UTI is urinary tract infection and as the name suggests the condition affects the urinary tract of humans. Urinary tract infection can occur in men, women and children though it is more common in women than in men. Children also tend to suffer more from UTI because they do not drink water regularly. UTI is caused by bacteria and is the second most common infection after thrush, which is caused by yeast. Successful treatment of UTI is possible and needs to be done in time because severe form of the infection involves passing of blood along with urine.
If the infection is left untreated it disappears in some time but keeps coming back because the infection causing bacteria never go away completely. When the conditions are favorable, they rapidly multiply and cause infection. The infection results in intense burning and pain while passing urine. However, if left untreated the infection can be the reason for infertility as well.
There are remedies that can be successfully used at home for treating UTI. Some of these treatments have been used since centuries by women for getting rid of the bacteria causing the infection. Let us list down some of the most effective home remedies for UTI.
Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infection
1. Yogurt
This is perhaps the most common home remedy for curing urinary tract infection. Yogurt contains live and active cultures of healthy bacteria that help fight the infection causing bacteria and eliminate them. If you tend to suffer from UTI frequently then you must include one bowl of plain yogurt in your daily diet.
If you are suffering from UTI then have 2-3 bowls of yogurt every day. Also, you can apply yogurt in and around your vagina to treat the infection directly. Scoop yogurt from a bowl and insert 5-7ml of it deep inside your vagina. You can use tampons for this by coating them with yogurt. This treatment must be done 3-4 times for three days to get rid of the infection completely. Use only plain yogurt and not flavored yogurt for treating the infection.
2. Water
This is the simplest way of treating urinary tract infection in both children and adults. Drink as much water as you can during UTI; at least 10-12 glasses of water are recommended for daily intake. During the infection the acidic environment of the bladder and the vagina increases which leads to burning and pain during passing of urine.
This acidic environment can be neutralized by drinking lots of plain water. You can also drink plenty of fresh fruit juices. But there is no substitute for water. Also, do not add sugar in your juices and do not drink carbonated drinks. The sugar present in some of the foods and drinks tends to increase the severity of the infection because the bacteria multiply rapidly when they are fed sugar.
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3. Cranberry Juice
Fresh cranberry juice is alkaline in nature and helps neutralize the acid in the urine. This makes it possible to pass the urine without feeling pain and discomfort.
However, only fresh cranberry juice should be used for treating urinary tract infection. Do not use the commercially available cranberry juices as they contain sugar and other preservatives that will likely help the bacteria grow in leaps and bounds. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of cranberry juice three days in a row.
4. Garlic
Pessaries prepared using garlic are inserted into the vagina to eliminate the bacteria that result in the infection. Garlic has antifungal and antibacterial properties that ward off the infectious bacteria. To prepare garlic pessaries take three cloves of garlic. Peel them and wrap them tightly in medicated gauze. Keep the gauze longer from one end. Now insert the garlic inside the vagina. Keep the long end of the gauze hanging from the vagina.
Do not make this short or you will have problems taking out the garlic. Leave the garlic in the vagina for 2-3 hours. Remove the garlic and throw away the pessary. Wash the vagina using plain water. Dry the vagina completely with a hand dryer. It is important to keep the vagina dry at all times or the bacteria will find it easier to multiply under wet conditions.
Re-insert three fresh cloves of garlic the same way as earlier. Do the treatment three times during the day.Leave five cloves of garlic inside the vagina during bed time. Remove the garlic pessary first thing in the morning. The treatment should be done for 4-5 days to ensure complete removal of the bacteria.
5. Baking Soda
Baking soda is often used in the treatment of urinary tract infection at home. It has alkaline properties that neutralize the acids in the urine thus reducing the pain and burning sensations felt while urinating during urinary tract infection.Consume baking soda by making a solution of it. To 250ml of water add two teaspoons of baking soda. Mix well. Drink this concoction in one go. At least 5-6 glasses of baking soda water must be had for four days daily to treat the bacterial infection.
6. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like orange and lemon are rich sources of vitamin C.This vitamin is very important for keeping the bladder healthy as it eliminates the infection causing bacteria from the system. Increase your intake of citrus fruits during urinary tract infection. You can also drink fresh orange juice and lime juice for faster treatment of the infection. Do not add sugar or honey to the juices. Take supplements of vitamin C to cure the infection.
5000mg of vitamin C is the recommended daily dosage for people who frequently suffer from urinary tract infection. Along with these remedies it is also important that you take good care of your diet. Do not eat and drink products that contain sugar in any form. Also, avoid foods that are processed.
These will only increase the severity of the infection. Wear loose cotton undergarments to avoid UTI. Cotton tends to absorb the moisture from the skin keeping our private parts clean and dry always. The bacteria tend to grow into unhealthy numbers when the skin remains wet and sweaty most of the times. Maintain good hygiene practices at all times to avoid the occurrence of UTI.
