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Alternative Treatment for Urinary Tract Infections

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common medical condition in which the kidneys, bladder, urethra and ureters become infected and inflamed. Common symptoms include the frequent urge to urinate, blood in the urine and pain or pressure in the back or abdomen. UTIs account for more than 8.3 million doctor visits in the United States each year, according to the National Institute of Health. Most commonly UTIs are the result of a bacterial infection and can be cleared up with antibiotics, but there are some home treatments you can try to prevent or treat the infection as well.

  1. Cranberry Juice

    • Cranberry juice has long been used as a non-medical treatment for urinary tract infections. It works because the cranberry juice prevents the bacterial cells from adhering to the urinary tract. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the juice can irritate the urinary tract in some women. To prevent irritation, try diluting cranberry juice with water. If you use cranberry juice to treat a urinary tract infection and experience a worsening of symptoms, stop drinking the juice.

    Baking Soda

    • Consuming baking soda when you have a urinary tract infection will make your urine less acidic, which can help alleviate some of the pain and irritation that results from a UTI. One good way to allow baking soda to alter the pH level of your urine is to add two teaspoons of baking soda to a full glass of water and drink it. You can do this daily while you are experiencing symptoms from a UTI.

    Water

    • One of the simplest and easiest ways to treat a urinary tract infection is to drink plenty of water every day. It's best to try to get in the habit of regularly drinking water, so you may want to drink a glass of water every hour or carry a water bottle with you so it is always handy. Drinking water will increase your urine output, which in turn will help flush out the infection-causing bacteria and other irritants in the urinary tract. Also be sure to avoid beverages that can be irritating, such as alcoholic, carbonated or caffeinated drinks and citrus juices.

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