What Is Good to Take for a Bladder Infection?

Bacterium causes bladder infections or UTI (urinary tract infection), and getting rid of an infection often involve flushing bacterium from your urinary tract. There are several ways to deal with a bladder infection. And oftentimes, you can fight an infection with home remedies.

Identification

• Mild bladder infections can go undiagnosed. However, typical UTI symptoms include painful urination (burning), frequent urination and difficulty emptying the bladder.

Time Frame

• Antibiotics such as Cipro and Bactrim are prescribed to fight bladder infections. On average, symptoms improve within three to seven days of starting a dose of antibiotics.

Considerations

• Antibiotics are effective. But if you prefer to treat bladder infections naturally, increase your water intake to flush bacterium from your urinary tract. According to the "Doctors Book for Home Remedies", cranberry juice or supplements also stop the growth of bacteria, and vitamin C supplements help improve your immunities.

Warning

• It's imperative to treat bladder infections. At the first sign of an infection, begin home remedies or schedule a doctor's appointment. According to the Mayo Clinic, if left untreated, bacterium may travel to your kidneys and cause a host of serious complications like reduced kidney function.

Expert Insight

• Because lower abdominal and back pain are common with bladder infections, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, or a heating pad, can quickly reduce pain and pressure.