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Treatment for Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (also called bladder infections or urinary infections) are a common urinary condition, especially for the elderly, pregnant women and infants. These infections are caused when bacteria that is normally found on the skin or in the intestinal tract is spread into the urinary tract through the urethra, the channel through which urine is expressed from the bladder. Although there are several ways to treat a urinary tract infection, you must first be sure that you have one by recognizing the symptoms.

  1. Symptoms

    • The first sign of a urinary tract infection is often difficulty urinating. You may experience a sudden intense urge to urinate often. On the other hand, you may not be able to urinate at all. When you do urinate, you may have experienced a burning sensation or intense cramping in your pelvis. Unusual looking urine is another symptom of a urinary tract infection. Your urine may be cloudy, bloody or unusually smelly. If you experience all or most of these symptoms, you should see your health care provider, who can diagnose your urinary tract infection with a simple urinary analysis.

    Antibiotics

    • Once you have been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, your health care provider will most likely prescribe a course of antibiotics. Antibiotic treatment can last anywhere from one day to two weeks, depending on the brand of antibiotics and the severity of your condition. The most common choices for antibiotic treatment urinary tract infection are trimethoprim, amoxicillin or nitrofurantoin. You may feel an immediate relief from your symptoms when you start taking the antibiotics, but you should always take medication for the entire prescription to avoid an immediate reoccurrence.

    Over-the-Counter Medicine

    • For those who experience mild urinary tract infections, your health care provider may suggest an over-the-counter medication. It is important to understand that the medication will not cure your urinary tract infection. It will simply relieve the symptoms like burning sensations while urinating, painful cramps or smelly urine. It is important to also drink lots of fluids while you take the medicine so that you can flush the bacteria out your urinary system. If you do not see an improvement within a week of taking the medicine, consult your health care provider.

    Cranberry Juice Treatment

    • If you experience chronic urinary tract infections, your health care provider may suggest that you try alternatives to antibiotics. A popular home remedy is drinking lots of cranberry juice. Cranberry juice contains epicatechin, an antioxidant that prevents bacteria from attaching to the urinary system lining. It also contains vitamin C, making it very acidic. Bacteria do not do well in acidic environments and have a hard time surviving in them. If you are going to treat your urinary tract infection with cranberry juice, be sure that it is the unsweetened kind. Too much sugar can aggravate your urinary system, causing more infections.

    Prevention

    • The best urinary tract infection treatment is prevention. Start with good hygiene. Always wipe front to back after a bowel movement. Keep your genitals clean and dry. Avoid tight underwear or pants and allow the area to breathe. All of these things discourage bacteria from settling in the area. You should also keep yourself hydrated. Lots of fluids will help flush the bacteria out your urinary tract and prevent infections from developing.

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