How to Cure a Bladder Infection in as Little as 6 Hours

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of a bladder infection include a strong, constant urge to urinate, burning sensation when urinating, urinating frequently but small amounts, and blood in the urine. Depending on how severe the infection is, you may also experience pelvic pressure, fever, chills, nausea, and lower abdomen discomfort. Some mild infections may be cleared up within about six hours.

Things You'll Need

• Antibiotics
• Other prescribed medications
• Over-the-counter UTI medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Drink plenty of fluids. Clear liquids are best. Also drink cranberry juice. According to Carol J. Mulvihill, unsweetened cranberry juice acts like a natural antibiotic and helps prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. Mulvihill's recommendation was a result of a 1994 research study (published in the New England Journal of Medicine) which said specific compounds called condensed tannins were helpful in preventing E. coli from attaching to the walls of the bladder. Blueberry juice has similar properties.

• 2

  Manage the symptoms. Drugstores carry a selection of over-the-counter medications to help manage the symptoms of an bladder infection while the other treatments take effect. Most urinary tract infection medications also treat the symptoms of a bladder infection.

• 3

  Avoid alcohol and drinks with caffeine that may irritate the bladder.

• 4

  Treat a bladder infection with antibiotics. If your infection does not get better within a week, your doctor will prescribe an appropriate antibiotic for the infection you have. Specific types of antibiotics used to treat bladder infections include beta-lactam antibiotics (including penicillins and cephalosporins); trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole; quinolones; aminoglycosides; and nitrofurantoin. Methenamine helps reduce bladder spasms. Your doctor may prescribe medication for pain and spasms in addition to antibiotics.