fbpx

6 Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections affect millions of people every year.

Though they’re traditionally treated with antibiotics, there are also many home remedies available that help treat them and prevent them from reoccurring.

What Is a Urinary Tract Infection?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that affects any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra (1).

Bacteria from the bowel are the most common cause of UTIs, but fungi and viruses can also cause infection (1).

The two strains of bacteria Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus saprophyticus account for about 80% of cases (2).

Common symptoms of UTI include (1):

 

  • A burning sensation when peeing
  • Frequent urination
  • Cloudy or dark urine
  • Urine with a strong odor
  • A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
  • Pelvic pain

Though UTIs can affect anyone, women are more prone to infection. This is because the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the bladder, is shorter in women than men. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter and reach the bladder (2).

In fact, nearly half of all women will experience a UTI at some point in their lives (3).

Antibiotics are used to treat UTIs and are sometimes used in low doses long-term to prevent recurrence (4).

There are also several natural ways to protect against infections and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Without further ado, here are the top 6 home remedies to fight UTI.

1. Drink Plenty of Fluids

Hydration status has been linked to the risk of urinary tract infection.

This is because regular urination can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract to prevent infection (5).

One study examined participants with long-term urinary catheters and found that low urine output was associated with an increased risk of developing a UTI (6).

A 2003 study looked at 141 girls and showed that low fluid intake and infrequent urination were both linked to recurrent UTIs (7).

In another study, 28 women self-monitored their hydration status using a probe to measure their urine concentration. They found that an increase in fluid intake led to a decrease in UTI frequency (8).

To stay hydrated and meet your fluid needs, it’s best to drink water throughout the day and always when you’re thirsty.

Spread The Love
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Leave a Reply