How to Get Rid of A Urinary Tract Infection?

1. What Is Urinary Tract Infection

The most common bacterial infection that you can find in the United States is Urinary Tract Infection¹. More than 50% of females have UTIs once in their lifetime.

This bacterial infection occurs when the bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply. The bacteria can affect more areas in the urinary tract, and you can have

• bladder infection

• kidney infection

• ureters infection

• urethra infection

2. UTI Symptoms

A woman with UTI can have several symptoms, especially when the bacteria affects different other than just one place.

• frequent urination, often having little urine

• urine leakage

• bloody urine

• foul-smelling urine

• pain while urinating

• burning sensation

• lower abdominal pain

• fever below 101 degrees Fahrenheit

• cramps in the lower abdomen and groin

• smell or color change in urine

3. What Are The Causes Of UTIs

• use of catheter

• sexual intercourse

• kidney transplants

• use of diagrams and spermicides

• manipulating the urethra

• diabetes

4. Do Antibiotics Work Against UTIs

These infections are not so serious if you treat them timely with the help of antibiotics and proper medical attention. But, it can cause you severe problems if you leave them untreated. The infection may spread to your kidneys and bloodstream, which can often become life-threatening to you. If the bacteria affects the kidney, a person may suffer from kidney damage and kidney scarring due to kidney infection.

However, UTI symptoms² often improve after two to five days of antibiotic treatment. Most doctors prescribe the antibiotic for at least four to five days.

• rashes

• nausea

• diarrhea

• vomiting

• abnormal liver function

• headache

4.1. Destroy Helpful bacteria

Even antibiotics can destroy some of the bacteria in the body, which are healthy bacteria. Our body contains a huge population of bacteria and other microorganisms, which helps us to function properly.

If the antibiotics kill some good bacteria, they will create different problems in your body. So, you cannot solely depend on antibiotics to treat your UTI problems.

4.2. Can Create Strains Of Bacteria

Some of the species of bacteria will develop resistance to the bacteria. Even in research, it was seen that the primary cause of UTIs was increased drug resistance. If a person uses more antibiotics, the faster the bacteria will develop resistance.

It can help develop resistance if the patient does not take the full prescribed course of treatment. You should take antibiotics until the end of the date that the doctor prescribed. In addition, you should never share your antibiotics with others. This is because some person requires a different dosage of antibiotics. So, your dosage amount might not be suitable for the other person.

5. Other Medical Treatments For UTIs

UTIs can be treated by directly targeting the E.coli’s surface component for the adhesion, FimH. When you urinate, the urinary tract tends to flush bacteria, but the FimH contents in the E.coli can help the bacteria to have a firm grip on the cells of the urinary tract. Furthermore, this makes it harder for the body to flush the bacteria from the urinary tract with urination naturally.

There can be other treatments for UTIs except for antibiotics, only if the scientists find some alternatives to directly attack the proteins, especially with some kind of natural therapies. D-mannose is a sugar that sticks with E.coli and can help withdraw recurrent urinary tract infections and help in improving the quality of life.

However, more research is required for utilizing the mannose-containing substances which pose the FimH attached to the lining of the urinary tract and promise to treat UTIs caused by E.coli.

6. Risk Factor Of Treating UTIs Without Antibiotics

• bacteria species are already resistant

• to conditions that affect the immune system and can have HIV, cardiac disease, or, at worst, cause lupus

• changes in the urinary tract or organs can help with swollen prostate or reduce urine flow.

7. How To Get Rid Of A Urinary Tract Infection 

Antibiotic treatment will remain the only way to deal with UTIs until there are advancements in UTI treatment.³ However, besides antibiotic therapy prescribed by healthcare, there are several home remedies that you can apply to feel better and reduce recurrent urinary tract infections.

7.1. Try To Stay Hydrated

Drinking enough water has always proved to be beneficial. It can help you to deal with UTIs. With the help of water, the urinary tract organs efficiently remove waste from the body. In addition, the organs also hold vital nutrients and electrolytes and only pass the waste materials.

7.2. Drink Cranberry Juice

Cranberries have some ingredients which can stop the E.coli bacteria from invading your uterus and getting clung to the urinary tract. Some of the studies also suggest that it is potent to reduce the risk of urinary tract infection. You can take the products from cranberry, unsweetened cranberry juice, cranberry supplements, and dried cranberries. However, the studies also suggest that cranberry alone cannot help you to deal with urinary tract infections.

You can also try AZO Cranberry Caplets if the taste of cranberry juice does not soothe you. The caplets are made to boost urinary tract health. Each box of this product has 50 caplets.

However, there is no recommended guidance about how much cranberry juice you should drink to prevent UTIs. 

7.3. Consume Probiotics

Probiotics tend to promote healthy digestion and also immunity. They are also potent in treating and preventing urinary tract infections when especially used with antibiotic therapy. Due to recurrent UTIs, the bad bacteria from the group of Lactobacillus⁴ are replaced by the good bacteria in the urogenital system. The probiotics help in restoring the good bacteria, and then they can reduce recurrent infections.

Probiotic supplements are also beneficial in dealing with UTI pain, but more research is needed in this field. However, suppose you are interested in taking probiotics for your urinary system. In that case, you can take the Align Dualbotic supplements, which are easy-to-take probiotics specially designed for digestive health. There are also other benefits of probiotics⁵.

• it can prevent harmful bacteria from getting attached to the urinary tract cells

• lowers the pH value of urine and then makes the condition less favorable for bacteria

• produces hydrogen peroxide, which creates a strong antibacterial agent in the urine

Probiotics can also be found in several products

• certain cheese

• kefir

• yogurts

• sauerkraut

People who take Lactobacillus supplements have low antibiotic-resistance bacteria⁶ in them.

7.4. Take Vitamin C

The antioxidant property of Vitamin C helps in improving immune system function⁷. The antioxidant property also tends with nitrates in the urine and forms nitrogen oxides which can kill bacteria. Consuming vitamin C can lower the pH value of urine, making it less prone to bacteria, and creating an environment to kill bad bacteria.

But, there is not enough evidence that Vitamin C intake can prevent UTIs. Taking the supplements along with Vitamin C may maximize the benefits and help you to deal with Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs.)

Females aged 19 should consume at least 75 milligrams of vitamin C daily. The intake amount for males should be at least 90 mg daily. Smoking persons should take an extra 35 mg of vitamins per day.

7.5. Have A Good Sexual Hygiene

Sexual intercourse can invite some bacteria and other microbes into the urinary tract. So, having good sexual hygiene will help reduce the risk of lower urinary tract infections. To get good sexual hygiene, you can

• urinate before and after sex

• wash the genitals, especially the foreskin, after sexual acts or intercourse

• use barrier contraception, which includes condoms

• wash your genitals or change the condom, if you switch from anal to vaginal sex

• ensure that the sexual partners are aware of the current and past UTIs

7.6. Urinate When You Need To

If you hold or ignore pee, it can give chances for the bacteria to multiply in the urinary tract. Frequent urination helps flush out the bacteria from the urinary tract.

It also reduces the time given to the bacteria in the urine to expose to the cells in the tract. It limits the risk of bacteria getting attached and infecting the urinary cells.

So, you should use the bathroom whenever you feel the urge to pee. It’s crucial to empty your bladder fully to avoid bladder infections. You should empty your bladder after sex if you are a female.

7.7. Wear Loose Clothing

Wearing cotton-lined or loose-fitting clothing can ease your symptoms to any existing UTI symptoms. 

Tight-fitting clothing from certain types of fabric can bring moisture which will again allow the bacteria to grow in your genital area and worsen your infection.

8. Prevention

Prevention is always better than treatment, So if you have a UTI, you should seek a doctor. But, you may take some measures that can stop the flow of E.coli bacteria in the urethra from the urinary tract. Let us see some topics that can help you prevent urinary tract infections.

8.1. Invest In A Bidet

If you wipe perfectly from front to back while going to the bathroom, it can help prevent the spread of the bacteria through the urethra. However, it is difficult to clean thoroughly with just toilet paper.

Try to clean up and feel clean without investing in an expensive bidet attachment. A bidet is a great option for cleaning and can help prevent the spread of bacteria. Use it to clean your genitals after having sex and period.

8.2. Skip Baths

You should take showers instead of baths. It can help you prevent UTIs. People prone to frequent UTIs can swap their soothing soaks with luxurious showers.

8.3. Drink Lots Of Water

Drinking water is always beneficial for your body. This tip also goes for treating UTIs. Drinking plenty of water regularly can help flush out nasty bacteria and stop infections in the urinary tract.

8.4. Wash Your Genitals

Washing your genitals does not include douching or using any scented products. It can cause irritation and then exacerbate the issues. So instead of choosing a gentle cleanser, you can use Cetaphil or wash your genitals with water only.

Washing your genitals after sex is a great preventive measure for UTIs.

9. When Should You Visit A Doctor

However, if you end up with frequent UTIs, then your doctor will ask you to take some tests

• urinary tract ultrasound

• plain film X-ray

• a repeat urine culture

• CT scan

You can also be referred to a urologist, depending on the severity of your UTI condition and the chronic infections.

Some strains of bacteria cause UTIs ranging from mild to severe problems. The severity may depend on

• immune system condition

• the exact location where the UTI is happening

• the bacterium, which is chasing the UTI

After checking all the conditions, your doctor will be able to evaluate the situation of the infection and take action according to it.

10. Conclusion

Most people end up with UTIs at some point in their life. Urinary infections caused by E.coli are more common in females than males. A UTI infection may go away independently, but if the symptoms are severe and ignored, it can cause serious problems.

Researchers are performing tests to determine if they can help the patients prevent spreading of bacteria in the urinary tract without using antibiotics. However, some home remedies can be applied to prevent the severity of UTIs. But, you should always consult with your doctor when you have UTI.

FAQs

1.  Can UTIs go away on their own?

A: In some cases, mild UTIs may resolve on their own without treatment. However, it is generally recommended to seek medical attention and take appropriate antibiotics to prevent the infection from spreading to the kidneys and causing more severe complications.

2. What should I do if I suspect I have a UTI?

A: If you suspect you have a UTI, it is essential to visit a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. They will likely perform a urine test to confirm the presence of bacteria or other signs of infection.

3. Can I prevent UTIs from recurring?

A: While some individuals may be more prone to recurrent UTIs, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk. Staying well-hydrated, practicing good hygiene, urinating after sexual intercourse, and avoiding prolonged holding of urine are some measures that may help prevent UTIs.

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Last Updated on July 24, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology