Natural remedies to keep UTI at bay
Urinary tract infection or UTI is one of the most common health problems
faced by people today. This painful infection is 10 times more
prevalent in women than in men, with almost 50% of females experiencing
this condition at least once during their lifetime. Once you have
experienced UTI, it tends to recur. Pregnancy, intercourse, menopause,
holding urine for prolonged periods of time, etc. are the most common
triggers for this infection. Usually, UTI is accompanied by symptoms
such as fever, abdominal pain, frequent urge to urinate, and a burning
sensation while urinating. While doctors often prescribe antibiotics to
treat this condition, there are many home remedies that can not only
ease the symptoms of UTI but also prevent the recurrence of this painful
ordeal in the future.
What Is A Urinary Tract Infection?
When bacteria, fungi, or virus infect any part of your urinary tract, it results in urinary tract infection or UTI. When the immune response of the body is down and due to unhygienic causes, these microbes are not eliminated by the body and remain inside the urinary system, causing an infection. Infection of the urethra is called urethritis, and that of the urinary bladder is called cystitis. At times, these microbes (usually bacteria) can also travel back up the urinary tract and cause infection in the kidneys .
It is important to distinguish between a bladder infection (cystitis) and a kidney infection. A kidney infection is much more serious and can develop from an untreated bladder infection. Fever accompanies a kidney infection but is usually not present with a bladder infection.
SYMPTOMS OF UTI
When you get a burning sensation while passing urine, or you feel the need to pass urine frequently or when you see blood in your urine, then you should know that you have a urinary infection and call your doctor immediately. The following precautions and natural interventions may help if the infection has just begun:
1) One cup of fresh cherries (rich in antioxidants) every two hours help ease the burning sensation while passing urine.
2) Garlic is known to have antibacterial properties. Eating four to five cloves of raw garlic a day helps combat urinary infections.
3) The fresh green leaves of radish are packed with antibacterial properties. Taking around 150ml juice made from radish leaves for a fortnight can help reduce inflammation of the urinary bladder and reduce the burning sensation.
4) Cranberry juice. --Drink half a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice on a daily basis to prevent the infection. If you are already suffering from this infection, drink four glasses of this juice daily to protect your kidneys. Avoid adding any artificial sweetener to the juice.
If the flavor of cranberry juice is too pungent for your liking, you could dilute it with apple juice and water. Remember that drinking lots of water during a UTI is very important.
Cranberries are excellent for treating UTI, especially in their juiced form. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins that prevent the E.coli bacteria from crossing the urethra walls . They also possess antibiotic properties that help fight infections. In case of an infection, cranberry juice helps in fast recovery
5) Apple Cider Vinegar(ACV)
ACV is chock full of essential enzymes and nutrients such as potassium that inhibit bacteria that cause UTI to thrive . ACV is also rich in acetic acid, which promotes the growth of good bacteria and kills the bad bacteria.
However, be aware that ACV can increase the acidity of the urine and increase burning and irritation. So, if this occurs, stop the ACV.
6) Baking Soda
Baking soda is alkaline in nature and helps neutralize the acidity of your urine when you are suffering from UTI If your urine is less acidic, you should experience less pain and burning while urinating.
7) Yogurt
Plain yogurt (unflavored and unsweetened)
Enjoy a bowl of yogurt after every meal.Since yogurt is good for overall health, make this a regular inclusion in your daily diet.
One of the best (and tastiest) ways to keep both your bowel and bladder in good health is to ensure that your daily diet comprises at least one serving of yogurt. Yogurt contains probiotics that increase the concentration of good bacteria in your body while warding off the bad bacteria . Yogurt is also a great diet supplement when you are consuming antibiotics for UTI treatment as the antibiotics can create a shortage of good bacteria in your system.
Uva ursi is a popular herb that possesses remarkable therapeutic as well as curative benefits that help treat UTI. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that treat and prevent UTI .
Vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, bell peppers, papayas, broccoli, etc.
Enjoy one serving of vitamin C-rich foods daily. Stick to one serving of citrus fruits every day until the infection clears. Citrus fruit is acidic. While some acidification of the urine can be beneficial, be aware that too much acid in your urine can increase the pain and cause a burning sensation during urination.
Vitamin C plays a huge role in helping treat urinary tract infections. Foods such as oranges, berries, leafy greens, and bell peppers help acidify the urine and inhibit the growth of bacteria in your urinary tract . You can also consume vitamin C supplements.
A study conducted in 2013 observed the antimicrobial activity of the catechins EGC on E.coli bacteria responsible for UTI . This research proved that a daily cup of green tea could not only help fight UTI but also prevent its recurrence.
12) Lemon Juice
Note: Since lemon juice is acidic, rinse your mouth with plain water after you have your lemon drink and swallow.
Consume two to three tablespoons of coconut oil in a day. Repeat this until the UTI clears.
The medium chain fatty acids present in coconut oil have been widely studied by scientists and have been proven to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiprotzoal properties . Consuming this oil on a daily basis can help kill the microbes causing the urinary tract infection.
Consuming one cup of cut pineapple every day can help treat and prevent urinary tract infection. You can also drink pineapple juice every day.
Eat at least one cup of pineapple every day until the infection clears.
If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics to treat your UTI, supplementing the drugs with a daily dose of pineapple can expedite the process of recovery. The enzyme bromelain in pineapple enhances the effect of the antibiotic treatment of urinary tract infections.
Water is the foundation of life, yet it is the most underrated remedy for a variety of health concerns, including UTI. It is possibly the simplest and the most effective remedy for a urinary tract infection. Drinking plain water is essential as it flushes out the UTI-causing bacteria from your system by stimulating urination .
Other fluids that help clear UTIs are tender coconut water, barley water, buttermilk and cucumber juice, as these are believed to be diuretics. Cabbage, carrot, curd, coconut, clove, ginger, garlic, onion, radish and turmeric slow the spread of infections.
Maintain good personal hygiene and avoid using public toilets. After a bowel movement, wash and wipe yourself from front to back to prevent spreading of bacteria.
Don't suppress the need to urinate. Use the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge. The longer the urine stays in the bladder, the higher the chances of an infection occurring.
What Is A Urinary Tract Infection?
When bacteria, fungi, or virus infect any part of your urinary tract, it results in urinary tract infection or UTI. When the immune response of the body is down and due to unhygienic causes, these microbes are not eliminated by the body and remain inside the urinary system, causing an infection. Infection of the urethra is called urethritis, and that of the urinary bladder is called cystitis. At times, these microbes (usually bacteria) can also travel back up the urinary tract and cause infection in the kidneys .
It is important to distinguish between a bladder infection (cystitis) and a kidney infection. A kidney infection is much more serious and can develop from an untreated bladder infection. Fever accompanies a kidney infection but is usually not present with a bladder infection.
SYMPTOMS OF UTI
When you get a burning sensation while passing urine, or you feel the need to pass urine frequently or when you see blood in your urine, then you should know that you have a urinary infection and call your doctor immediately. The following precautions and natural interventions may help if the infection has just begun:
1) One cup of fresh cherries (rich in antioxidants) every two hours help ease the burning sensation while passing urine.
2) Garlic is known to have antibacterial properties. Eating four to five cloves of raw garlic a day helps combat urinary infections.
3) The fresh green leaves of radish are packed with antibacterial properties. Taking around 150ml juice made from radish leaves for a fortnight can help reduce inflammation of the urinary bladder and reduce the burning sensation.
4) Cranberry juice. --Drink half a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice on a daily basis to prevent the infection. If you are already suffering from this infection, drink four glasses of this juice daily to protect your kidneys. Avoid adding any artificial sweetener to the juice.
If the flavor of cranberry juice is too pungent for your liking, you could dilute it with apple juice and water. Remember that drinking lots of water during a UTI is very important.
Cranberries are excellent for treating UTI, especially in their juiced form. Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins that prevent the E.coli bacteria from crossing the urethra walls . They also possess antibiotic properties that help fight infections. In case of an infection, cranberry juice helps in fast recovery
5) Apple Cider Vinegar(ACV)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon honey
Juice of half a lemon 1 cup water
Mix two tablespoons of ACV with lemon juice, honey, and water. Drink the concoction twice a day until the infection clears.ACV is chock full of essential enzymes and nutrients such as potassium that inhibit bacteria that cause UTI to thrive . ACV is also rich in acetic acid, which promotes the growth of good bacteria and kills the bad bacteria.
However, be aware that ACV can increase the acidity of the urine and increase burning and irritation. So, if this occurs, stop the ACV.
6) Baking Soda
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- A glass of water
Baking soda is alkaline in nature and helps neutralize the acidity of your urine when you are suffering from UTI If your urine is less acidic, you should experience less pain and burning while urinating.
7) Yogurt
Plain yogurt (unflavored and unsweetened)
Enjoy a bowl of yogurt after every meal.Since yogurt is good for overall health, make this a regular inclusion in your daily diet.
One of the best (and tastiest) ways to keep both your bowel and bladder in good health is to ensure that your daily diet comprises at least one serving of yogurt. Yogurt contains probiotics that increase the concentration of good bacteria in your body while warding off the bad bacteria . Yogurt is also a great diet supplement when you are consuming antibiotics for UTI treatment as the antibiotics can create a shortage of good bacteria in your system.
8) Uva Ursi
- Dried uva ursi leaves
- Tea
- Soak dried uva ursi leaves in water overnight.
- Mix these leaves with tea leaves while brewing tea and drink it every day.
Uva ursi is a popular herb that possesses remarkable therapeutic as well as curative benefits that help treat UTI. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that treat and prevent UTI .
Caution -Ensure that you consult your doctor before consuming this as uva ursi does not suit everybody.
9) Vitamin C rich foods
Vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits, bell peppers, papayas, broccoli, etc.
Enjoy one serving of vitamin C-rich foods daily. Stick to one serving of citrus fruits every day until the infection clears. Citrus fruit is acidic. While some acidification of the urine can be beneficial, be aware that too much acid in your urine can increase the pain and cause a burning sensation during urination.
Vitamin C plays a huge role in helping treat urinary tract infections. Foods such as oranges, berries, leafy greens, and bell peppers help acidify the urine and inhibit the growth of bacteria in your urinary tract . You can also consume vitamin C supplements.
10) Green Tea
- 1 green tea bag (decaffeinated)
- A cup of hot water
A study conducted in 2013 observed the antimicrobial activity of the catechins EGC on E.coli bacteria responsible for UTI . This research proved that a daily cup of green tea could not only help fight UTI but also prevent its recurrence.
11 )Parsley/ coriander leaf Tea
- 2 bunches parsley
- 4 cups water
- Chop the parsley and mix it with the water.
- Let it brew for 15 minutes. Strain and enjoy the tea.Drink this tea twice a day every day until the infection clears.
12) Lemon Juice
- Juice of half a lemon
- A cup of warm water Mix the lemon juice in the water and drink this water on an empty stomach in the morning.Include drinking lemon water in your daily routine to keep infections at bay.
Note: Since lemon juice is acidic, rinse your mouth with plain water after you have your lemon drink and swallow.
13) Coconut Oil For Urinary Tract Infection
Virgin coconut oilConsume two to three tablespoons of coconut oil in a day. Repeat this until the UTI clears.
The medium chain fatty acids present in coconut oil have been widely studied by scientists and have been proven to have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiprotzoal properties . Consuming this oil on a daily basis can help kill the microbes causing the urinary tract infection.
14) Pineapple For UTI
1 cup pineapple or juiced pineappleConsuming one cup of cut pineapple every day can help treat and prevent urinary tract infection. You can also drink pineapple juice every day.
Eat at least one cup of pineapple every day until the infection clears.
If your doctor has prescribed antibiotics to treat your UTI, supplementing the drugs with a daily dose of pineapple can expedite the process of recovery. The enzyme bromelain in pineapple enhances the effect of the antibiotic treatment of urinary tract infections.
15) Water
- Water
- Unrefined sea salt
Water is the foundation of life, yet it is the most underrated remedy for a variety of health concerns, including UTI. It is possibly the simplest and the most effective remedy for a urinary tract infection. Drinking plain water is essential as it flushes out the UTI-causing bacteria from your system by stimulating urination .
16) Blueberry Juice
Blueberries (whole or juiced)- You can sprinkle blueberries on your morning cereal or enjoy them as a snack.
- You can also juice them without the need for added sweeteners.
Other fluids that help clear UTIs are tender coconut water, barley water, buttermilk and cucumber juice, as these are believed to be diuretics. Cabbage, carrot, curd, coconut, clove, ginger, garlic, onion, radish and turmeric slow the spread of infections.
Maintain good personal hygiene and avoid using public toilets. After a bowel movement, wash and wipe yourself from front to back to prevent spreading of bacteria.
Don't suppress the need to urinate. Use the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge. The longer the urine stays in the bladder, the higher the chances of an infection occurring.
THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES. PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG- https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/ FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG- https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/ FOR CROCHET DESIGNS https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com
Labels: Bacteria, blood in urine, burning, burning sensation, Cherries, cranberry juice, Garlic, inflammation, kidney infections, pain urinating, radish leaves juice, reduces, UTI, Vitamin C, well hydrated
posted by G S Iyer at 10:50 PM
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