Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, and they can be difficult to treat. If you're experiencing symptoms of a UTI, here are some home remedies that may help you get relief. Some of these remedies require patience, while others involve taking simple steps to improve your hygiene. Either way, we hope these tips help you get the treatment you need and feel better soon!
Urinary tract infection home remedies
Urinary tract infection (UTIs) is the most common urological disease found around the world. Women were found more susceptible compared to men. The human urinary tract maintains a sterile environment through various mechanisms to prevent the entering of infection-causing bacteria, etc…
What is Urinary Tract Infection?
Urinary tract infection is an infection of the urinary system. The urinary system includes the Kidneys, bladder, ureter, and urethra. Urinary tract infection can affect any part of the urinary system or it can involve all parts of the urinary system.
Types of Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infection can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Symptomatic urinary tract infection can be divided into two namely
- Lower urinary tract infection (includes bladder and urethra)
- Upper urinary tract infections with systemic involvement (Kidney and infections with systemic involvement such as urosepticemia)
Symptoms of urinary tract infection
Sometimes urinary tract infections may be asymptomatic, but when they show signs and symptoms they include
- Pain in urination.
- Urgency and persistent urge for urination.
- Urine color looks cloudy due to the presence of bacteria, White blood cells, and epithelial cells.
- Urine color may look red, or pinkish due to the presence of blood in the urine
- Pain in the pelvic area especially in women
Causes for urinary tract infection
Urinary tract infections occur when pathogens enter the urethra. Most commonly these pathogens are from migrating from the anal region. Though our urinary system has a mechanism to prevent microscopic invaders. Sometimes they fail and lead to urinary tract infections.
Other factors that increase urinary tract infections are
- Pregnancy
- Sexual activity
- Blocked urinary tract (Eg Kidney stones)
- Unable to empty full bladder (Eg enlarged prostate)
- Weakened immune system
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Poor genital hygiene
- Use of Urinary catheters
Types of urinary tract infection
Depending on the part of the urinary tract infected the signs and symptoms can be more specific
- Urethritis – Infection of the urethra
- Cystitis – Infection of the bladder
- Pyelonephritis – Infection of the kidneys
How urinary tract infections are diagnosed?
Doctors will use the following tests depending on the severity to diagnose urinary tract infection
- Urine Analysis – This test helps in finding the presence of red blood cells, white blood cells, and bacteria in the urine.
- Urine Culture – This test helps to find the types of bacteria in your urine for more specific treatment
- Ultrasound to visualize internal organs
- Cystoscopy to see inside the bladder from the urethra
- CT scan – for more accurate visualization of internal structures.
Treatment for urinary tract infection
Antibiotics are the primary line of treatment for urinary tract infections. Antibiotics are prescribed depending on your health condition and the types of bacteria found in your urine. The duration of treatment also varies depending on the nature of the urinary tract infection.
If you are healthy you may need a concise period of medications and if you are suffering from frequent urinary tract infections your doctor may suggest long-term medications.
In severe urinary tract infections, one may need hospitalization for administering intravenous antibiotics.
Complications of urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections resolve using medication, but if it is not treated properly they can lead to more serious conditions like kidney infection and kidney failure.
How to prevent urinary tract infections
Here are a few tips that can help you to prevent a urinary tract infection or its reoccurrence
- Keep your genital area dry and clean
- pee as soon as possible after the sexual act
- wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet
- Drink plenty of water so that the frequency of urination increases to flush out bacteria
- before and after sex wash the skin around the vagina
- avoid drinks that irritate your bladder such as alcohol, coffee, soft drinks
Ayurvedic treatment for urinary tract infection
Depending on the dosha predominance specific ayurvedic treatments are selected. For example, when there is intense pain vata pacifying treatment is given if the burning sensation is more than pitta pacifying treatment is given, and when there is an obstruction to the flow kapha pacifying treatments are given.
Various treatment principles mentioned in mutraghata treatment, mutrala medicines, pitta vata pacifying treatment, and vasti-specific treatments are chosen to treat urinary tract infections.
Ayurvedic medicines for urinary tract infections
Commonly used ayurvedic medicines in urinary tract infections are
- Amruta Shadanga Kashayam
- Ardhavilvam kashayam
- Bhruhatyadi kashayam
- Chandanapunarnavadi kashayam
- Gokshuradi kashayam
- Guluchyadi kashayam
- Pathya punarnavadi kashayam
- Varanadi kashayam
- Virataradi kashayam
- Trinapanchamuladi kashayam
- Chandraprabha gulika
- Gokshuradi Guggulu
Urinary Tract Infection Home Remedies
In the early stages of urinary tract infection, home remedies can help to clear the urinary tract infection. Below are the few home remedies that are found beneficial in treating the early stages of UTIs.
- Cranberry juice – Many people found beneficial to take cranberry in juice or tablet form to treat their urinary tract infection
- Indian gooseberry (Amla): Add one teaspoon each of Amla powder and turmeric powder to one cup of water. Boil the solution until half of the water evaporates. Drink it three times a day for 3-5 days.1
- Rice water: Take 10 grams of rice and wash them. Now add 60-80 ml of water to it and keep it closed in a mud pot or stainless steel bowl for six hours. Then macerate the rice in the water for 2-3 minutes, strain it, and keep sipping the water throughout the day.2
- Coriander seeds: Take one part (25 grams) of crushed coriander seeds and add six parts of water (150 ml). Keep it covered overnight for eight hours. The next morning strain it and drink it with little crystal sugar added to it on an empty stomach.2
- Take five grams each of fine powder or coarse powder of Giloy (Guduchi), Amla, Ginger, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), and Gokshura (Tribulus Terrestris). Add all the five ingredients to 200 ml of water. Boil the mixture until half of the water evaporates and keep stirring throughout the procedure. Drink this decoction 10-20 ml two times a day for a few days.3
- Take some spinach leaves and a few sliced carrots and boil them in water for 15- 20 minutes. Drink this soup with little pepper and salt added to it.4
- Baking soda: Add one teaspoon of baking soda to a glass of water and drink it 1-2 times a day for a few days.1
- Apple cider vinegar: Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice to a glass of water. Sweeten with little honey and drink it two times a day for a few days.1
- Include garlic, and coconut in a regular diet since they help in treating urine infection.
- Tender coconut water and citrus fruit juices are beneficial in urinary infections.
- Drinking plenty of water is a remedy for urine infection.
When you should visit a doctor?
If you suspect that you have symptoms of urinary tract infection then you need to visit your doctor.
If you have been getting treated for your urinary tract infection and the symptoms are worsening, then you need to visit your doctor for faster recovery.
Visit your doctor when the symptoms continue after stopping treatment to prevent the further spread of the infection to other parts of the body.
Conclusion
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common and can be very uncomfortable. If you’re experiencing symptoms of a UTI, follow the above home remedies that may help. First, drink plenty of fluids to help flush the urinary tract. Second, keep your genital area clean and dry. Third, try drinking cranberry juice or taking cranberry supplements. Fourth, avoid sexual activities until the infection has cleared up completely. Finally, take medicines if the infection is severe as suggested by the doctor. By following these tips, you may be able to relieve your symptoms and get back to your normal life quickly.
NOTE:
“This article does not provide medical advice. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on this WebSite. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call or visit your doctor.”
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References and citations
- https://www.lybrate.com/amp/topic/urinary-tract-infections-utis-how-you-can-manage-it-with-home-remedies/5787e2afc6bde15ed26bc78c3a43e767
- https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/ayurveda-expert-on-natural-remedies-and-herbs-to-treat-uti-101655538028697-amp.html
- https://www.easyayurveda.com/2012/04/13/ayurvedic-home-remedy-for-urine-infection-and-painful-urination/amp/
- https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3SXzFrZ1w70
- Schrier’s diseases of the kidney
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults
- https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-tract-infections-in-adults
- https://medlineplus.gov/urinarytractinfections.html
- https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/uti