Some people like to try home remedies for UTI - urinary tract infections, probably because of growing concerns about antibiotic-resistant bacteria, as well as concerns about adverse reactions caused by antibiotics.
Some even want to get rid of UTI in 24 hours; this is near impossible, as you shouldn’t expect a day ‘miracle’. However, within a few days, you should see great improvements.
Urinary infections are the infections of the anatomical structures that form the so-called urinary system, namely: kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
In defining the various urinary infections, doctors talk about urethritis when urinary infection is limited to the urethra, of cystitis when the infectious process affects the bladder, of ureteritis when the infection is located in one of the ureters and pyelonephritis when the infection affects one of the kidneys.
The components of the urinary tract most affected are the urethra and the bladder (the most frequent urinary infection is cystitis); however, even if in a much more rare way, the other urinary tract districts (the aforementioned kidneys and ureters) may also be involved.
The main cause of urinary infections is a bacterium that normally lives inside the gastrointestinal tract: the well-known Escherichia coli.
The therapy is generally based on antibiotics, whose methods of administration vary according to the severity of the infection.
While it is possible for some home remedies to work for some people, others will need to use medical treatments in combination with some of the additional methods that will be discussed.
Disclaimer
This article is only a general information and discussion about the topic. Information and other content gotten herein should not be taken as medical advice, and the information and discussion should not be substituted for professional and medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor and other qualified health professionals regarding your health and medical conditions.
Symptoms of UTI – Urinary Tract Infections
What are the symptoms of urinary tract infections?
The typical symptoms of a urinary infection are: dysuria, urge to urinate, pain in the lower abdomen, the need to urinate often, the production of foul-smelling, cloudy urine, and the inability to empty the bladder completely.
The symptoms of cystitis and urethritis - that is the infections of the lower urinary tract - include:
Impossibility to urinate despite the stimulus;
Frequent urination (pollakiuria);
An urgency to urinate;
Painful urination (stranguria);
Pain in the pelvic and lumbar region;
Blood in the urine (haematuria);
Purulent urine;
Temperature.
Symptoms of high urinary tract infections include:
Chills;
High fever;
Nausea;
He retched;
Lumbar and thoracic pain;
You can associate the symptoms of infections of the lower urinary tract, already mentioned above.
Prevention of UTI – Urinary Tract Infection
If you suspect you have a urinary tract infection due to the appearance of one or more symptoms, you should contact a doctor immediately, avoiding "do-it-yourself" therapies. A urine culture should be performed together with urinalysis to identify the microorganism that caused the infection.
While waiting for the result, together with the therapy prescribed by the doctor, drink plenty of water outside of meals, even if the frequency of micturitions increases to help eliminate bacteria.
When infections are recurrent or recurrent, a check is required by a specialist who excludes anatomical defects of the urinary tract, systemic diseases such as diabetes, which promote infections, or functional changes in the urinary tract that alter the normal emptying of the bladder.
How to Get Rid of UTI in 24 Hours
The following home remedies will help you get rids of a UTI fast:
Changes in the diet
A person with a UTI should drink a lot of water. This dilutes the urine, making it less acidic, while also helping to flush out the bacteria from the urinary tract.
Some foods and Beverages
Different foods and beverages can irritate a sensitive bladder and people should avoid these if they have a UTI. Some of the worst include:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Citrus
- Sodas
- Spices
Blueberry juice
Bilberry juice is a popular home remedy for UTI. The ingestion of blueberry juice has been shown to lower the acidity of the urine.
However, several clinical trials have tested blueberry juice for the prevention of UTI, but the results are inconclusive and the studies have different limitations.
However, some people find relief from their symptoms after drinking blueberry juice. They should choose a sugar-free juice where possible, and stop drinking if it causes diarrhea or an upset stomach.
Blueberry juice should be avoided by people taking blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin.
Essential oils
Essential oils can help treat some types of bacterial infections
For example, a study suggests that citronella oil can fight several common pathogens, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), which is the bacterium responsible for most urinary tract infections.
People are advised to speak with a doctor before using essential oils for the treatment of a UTI.
It is essential to remember that essential oils should not be swallowed. They must be inhaled through a diffuser, or applied to the skin in a diluted form, using a carrier oil.
Medical treatments for UTI
The first-line treatment for a UTI is an antibiotic drug. This can be used together with home remedies to treat the symptoms or treat the infection.
Antibiotics
The type of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor will vary depending on the bacteria present in the urine and the clinical history and health status of the individual.
For a simple UTI, the following antibiotics can be used:
- Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
- Cephalexin (Keflex)
- Fosfomycin (Monurol)
- Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid)
- Sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim (Bactrim, Sulfatrim)
In most cases, people will see their symptoms improve within a few days and the infection resolves in about a week.
Frequent or complicated infections may require different types of treatment. Often, a doctor will suggest:
- Low dose antibiotics for 6 months or more
- Single-dose antibiotics after sexual activity if infections are caused by sexual intercourse
- Vaginal estrogen therapy for postmenopausal women
Hospitalization and treatment with intravenous antibiotics are sometimes necessary for serious ICUs. In all cases, people must finish all medications as prescribed.
Over-the-counter drugs
If the pain and discomfort of a UTI are interfering with a person's quality of life and daily activities, a doctor may recommend a drug called fenazopyridine (Baridium, Pyridium) to be used together with other treatments.
This medication will often change the color of a person's urine in bright orange or red and may stain the underwear. It could also cause discoloration of contact lenses.
Phenazopyridine is a pain medication that numbs the bladder and urethra so that the urination becomes less painful. However, it does not cure UTI but relieves symptoms.
Prevention of UTI
People who are at risk for UTI can take certain measures to prevent them from developing in the first instance.
By doing the following, an individual can help prevent a urinary tract infection:
- Avoid the use of soap, vaginal doses and other feminine hygiene products in the genital area
- Consider the possibility of changing birth control methods, because diaphragms and condoms treated with spermicides can cause bacterial growth
- Avoid keeping urine in the bladder longer than necessary
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water
- Take a shower instead of a bathroom
- Urinate before and after sexual intercourse
- Dry and wash well after intercourse
For women, it is also advisable to clean from front to back after going to the bathroom, to prevent the bacteria from spreading from the anus to the vagina and urethra.
Complications of untreated urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections rarely cause complications if they are diagnosed quickly and treated properly.
However, untreated urinary tract infections can have the following consequences:
Permanent kidney injury
IVU recurrent, especially in women
Risk of low birth weight or premature birth in pregnant women
Sepsis, a life-threatening condition
Narrowing of the urethra or stenosis in men
Conclusion
Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatments reduce the risk of complications associated with urinary tract infections. So, immediately you start seeing the signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI), you should see your healthcare provider for proper guidance.
Disclaimer
This article is only a general information and discussion about the topic. Information and other content gotten herein should not be taken as medical advice, and the information and discussion should not be substituted for professional and medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor and other qualified health professionals regarding your health and medical conditions.
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