A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a painful and uncomfortable bacterial infection in any of the organs that make up your urinary system. While in most cases, a UTI will only last for a couple of days before the body kicks it out and returns to normal again, there are ways to prevent them from occurring frequently or ever again.
Understanding your urologic system and how it works is half the battle when it comes to preventing UTIs. The other half involves implementing lifestyle changes that support the health of your kidneys, bladder, and urethra. These natural remedies have been proven effective at fighting UTIs and keeping them at bay. Read on to discover how you can treat a UTI naturally with these six helpful tips…
Home Remedies to Treat Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Naturally
1. Drink Water
The first thing you should do when you feel a UTI coming on is drinking more water. It may sound silly, but it has been proven to reduce the risk of UTIs by almost half. The kidneys, where UTIs are most likely to occur, are responsible for filtering waste and toxins out of your body. When they are functioning at their optimum level, you are much less likely to suffer from UTIs.
When your body is dehydrated, the kidneys work overtime to filter out all the toxins that are in your system. This causes the flow of urine to slow down, which can result in bacteria getting trapped in your bladder. So, when you notice the first signs of a UTI, make sure you get your daily water consumption up to about 2 liters a day.
2. Squat Toilet Position
If you’re prone to UTIs, it is likely that you are experiencing incontinence, too. This is a very common problem especially in women as they get older and is a sign of a weakened pelvic floor. Constantly putting pressure on your pelvic floor can lead to it weakening over time. When your pelvic floor muscles are weak, they have less power to help you control your bladder.
This is especially the case when you’re peeing, as the urine flow may be slower, meaning it can run into your urethra and travel up into your bladder where bacteria may thrive. The easiest way to avoid this is by using the squatting position for urination. Most public toilets are now designed for the squatting position, but if you’re visiting friends or family, you can always bring a footstool with you to help you get into the right position.
In fact, many gyms and fitness centers now offer footstools in their toilets so members can utilize the squatting position as it is known to be more effective at contracting the pelvic muscles and helping you to go.
3. Take a Hot Shower or Bath
Hot water has been proven to be effective in the fight against UTIs. This is because it helps to open up the pores in the skin, the ones that line your urethra, which can be prone to infection. When the pores are open and can release any toxins or bacteria that are trapped inside your urethra, it can make it easier to flush them out of your body.
Hot water helps to open up your pores, and cold water closes them, which makes it harder for the toxins to be released from your body. To get the most out of your hot water bath or shower, use a loofah or soft bristle brush to scrub the inside of your urethra. Be sure not to use anything scratchy or abrasive, though.
4. Urinate Immediately After Sex
This may sound like the most painful UTI treatment ever, but it can be incredibly effective. When you have sex, especially when you are on your period, there is a higher chance of bacteria entering the urethra and traveling up into the bladder where it can thrive and cause a UTI.
Urinating immediately after sex will clear out any bacteria that made their way into the urethra and prevent it from getting inside your bladder. It also prevents any infections that may be present in your urethra from getting into your bladder. If you have a bedfellow that is prone to UTIs, it would be a good idea to let them know about this trick so they can employ it as soon as they are done.
5. Eat a High-Fiber Diet
A high-fiber diet is one of the best UTI prevention strategies available. Fibrous foods are rich in beneficial bacteria that help to maintain a healthy balance in the gut and prevent any unwanted bacteria from growing and flourishing. When these beneficial bacteria are present in high quantities in the gut, it acts as a natural barrier and protects the urinary tract from harmful bacteria.
So, when a UTI occurs, this helpful bacteria can fight it off, helping to prevent it from spreading throughout the urinary system. Including more high-fibrous foods in your diets, such as whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, can help to reduce the risk of UTIs by up to 50%.
6. Supplement with Proteins & Minerals
Some of the best UTI treatment supplements are proteins and minerals. These are key in helping the body fight off infections and promote healing when they have already taken place. When a UTI rears its ugly head in your urinary system, it causes inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s natural response when it is under attack from bacteria or some other kind of microorganism.
Proteins and minerals help the body to fight off the infection before it can fully take hold. They are also essential in the healing process when the infection has been successfully kicked out of the body. Mineral supplements that are rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium can help to reduce the occurrence of UTIs by almost 50%. When you’re experiencing a UTI, these minerals can also help to ease the pain and encourage healing.
7. Use Essential Oils
Essential oils are incredibly powerful and can be incredibly effective at treating UTIs. A few options that you can try include tea tree oil, lemon, peppermint, and juniper. To treat a UTI, you can add a few drops of one of these essential oils to a glass of water and drink it twice a day. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball, place it in a jar, and fill the jar with water.
You can then put the jar beside your bed and inhale the scent of the essential oil throughout the night. Most of the time, UTIs are relatively easy to treat when you know what’s causing them. You may need to make a few changes in your lifestyle, but in most cases, you will get better without having to visit the doctor.
FAQ related to Urinary Tract Infection
What causes urinary tract infections?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common infections that may be caused because of microorganisms that are bacteria. UTIs happen when bacteria from the skin or rectum enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract.
What are the signs of a urinary tract infection?
Following are the major symptoms that one can note for urinary tract infections:
1. Burning or pain while urinating
2. One may have frequent urination.
3. Bloody urine
4. Cramping or huge pressure in the lower abdomen.
What’s the fastest way to treat UTIs?
Antibiotics are the most effective and fastest way to treat urinary tract infections.
Can urinary tract infections (UTIs) go away on their own?
It has been seen that 20% to 40% of uncomplicated UTIs that occur in women can go away on their own. But it is crucial to note that various risks are associated when you do not treat UTIs. So one should take treatment from a healthcare professional to treat urinary tract infections.
How long do UTIs last?
If you start taking antibiotics, you will notice that UTI symptoms will start improving within 3 to 4 days. Curing from UTIs depends upon various factors such as the severity of your UTI, how fast you get treatment, etc.
Final Verdict:
A UTI, while uncomfortable, is usually easy to treat when you know what’s causing it. If you experience frequent UTIs, you may want to look at your lifestyle as a possible cause. Follow these tips, and you can treat most UTIs with ease and prevent them from happening again in the future.
Stay hydrated, eat a high-fiber diet, use essential oils, and be diligent about taking supplements to promote healing. Also, in case if you are experiencing UTIs frequently, we would suggest visiting the doctor, before it gets worse! If you have any other ideas or home remedies to treat UTIs, please do share them with us!
