Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an infection of organs that form the urinary system. These organs include kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Urinary Tract Infection or UTI is an infection caused by bacteria or fungi in these organs. Bacteria that cause UTI are Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Symptoms of UTI are pain while urinating, repeated urination, cramps in lower abdomen, blood in urine and cloudy appearance in urine. Doctors would prescribe you some medicines that can treat and heal UTI. However, here we are sharing with you some natural remedies that may help prevent and heal UTI and also protect your urinary tract organs from bacterial or fungal infections.
- Drink plenty of water: Stay hydrated and give lots of water to your body. Water will help prevent bacterial or fungal infections and treat Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Water allows the urinary tract organs to eliminate waste from the body successfully while keeping the essential vitamins and minerals. Being hydrated also dilutes the urine and speeds up its passage through the urinary tract. Water makes it more difficult for bacteria and fungus to stick to the cells, lining the urinary tract organs and that may cause an infection. There is no limit to drinking water every day because different people have different water needs. On an average, humans have to drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily to stay hydrated.
- Urinate when the need arises: Urination clears all the bacteria and fungi in the urinary tract and clears them out through urine. It stops the bacteria sticking to the internal wall by excreting them out through urine that reduces the risk of Urinary Tract Infection. Always urinate when you need to. This helps you prevent and protect your organs from Urinary Tract Infection. UTIs cause pain during urination. Doctors suggest you to urinate every 2 to 3 hours to prevent sticking of bacteria to the cells and wash them out continuously. Drinking plenty of water reduces pain when urinating.
- Drink Cranberry Juice: Drinking cranberry juice is a natural treatment for Urinary Tract Infection and it heals the wound quickly. Cranberries have proanthocyanidins (PACs) that prevent E. coli bacteria from sticking to cells of urinary organs and cause infection. Cranberry juice has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties to treat your Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). You should drink 400 ml of cranberry juice to prevent or treat your Urinary Tract Infections. Make sure to drink unsweetened cranberry juice with no or less sugar. Many supplements of cranberry are also available in the market in the form of tablets or syrup. You can also take supplements to treat your Urinary Tract Infection.
- Use Probiotics: Probiotics are the kind of bacteria that are beneficial for your health and help to prevent your urinary tract from harmful bacteria causing infection. These beneficial bacteria are collectively known as Lactobacilli. Lactobacilli produces a strong antibacterial chemical known as hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria present in your urine. It also lowers your urine pH to make unfavorable conditions for bacteria to grow. Lactobacilli are present in many fermented foods and dairy products such as yogurts, Kefir, some types of cheese and sauerkraut etc. You can also take lactobacillus supplements which are available in the form of capsule or powder that can be dissolved in water or other fluids.
- Get enough Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an antioxidant that enhances your immune system. Vitamin C reacts with nitrates in urine and forms nitrogen oxides that kill bacteria. Vitamin C lowers the pH of urine, and makes an unfavorable environment for bacteria to grow and survive. Many people take vitamin C in different ways like drinking cranberry juice, lime or orange juice etc. to treat UTIs. Include Vitamin C rich foods to your diet such as red and green peppers, Kiwifruit, Broccoli, Cantaloupe etc. to prevent bacteria from causing Infection in your urinary tract organs. Vitamin C is also available in the form of supplements.
- Wipe from front to back: Your feces or rectum contains many bacteria. If this bacteria reaches the urinary tract organs like urethra or ureter, it may cause infection. If bacteria reaches the urethra from there it would enter your urinary tract organs where they cause infection. After urinating or passing out feces, make sure to properly wipe off your genital organs and areas to remove bacteria from there. Use different tissue paper or wipes to clean your genital areas. Wash your genital areas with water to clean the surface from bacteria. Take care of the hygiene of your pelvic area and genital organs to prevent bacteria from reaching urinary tract organs that lead to urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Clothing: Wear loose clothes and undergarments to protect yourself from UTI. Loose clothes prevent sweating in your pelvic area. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and undergarments. Avoid wearing tight clothes. Wear cotton underwear and avoid synthetic or artificial fabrics. These prevention methods help you to prevent or treat your Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).
- Diet: Your dietary habits have a great impact on Urinary Tract Infection. Eating a healthy and balanced diet helps improve your immune system and fight against the microbes and bacteria. Increasing vegetables in your diet would also help prevent Urinary Tract Infection because vegetables contain antioxidants that can kill bacteria present in your urinary organs. Avoid eating processed foods as they increase free radicals and toxic chemicals in your body that lead to infections. Here is a list of food that you need to include and avoid in your diet:
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- Foods to avoid: Foods that you should avoid eating in your diet because they irritate your urinary tract are:
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- Coffee.
- Alcohol.
- Citrus fruits.
- Tomato-based foods.
- Artificial sweeteners.
- Spicy food.
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- Foods to eat: Foods that you should include in your diet that do not irritate your urinary tract and provide nutrients and minerals are:
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- Pears.
- Bananas.
- Green beans.
- Winter squash.
- Potatoes.
- Lean proteins.
- Bread, especially whole grain.
- Nuts.
- Eggs.
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- Apply Heat: Urinary Tract Infection causes bad pain in your abdomen and pelvic area. Warm compress will relieve your pain and treat your UTI. Make sure not to apply heat directly on your skin as it may burn your skin. Use a heating pad or bottle for application of moderate warm water. Use warm water instead of hot water to prevent burning of your skin. Remember to follow these safety precautions mentioned above whenever you apply heat.