Urinary tract infections affect more women than men. And we are going to discuss natural remedies for UTI in women today
If you’ve ever suffered from UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) you’d know how painful it can be. From frequent and tiring bathroom visits to the frustration of public embarrassment, UTI can be a harrowing experience for anyone!
It is considered the second most common reason why people visit their doctors each year.
In fact every woman has a 50% chance of experiencing it at some point in their lifetime (scary!).
While many doctors prescribe antibiotics to kill the harmful UTI causing E. coli or Escherichia coli bacteria, these antibiotics can’t selectively destroy just the harmful bacteria.
They often end up killing both the bad and the good bacteria, which is not healthy for your body and can lead to vaginal yeast infection.
That’s the reason you’re asked to consume probiotics along with or after such antibiotics’ treatment, to help rebuild the gut flora.
The harmful effects of these antibiotics lead many people to turn to natural remedies for UTI relief.
Urinary tract infection occurs when gastrointestinal bacteria such as E. Coli invade your urinary tract. Some of the reasons that could lead to the invasion of these UTI causing bacteria include:
There are tree types of UTI and they are:
Infection of the Urethra (Urethritis) – This is the mild stage, when the infection is limited to the urethra. It is characterized by burning sensation during urination
Infection of the Bladder (Cystisis) – This occurs when the infection travels to the bladder. The symptoms include frequent urination, pain during urination, lower abdominal pain, pressure on the pelvic and blood in the urine.
Infection of the Kidneys (acute pyelonephritis) – This is really the most serious type and the symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, frequent urination, upper back and side pain
Drink plenty of water. Not only do you need water for hydration, but water is also a very powerful natural detoxifier. It helps to flush toxins, impurities and bacteria out of your system.
You should drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. Water is also good for your digestive system and helps to improve bowel movement.
Urinate as often and as soon as you get the urge. This is very important because holding urine causes bacteria to build up in the urinary tract. Urinating often helps to flush out bacteria from your system.
Cranberry juice has been found to inhibit the multiplication of the bacteria that cause urinary tract infection. This makes it helpful for preventing UTI.
Garlic contains Allicin, which has anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It has been found to be effective for combating drug resistant bacteria including E. Coli, which is the main culprit behind UTI. The Allicin content of garlic also makes it beneficial for treating yeast infection.
Probiotics help to restore the natural flora in your gut and body. You should eat a lot of probiotic foods like sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi or yogurt. However, if those foods don’t appeal to you, there are quality probiotic supplements out there you can take.
Nutrition Essentials #1 Rated Probiotic – Most CFU’s
Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Probiotics – 60 Daily Time Release Pearls
Dr. Tobias Probiotics: 30 Billion with Delay Release
There are several herbal remedies you can use for urinary tract infection. One of these herbal remedies is Uva ursi (bearberry leaf), which has been know to be quite effective for UTI.
Other herbal natural remedies for UTI in women include coriander seed tea and parsley tea.
Vitamin C has been found to inhibit E. Coli, the main bacteria that cause urinary tract infection. A study shows that taking 100 mg of vitamin C daily for 3 months during pregnancy helped reduce the rate of infection in the subjects.
You can use hot packs to alleviate the lower abdominal and back pains associated with UTI. Hot packs help to reduce inflammation and pain by improving circulation in the affected area.
You can even add a few drops of essential oils for pain to the packs to increase their effectiveness.
Hot & Cold Reusable Gel Pack, 7.5
My Heating Pad- Hot Therapy Pack – Heat Therapy
You should also endeavor to stay dry and clean. Always wipe from front to back after using the bathroom. Wiping from back to front can introduce bacteria into your urethra and lead to an infection.
Try to avoid wearing tight clothing like skinny jeans as they will make you sweat a lot thereby providing a thriving environment for bacteria to grow.
Loose clothing allows for free flow of air to keep you dry and clean. Also opt for clothing and underpants made with cotton material.
Other factors that can increase your risks of developing urinary tract infection include:
Hopefully the above mentioned natural remedies for UTI in women will be helpful to you in fighting urinary tract infections.
This post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not intend to diagnose or treat any disease.