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Home Cure for Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria gets into the urinary tract. The most common way bacteria enters the urinary tract is through sexual intercourse. While a UTI can affect any part of the urinary tract, it most commonly affects the bladder and the urethra. Symptoms of the infection include frequent and painful urination, abdominal pain and blood in the urine. While a mild infection can be cured with natural and/or over-the-counter treatments, you must be careful not to let the infection persist long enough that it spreads to the kidneys.

  1. Over-the-counter treatments

    • To treat the pain and discomfort from a UTI, use a medication such as Uristat or Urelle which are available at most pharmacies. Be aware that these medications treat the pain and not the infection. Over-the-counter UTI treatments can cause urine to become bright orange; do not be alarmed as this side effect is not dangerous.

    Natural treatments

    • Because over-the-counter treatments are not antibiotics, you must take additional steps to cure the actual infection. Take vitamin C to help strengthen your immune system so it can fight off the infection. It's also essential to drink plenty of water. In mild UTI cases, significantly increasing your water intake may be enough to flush out the bacteria. Cranberry juice has also been reported to help treat and even prevent urinary tract infections. While flushing your system via cranberry juice and water, be sure to urinate every time you have the urge. Emptying the bladder as soon as you feel the urge is crucial to getting rid of the infection; it also helps prevent future infections. Other treatments include baking soda (1 tsp added to an 8 oz glass of water), blueberries and pineapple (which have properties similar to those of cranberries) and cotton underwear (prevents the growth of bacteria due to moisture).

    Warning

    • If the UTI persists for more than a few days, contact your health-care provider. The infection can be treated with simple antibiotics in its early stages. However, if the infection spreads to various part of the urinary tract, especially the kidneys, serious health complications can arise.

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