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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) refer to a range of issues involving inflammation of the urinary tract caused by germs, bacteria, or fungi. While anyone can develop a UTI, women, individuals with bladder control issues, catheter users, and diabetic patients are at higher risk. UTIs can also spread through sexual activity, so it’s important to inform your partner if you’re affected. Although UTIs are not typically severe, they can lead to liver damage, increased blood pressure, and urinary complications. Doctors often prescribe antibiotics for quick treatment, but natural remedies can also help prevent recurrent infections.
Steps
Adjust Your Diet
Allow Your Body to Heal Naturally. UTIs can manifest in various ways, causing discomfort or even sharp pain, but they often resolve on their own without treatment. Research shows that 71% of women experience symptom improvement within a week without intervention.
- However, frequent UTIs should not be ignored, as they may lead to kidney infections if left untreated.
Incorporate antioxidant-rich foods into your diet. Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting your body's cells from various forms of damage. They are also beneficial in addressing numerous health issues, including cancer, Alzheimer's, and urinary tract infections. Vegetables and fruits are generally rich in antioxidants, with blueberries, raspberries, grapes, blackberries, pumpkins, and bell peppers being particularly abundant sources.
Stay well-hydrated. Drinking plenty of water increases urination frequency, which, although slightly inconvenient, accelerates recovery by flushing out harmful bacteria.
Support the natural balance of gut bacteria. A common misconception is that the body should be free of bacteria. In reality, your body hosts about 10 microorganisms for every cell. The gut produces beneficial bacteria that aid in digestion, boost the immune system, and support brain function. An unhealthy gut microbiome can lead to various health issues.
- Fermented foods like yogurt, pickles, tempeh, miso, sauerkraut, kefir, and kombucha help maintain a balance between good and bad bacteria.
- Probiotic supplements can also strengthen gut health and have been shown to help prevent urinary tract infections.
- Many yogurt brands now include probiotics, but you can also take probiotic capsules. Probiotics are measured in colony-forming units (CFUs), and a daily intake of 5 million CFUs is recommended.
Add fish to your daily diet. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for building a robust immune system that fights inflammation. Fish is the richest source of Omega-3s, though supplements are also available to boost your intake.
Limit caffeine and sugar consumption. Caffeine acts as a stimulant, while refined sugar feeds harmful bacteria. Both can worsen inflammation, so it's best to minimize their intake when dealing with a urinary tract infection.
Utilize powder and extract
Consume water or cranberry extract. Cranberries are widely recognized for their role in treating urinary tract infections due to their ability to inhibit bacterial growth. This fruit not only increases the acidity of your urine but also provides a chemical from the proanthocyanidin family that reduces the bacteria's ability to adhere to the bladder and urethral cells. Although highly favored for treating urinary tract infections, research indicates that cranberries are more effective in prevention rather than cure.
- Drink 300-600 mL of cranberry juice daily. This recommendation is based on a detailed study of Ocean Spray Cranberry juice.
- Take cranberry in tablet form (400 mg twice daily).
Incorporate cranberries and lingonberries into your diet. Lingonberries, related to cranberries, have been shown in studies to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in women when consumed as a concentrated juice mix. Participants in the study drank 50 mL of water mixed with 7.5 g of concentrated cranberry juice and 1.5 g of concentrated lingonberry juice daily.
Use bearberry powder. Bearberry, also known as Uva Ursi, may not be readily available in your area but can be purchased online at a reasonable price. This powder is not widely known globally but is familiar to Native Americans and Europeans. It is recommended to use this powder three times a day, 250-500 mg per dose.
- Bearberry powder may turn your urine a greenish-brown color, which is completely normal and harmless.
- As a diuretic, bearberry helps the body release salt and water. Consult your doctor before using it, especially if you are on other medications.
Use brewer's yeast. Theoretically, brewer's yeast can cause bacteria that cause urinary tract infections to clump together, but no formal studies have confirmed its effectiveness in treating these infections. Additionally, brewer's yeast may interact with other medications, so consulting a doctor is advisable. Typically, brewer's yeast is used at a dose of 3 g per serving, twice daily.
- Consult your doctor before using brewer's yeast if you are on medication. Avoid using brewer's yeast while taking MAOIs.
- MAOIs include medications containing: Selegiline, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Rasagiline, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine Sulfate, Selegiline hydrochloride, Tranylcypromine sulfate, and Rasagiline mesylate.
Take approximately 5 mL of D-mannose twice daily. It is recommended to combine it with cranberry juice or plain water. D-mannose is a type of sugar effective in treating urinary tract infections, though it differs from regular dietary sugar. Experts believe D-mannose works by interfering with bacterial adhesion to cells. While specific studies on its efficacy for UTIs are limited, it remains a popular and effective method for preventing recurrent infections.
- Note that D-mannose may cause loose stools and bloating.
Drink teas and extracts proven to treat urinary tract infections. Numerous teas and extracts can serve as remedies for UTIs. The primary advantage of this method is the ability to switch between flavors or products. The key is to increase your daily intake of these beverages. If using dried products, simply dissolve a teaspoon in hot water for immediate use.
- Pipsissewa (a heath family plant): use two to three times daily, mixing 8-10 drops of extract into 175-180 mL of water.
- Corn silk: take 400 mg per dose, twice daily.
- Buchu (a rue family plant): 500 mg per dose, twice daily.
- Horsetail: Not recommended for diabetics. Horsetail may reduce vitamin B and thiamine levels, so supplement these nutrients when using it.
Preventing urinary tract infections
Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is the simplest way to prevent UTIs and maintain overall health. Aim to drink at least 1.5 to 1.8 liters of water daily for optimal results.
Urinate as soon as you feel the need. The longer urine stays in the bladder, the more bacteria can grow. For women, always wipe from front to back after using the toilet, especially after bowel movements, to prevent bacterial contamination from feces.
Maintain hygiene after sexual activity. It is advisable to urinate immediately after intercourse, especially for women, to prevent bacteria from entering the urinary tract. Contraceptive methods using spermicides also increase the risk of urinary tract infections. However, alternative contraceptive methods may raise the likelihood of unintended pregnancy. Therefore, a more feasible approach is to use oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices, or contraceptive rings when possible.
Wear comfortable clothing for the lower body. The ultimate goal is to keep the genital area dry and breathable. Loose-fitting clothing, particularly cotton, promotes better air circulation compared to nylon fabrics or tight jeans.
Maintain a high-fiber diet. While no studies directly link a fiber-rich diet to urinary tract infections, consuming more fiber helps prevent constipation, a common contributor to UTIs. Many people incorporate beans, whole grains, and vegetables into their daily meals to reduce the risk of infections.
Avoid using body washes or intimate hygiene products. The vagina’s natural cleansing mechanism can eliminate odors without external products. Additionally, items like intimate washes, wipes, and deodorants contain harmful chemicals for fragrance, which can cause skin irritation and hormonal imbalances. Douching, in particular, can strip away beneficial bacteria, increasing the risk of UTIs. It also disrupts vaginal pH balance, leading to dryness and irritation.
- Douching further raises the risk of gynecological infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and infertility.
Advice
- Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages and foods high in sugar, as these can exacerbate inflammation and infections.
- Incorporate antibacterial foods like yogurt, miso, and chicken soup into your diet to help combat infections.
- Keep the kidney area warm by using a warm water bottle or wearing a long sweater, which can alleviate pelvic pain and bladder spasms.
Warning
- Refrain from sexual activity if you have a urinary tract infection.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as high fever, vomiting, kidney pain, blood in urine, or if the infection persists for more than a week.
- Baking soda can be used as a natural remedy for urinary tract infections, but it may not be safe for everyone. Consult a doctor before trying this method.
