A urinary tract infection can create a lot of discomfort, so it's no wonder people who are affected want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. It is important to undergo appropriate and prompt treatment to prevent the infection from progressing and turning into a more serious problem. Sometimes the ailment subsides on its own over a period of 4 or 5 days, and there are some remedies you can try at home to soothe the discomfort, although it would be highly recommended to seek medical treatment for faster and longer lasting results.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Medical Treatments
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a very common disorder, but it can be unpleasant and very uncomfortable. It is an infection that can affect the upper urinary tract (kidneys and ureters), the lower (bladder and urethra), or both.
- If you have this condition, you probably have a burning sensation when urinating and the need to urinate often.
- You may also experience pain in the lower abdomen.
Step 2. Distinguish the symptoms of upper tract infection from lower tract infection symptoms
Symptoms differ based on the site of the infection. It is important to be able to recognize the different symptoms so that you can clearly describe them to your doctor if you have to go to him. Symptoms of lower tract infection include: needing to urinate very often, cloudy or bloody urine, back pain, a really unpleasant smell of urine, and a general feeling of discomfort.
- If the infection affects the upper urinary tract, you may have a fever (over 38 ° C).
- You may also experience a sense of nausea and uncontrollable chills.
- Other symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea.
Step 3. Know when to seek medical attention
In 25-40% of cases of mild infection, the disorder resolves spontaneously, but more than half of cases could worsen without medical treatment. Make an appointment with your doctor right away if you suffer from this problem and also experience fever or the symptoms suddenly worsen.
- If you are pregnant or diabetic you don't have to waste time contacting your doctor.
- Thanks to the intervention of the doctor you will be able to obtain a certain diagnosis. What you consider a urinary tract infection could actually be a fungal infection or some other medical condition.
- Your doctor may also order a urinalysis to determine if there is indeed an infection and which bacteria are causing it. It typically takes 48 hours to get the results of these analyzes.
Step 4. Get an antibiotic cure
The urinary infection is bacterial, so your doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics, which is the most common and most recommended treatment for this ailment. Furthermore, this treatment is particularly suitable for women who frequently suffer from this infection. Long-term antibiotic treatment can also help prevent recurrence.
- The antibiotics that are most often prescribed to treat UTI are nitrofurantoin (marketed under the brand name Neo Furadantin, or Macrodantin) and trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole (sold under the brand name Bactrim). However, other medications may also be prescribed, such as ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin (known by the brand name Monuril), and levofloxacin (typically sold as Tavanic).
- In addition to antibiotics, you can also take some specific over-the-counter pain relievers to soothe the discomfort of this infection.
Step 5. Finish the course of antibiotics
Strictly stick to the treatment and directions your doctor has given you and complete the course of antibiotics, which can last from 1 to 7 days. Most women need to take the drugs for 3-5 days, while men typically need to take them for 7-14 days. Even if the symptoms very often begin to subside after 3 days of treatment, you still have to take antibiotics for as long as indicated, in order to eradicate and kill all the bacteria present in the urinary tract.
- It is of the utmost importance to complete the therapy that has been prescribed for you, unless the doctor himself tells you otherwise.
- If you stop taking it before it's done, you don't allow the drug's active ingredient to work effectively and kill all bacteria.
- If symptoms continue after the course of antibiotics or you don't start to feel better after a few days, contact your doctor again.
Step 6. Be aware of the possible complications
When the urinary infection is quite severe, potential complications can arise that can damage the kidneys or create septicemia. However, these are not very common problems and usually only affect people with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes. If your immune system is weakened, you have a higher risk of suffering from complications and infections.
- Pregnant women suffering from UTIs run the risk of having serious complications and should be monitored closely by their doctor.
- Men who suffer from recurrent urinary tract infections are more likely to develop inflammation of the prostate, known as prostatitis.
- If your infection is really serious or you have complications, you should go to the hospital for proper treatment.
- These treatments typically involve taking antibiotics, but you will be closely monitored and may even be given a drip to keep you hydrated.
Method 2 of 3: Relieve the Infection at Home
Step 1. Drink lots of water
Antibiotics are the only effective way to treat a UTI, but as it often takes a few days to start working, there are some things you can do to relieve symptoms and prevent recurrence. The best technique, in this sense, is to drink a lot of water every day, about a glass every hour.
- Urinating frees the kidneys, expelling bacteria.
- Do not hold back your urine, as this could aggravate the infection by encouraging the bacteria to remain in a favorable environment for them.
Step 2. Try drinking cranberry juice
This home remedy is often recommended to treat UTI. While there is very little evidence of its effectiveness, it still appears to be able to prevent the infection from developing. If you have recurrent urinary tract infections, try taking highly concentrated tablet supplements. Cranberry juice, just like water, helps you "flush" the urinary tract.
- Do not drink it, however, if you or any member of your family have a medical history of kidney infections.
- Do not take cranberry juice capsule supplements if you are taking blood thinning medications.
- There is no specific dose of this product recommended by doctors, since its effectiveness has not yet been proven.
- However, one study found positive results in women who took one tablet of concentrated cranberry juice every day or who drank 240ml of this juice (sugar-free) 3 times a day for a year.
Step 3. Take Vitamin C Supplements
Start taking them as soon as you feel the first symptoms of infection to limit it and prevent it from worsening. Vitamin C helps make urine more acidic, creating a hostile environment for bacteria that settle in the bladder, while strengthening the immune system.
- Take a 500 mg dose every hour, but stop taking it if the stool starts to lose consistency.
- You can combine vitamin C supplements with teas with mildly anti-inflammatory properties, such as hydraste, echinacea and nettle.
- If symptoms persist after a few days, see your doctor.
Step 4. Avoid foods that can be irritating
There are some types of foods that are particularly irritating to the body, the effects of which can be accentuated if you have an ongoing urinary infection. The foods that you must especially avoid are coffee and alcohol. They are not only irritating, but also dehydrating, making it more difficult for bacteria to pass through urine.
- You should also avoid soft drinks that contain citrus juice until the infection is completely gone.
- If you reduce caffeine and alcohol in your diet, you can prevent future relapses, especially if you are susceptible to this type of disorder.
Method 3 of 3: Hygienic and Healthy Habits
Step 1. Maintain good urinary tract hygiene
Although adequate hygiene of the genital area is generally considered a preventative measure against urinary tract infections, it is also essential to get rid of the problem as soon as possible. The more you are attentive to hygiene and cleanliness during your daily routine, the better off you will be.
When you go to the bathroom, wipe yourself with a motion from front to back; this is especially important for women, who should always use this method
Step 2. Wash before having sex
Sexual contact is one of the main means by which bacteria enter the female urethra, with the risk that they also reach the bladder. To try to avoid this, be sure to clean the genital area thoroughly before any sexual activity. Women should also urinate before and after intercourse.
- Urinating after intercourse empties the bladder and allows bacteria to be expelled.
- UTIs are not contagious and you can't get them from other people.
Step 3. Put on the right clothes
Certain types of clothing can make it harder for you to get rid of this infection. Underwear that is too tight and made of non-breathable material can create a favorable environment for the development of bacteria near the bladder. For this reason, choose underwear made from cotton rather than made from non-absorbent fabrics such as nylon.
- Do not wear tight pants or shorts, as they can increase sweat production and create moisture, thus providing an ideal environment for bacteria to grow.
- Keep in mind, though, that wearing the right underwear helps prevent infections from developing but does not cure them.
Advice
- Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water.
- Avoid sexual intercourse while you have an ongoing urinary tract infection. You could introduce new bacteria into the body and reduce the chances of a full recovery.
- Apply warm compresses to minimize discomfort. While this method does not rid you of the infection, it can ease the symptoms. The compress should be warm but not hot, and should be applied to the lower abdomen to soothe the sensation of constriction, pain and other discomfort related to this ailment.
- Take ibuprofen for pain relief while you are applying other remedies.
- Drink plenty of water and take medications as prescribed by your doctor.
Warnings
- If your symptoms don't significantly reduce after 24 to 36 hours of home remedies, you need to see your doctor for drug treatments.
- Even if you feel that home remedies are effective, you should still undergo urine tests to double check and make sure you have completely eradicated the infection.
- Even minor infections can progress and cause serious kidney complications if they are neglected for too long.
- Since cranberry juice is very acidic, be aware that it could aggravate an existing urinary infection. Remember that acidic foods and drinks can irritate and inflame the bladder.
- Drinking cranberry juice every day is a great preventative remedy, but you need to be cautious if a urinary infection is already present..
