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Urinary Pain Relief

Bladder pain can cause significant discomfort that interferes with your daily activities. If you are unable to see your doctor quickly, there are several ways to get urinary pain relief at home. To ease urinary pain, you can use heat therapy, drink plenty of liquids, make lifestyle changes, or use an over the counter medication developed specifically for urinary pain.

  1. Heat Therapy

    • Heat may ease some of the pain associated with urological disorders, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Heat therapy, recommended at 20-minute intervals, comes in the form of a hot water bottle or electric heating pad.

      To use a hot water bottle, fill the bottle with hot water and make sure the cap is tightly closed. Wrap the hot water bottle in a towel and place it over the lower abdomen and upper pelvis. Leave the hot water bottle in place for 20 minutes before removing it.

      To use an electric heating pad, plug the heating pad into an outlet and choose your desired heat setting. Make sure the pad is wrapped in a thin towel or pillowcase and place it over your bladder for 20 minutes.

    Liquids

    • If your urinary pain is caused by infection, drink plenty of water to flush bacteria out of the urinary system. According to Elliot L. Cohen, M.D., an assistant professor of clinical urology at Mount Sinai Hospital and contributor to The Doctors Book of Home Remedies, drinking more water causes you to urinate more frequently. Each time you urinate, bacteria will be eliminated from the urinary tract.

      Another beverage that can help to relieve urinary pain caused by bladder infections is cranberry juice. The Doctors Book of Home Remedies cites a study done by Tufts University, which found that cranberry juice prevents bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder.

    Lifestyle Changes

    • Eating certain foods can irritate the lining of the bladder, leading to urinary pain. Avoid spicy foods, chocolate, and caffeinated beverages, as these can cause this irritation.

      Stop smoking if you suffer from urinary pain, professionals from the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) recommend. Tobacco is a major cause of bladder cancer, so eliminating this habit from your life can help you to avoid urinary pain and can also help you protect your health.

    Phenazopyridine

    • Phenazopyridine is an over-the-counter drug sometimes used to treat urinary tract pain. One popular brand name is Azo. This drug comes in tablet form and is taken 3 times per day, one after each meal. If you take phenazopyridine, watch for side effects such as upset stomach, dizziness, and headache. Seek medical attention if you experience more severe side effects such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes), confusion, fever, skin rash, shortness of breath, or signs of an allergic reaction like swelling or difficulty breathing. While phenazopyridine is an effective drug, it is not intended to cure the causes of urinary pain.

      Consult with a physician to find out what is causing your pain and learn how it can be treated for more permanent pain relief.

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