At Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections
Your urinary tract includes the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. When foreign bacteria enter the urinary tract, an infection could occur. Using at-home remedies can offer you a cost and time-effective solution to a very common infection.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) occur when foreign bacteria enter the urine tract, causing an infection. UTIs are common with approximately 60% of women and 12% of men experiencing at least one UTI in their lifetime.
Urinary Tract Infection Prevention
UTIs are common, but they are also preventable. Some ways you can prevent a UTI include:
Practicing Good Hygiene
In most cases, UTIs happen when bacteria from the bowel enter the urine tract. This can be prevented by always wiping from front to back after bowel movement to avoid E. coli moving from your rectum back into your body.
For women, UTIs can happen around your menstrual cycle. It is important that you change your period products during your cycle to avoid creating moist environments where bacteria can grow. Women should also avoid using deodorants on or near their vagina.
Drinking Plenty of Fluids
Fluids can help flush bacteria from your urinary tract by making you pee. Though fluids such as fruit juices, milk, or flavored drinks can help, it is recommended that you drink six to eight glasses of water daily.
Changing Your Peeing Habits
Pee is a waste product from drinking fluids. Because it is a waste product, it removes other waste and bacteria from your body. Peeing often throughout the day will help drop your risk of developing an infection.
If you are sexually active, trying to pee before and after sex can help cleanse the area and remove bacteria that could cause an infection. If you are unable to pee, it is recommended you wash the area with warm water after to remove bacteria.
Using Water-Based Products
If you have frequent UTIs, using unscented, water-based products such as lubricants and cleansers could help you prevent future infections.
Changing Your Outfit Choices
Bacteria grows best in moist environments. Tight-fitting clothing can create moist environments by making you sweat which promotes bacteria growth. On the other hand, loose fitting clothing and underwear prevent moisture from accumulating near your urethra, which decreases your chance for bacteria growth and infection.
At-Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections
Though these at-home remedies could help you, it is important that you talk to a Urologist if you are experiencing frequent urinary tract infections as there may be an underlying health condition present or you may need a prescribed antibiotic.
Drink Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
Juices can help flush out your urinary tract. However, it is important to make sure you are drinking unsweetened juice as added sugars may make UTIs worse.
Try Probiotics
Probiotics may help replenish naturally occurring, healthy bacteria growing in your gut. They can also help prevent harmful bacteria from attaching to your urinary tract cells and can even lower urine pH, making it less hospitable to harmful bacteria.
Eat More Garlic
Garlic has a sulfur-containing compound, called allicin, as well as other anti-infective and anti-inflammatory components that reduce UTI causing bacteria.
Add More Vitamin C to Your Diet
Vitamin C is a great addition to your diet to strengthen your immune system. In addition, vitamin C can also acidify your urine, which limits the growth of some bacteria and may prevent UTIs.
Although vitamin C can help, it is important that you don’t eat too many acidic foods if you currently have a UTI because they could irritate your bladder, making your infection worse.
Change Your Birth Control
If you are using spermicides, diaphragms, or condoms with spermicides as your birth control, you may be increasing the likelihood of developing a UTI for women. If you need to use a lubricant, it is recommended that you use one that is water-based.
Talk to a Urology Specialist
If you are experiencing UTI symptoms or have chronic UTIs, schedule an appointment to see a urology specialist.