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How to stop a UTI from progressing
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) include a strong, constant urge to urinate, urinating frequently but small amounts, burning sensation when urinating and possibly blood in the urine 1. Pelvic pressure, fever, chills, nausea and lower abdomen discomfort may also occur. Sometimes you can clear up your UTI at home and stop it from progressing to the point where you need to take a course of antibiotics.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Relieve the symptoms. Phenazopyridine is a common ingredient in over the counter UTI medications. These medications help treat painful burning, but they do not cure the infection. Some may turn your urine an orange or red color. Check the box and consult a doctor for the appropriate dosage. Don’t take over the counter medications for more than 2 days. They may cause headaches and stomach issues and may not be appropriate for patients with other health issues.
How to Ease the Discomfort of a Bladder Infection
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Stay hydrated. Drink water or clear liquids to help flush the infection out of the bladder. According to DeepFitness.com, you may need to drink up to a gallon a day to totally flush the infection out. Cranberry juice, widely known as a folk remedy for treating UTIs, acts like a natural antibiotic. Try to find cranberry juice without the added sweeteners. According to Carol J. Mulvihill, unsweetened cranberry juice helps prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder. Blueberry juice also has similar properties.
Avoid irritating the bladder. Limit your intake of alcohol, citrus and drinks with caffeine. Citrus drinks may also create an alkaline environment in the bladder, which only encourages bacterial growth. If you feel the urge to urinate, do so as soon as possible. “Holding it” will only increase your chances of further developing a UTI.
How to Cure a UTI Without Antibiotics
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Stay comfortable. Keep your genital area clean to prevent additional bacteria from growing. Wearing loose clothes will also help prevent the spread of infection. Females should also avoid tampons, bubble baths and hygiene sprays.
Give natural supplements a try. If you find the cranberry juice too tart, try taking it in pill form. Garlic supplements also have an antibacterial effect, according to DeepFitness.com.
Tips
See a doctor if you symptoms do not subside after 1 week. Other conditions, including several sexually transmitted diseases, can have similar symptoms as a UTI. Delaying antibiotic treatment can result in the UTI becoming worse and spreading to the kidneys. Many pharmacies will sell test trips to help you determine if you have a UTI.
Warnings
According to the Mayo Clinic, you should not drink cranberry juice if you're taking the blood-thinning medication warfarin as there could be possible interactions. Call your doctor if you experience shortness of breath, confusion or blueish skin. Hospitalization and treatment with intravenous antibiotics may be necessary for severe infections.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Urinary tract infection
- University of Pittsburgh: Why Cranberry Juice Works for UTI Prevention
- Jepson RG, Williams G, Craig JC. Cranberries for preventing urinary tract infections. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;10:CD001321. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001321.pub5
- Maki KC, Kaspar KL, Khoo C, et al. Consumption of a cranberry juice beverage lowered the number of clinical urinary tract infection episodes in women with a recent history of urinary tract infection. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Jun;103(6):1434-42.
- Vidlar A, Student V Jr, Vostalova J, et al. Cranberry fruit powder (Flowens™) improves lower urinary tract symptoms in men: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. World J Urol. 2016 Mar;34(3):419-24.
- Ledda A, Belcaro G, Dugall M, et al. Supplementation with high titer cranberry extract (Anthocran®) for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in elderly men suffering from moderate prostatic hyperplasia: a pilot study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2016;20(24):5205-5209.
- Khairnar MR, Karibasappa GN, Dodamani AS, Vishwakarma P, Naik RG, Deshmukh MA. Comparative assessment of Cranberry and Chlorhexidine mouthwash on streptococcal colonization among dental students: A randomized parallel clinical trial. Contemp Clin Dent. 2015 Jan-Mar;6(1):35-9.
Tips
- See a doctor if you symptoms do not subside after 1 week. Other conditions, including several sexually transmitted diseases, can have similar symptoms as a UTI. Delaying antibiotic treatment can result in the UTI becoming worse and spreading to the kidneys. Many pharmacies will sell test trips to help you determine if you have a UTI.
Warnings
- According to the Mayo Clinic, you should not drink cranberry juice if you're taking the blood-thinning medication warfarin as there could be possible interactions. Call your doctor if you experience shortness of breath, confusion or blueish skin. Hospitalization and treatment with intravenous antibiotics may be necessary for severe infections.
Writer Bio
Karen Taylor is a visual journalist, page designer and horse-lover in central Indiana. She designs pages for an area newspaper including feature pages and page A1. She has had a passion for journalism her entire life and enjoys both the design and writing aspects of the industry. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Ball State University in visual journalism.