More common in women, urinary tract infection (UTI) can be quite uncomfortable, if not painful, in the short time span that it occurs. Although UTI can be treated by a medical professional, there are also home remedies that may help before you need to seek out medical help.
What is Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is an infection in the bladder, kidneys, urethra, or any part of the urinary system. Most of the infections occur in the lower urinary tract, such as the bladder and the urethra.
UTI Symptoms
There are a few noticeable symptoms of UTI, including:
- Cramping
- Fatigue or fever
- Pain during sexual intercourse or urination
- Pain in the lower abdomen, bladder, groin, or pelvis
- Urinary Issues (bloody, cloudy, dark, foul smell, frequency, persistent, sense of incomplete bladder emptying)
- Vaginal irritation
How Do You Get A UTI?
Stool bacteria from the anus entering the urinary tract is the cause of UTIs. Bacteria that live in the vagina and genital areas can also enter the urethra, traveling to the bladder, and causing infection.
Because women have shorter urethras, which carry pee out of the body and are closer to the anus, the entering bacteria is more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys to cause infection.
If you want to try your own remedies for UTI before seeking medical attention, there are home remedies available for you to try.
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13 Home Remedies for UTIs
Cranberry juice – cranberry juice (or the supplements) is the most popular of the natural treatments for UTIs; the flavonoids and phenolic acids in cranberries help prevent and treat UTIs.
Staying hydrated – drinking water and other healthy liquids will make you urinate more frequently, resulting in the removal of bacteria from the urinary tract.
Increase your vitamin C – It increases the acidity of the urine, killing off the infection-causing bacteria.
Use probiotics – Certain strains of probiotics can decrease the risk of UTIs.
Antibiotics – They are the main line of defense against UTIs and can also be taken with