections works slightly differently from how antibiotics do. This holistic approach stimulates the body’s secondary healing response and may effectively address the problem’s root cause.

    Etiology And Risk Factors

    What are some common antibiotics used to treat UTIs?

    Urine is generally sterile, and the causative agents for most UTIs originate in bowel flora that enter the periurethral area. Most UTIs are caused by one organism UTIs caused by multiple organisms may indicate contamination. The causative agents are gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, as well as some fungi.1 The gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli accounts for almost 90% of all episodes.3,5 Other common causative agents include Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus faecalis, group B streptococcus, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida species.

    Don’t Miss: What Happens With Bladder Cancer

    Which Antibiotic Will Work Best

    Your doctor will take a urine sample to confirm that you have a UTI. Then the lab will grow the germs in a dish for a couple of days to find out which type of bacteria you have. This is called a culture. Itâll tell your doctor what type of germs caused your infection. Theyâll likely prescribe one of the following antibiotics to treat it before the culture comes back:

    Which medication and dose you get depends on whether your infection is complicated or uncomplicated.

    âUncomplicatedâ means your urinary tract is normal. âComplicatedâ means you have a disease or problem with your urinary tract. You could have a narrowing of your ureters, which are the tubes that carry urine from your kidneys to your bladder, a narrowing in the urethra which transports urine from the bladder out of the body, or, you might have a blockage like a kidney stone or an enlarged prostate . It’s also possible you have a urinary fistula or a bladder diverticulum.

    To treat a complicated infection, your doctor might prescribe a higher dose of antibiotics. If your UTI is severe or the infection is in your kidneys, you might need to be treated in a hospital or doctor’s office with high-dose antibiotics you get through an IV.

    Your doctor will also consider these factors when choosing an antibiotic:

    • Are you over age 65?
    • Are you allergic to any antibiotics?
    • Have you had any side effects from antibiotics in the past?

    Consider Switching Birth Control Methods If You Have Repeat Bladder Infections

    If you have trouble with repeat bladder infections, talk with a health care professional about your birth control. Consider switching to a new form of birth control if you use diaphragms, unlubricated condoms, or spermicide, all of which can increase your chances of developing a bladder infection. Consider using lubricated condoms without spermicide or using a nonspermicidal lubricant.

    Don’t Miss: Cranberry Juice Cure Bladder Infection

    Increase Vitamin C Intake

    Some evidence shows that increasing your intake of vitamin C could protect against urinary tract infections.

    Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of the urine, thereby killing off the bacteria that cause infection .

    An older 2007 study of UTIs in pregnant women looked at the effects of taking 100 mg of vitamin C every day .

    The study found that vitamin C had a protective effect, cutting the risk of UTIs by more than half in those taking vitamin C, compared with the control group .

    Fruits and vegetables are especially high in vitamin C and are a good way to increase your intake.

    Red peppers, oranges, grapefruit, and kiwifruit all contain the full recommended amount of vitamin C in just one serving .

    Despite these studies, there is still more research needed to prove the effectiveness of vitamin C for reducing UTIs. .

    SUMMARY

    Increasing vitamin C intake may decrease the risk of UTIs by making the urine more acidic, thus killing off infection-causing bacteria.

    Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice is one of the most well-known natural remedies for urinary tract infections.

    Cranberries work by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, thus preventing infection .

    In a 2016 study, women with recent histories of UTIs drank an 8-ounce serving of cranberry juice every day for 24 weeks. Those who drank cranberry juice had fewer UTI episodes than the control group .

    Living With Urinary Tract Infections

    Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

    If you have 3 or more urinary tract infections each year, your doctor may want you to begin a preventive antibiotic program. A small dose of an antibiotic taken every day helps to reduce the number of infections. If sexual intercourse seems to cause infections for you, your doctor many suggest taking the antibiotic after intercourse.

    Don’t Miss: Homeopathic Medicine For Bladder Weakness

    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.

    More articles

    Popular Articles