Urinary Tract Infection Home Remedies

Before knowing the urinary tract infection home remedies, let us have a brief account of what is urinary tract infection, its causes, symptoms and treatment.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is caused by an invasion of bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) into the urinary tract. From the opening of the urethra the bacteria enter and move into the urinary tract. If the infection is in the lower urinary tract, the condition is called as cystitis and if the infection is in the urethra, the condition is known as urethritis. UTI is a combination of both these conditions. Holding back urine for too long is one of the main cause of UTI as the bladder gets stretched beyond its capacity and the muscles also weaken. Hence, the weakened bladder will have more difficulty in emptying itself which further leads to infections. It is observed that women are more susceptible to the UTI infection for two main reasons: they have a smaller urethra than men and their urethral opening is more close to the vagina where the bacteria usually reside. Being pregnant also increases the risk of the infection as the bladder is under lot of pressure by the uterus. In men, a bladder stone, an enlarged prostate or a sexually transmitted disease like gonorrhea are some possible causes for the UTI. Sexual intercourse, diabetes, menopause can be some other causes for urinary tract infection.

Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms
UTI is characterized by a strong and immediate need to urinate, followed by a slow and painful release of extremely less urine. It also shows signs of soreness in the lower abdomen, back or sides. Blood in urine, nausea, vomiting and fever are some common symptoms of urinary tract infection observed in both men and women.

Urinary Tract Infection Treatment
Urinary tract infection can be treated with oral antibiotics or antibacterial drugs. The type of drug and the treatment duration depends upon the patient's history and the urine tests that identify the harmful bacteria. Oral antibiotics include trimethoprim, cephalosporins, tetracycline or amoxicillin, nitrofurantoin can be given to the patient, but under the doctor's supervision. Intake of pain-relieving medication will also relieve the patient from pain and discomfort.

Home Remedy for Urinary Tract Infection
The best way to treat UTI is to keep the E coli out of the urinary tract. Here are some home cures for urinary tract infection:

• One of the best natural way to treat urinary tract infection is to drink lots of water. Drinking fluids will help you to urinate more often and flush out the bacteria. It is recommended to have 6 - 8 glasses of water per day.
• Daily intake of Vitamin C in the diet will increase the acidity content of the urine and prevent bacterial growth. If you are suffering from UTI, intake of 1000mg of Vitamin C everyday is quite effective in preventing the recurring infections.
• Cranberry juice is rich in Vitamin C and Quinolic acid, both of them are helpful in curing UTI by preventing the bacteria from anchoring onto the bladder walls. Drinking 12 to 24 oz of cranberry juice for few days can be highly effective.
• Echinacea is a herb that helps in fighting the UTI infection. Drinking Echinacea tea or consuming high-quality 300mg Echinacea capsules or tablets once per day can be extremely beneficial.
• Apple cider vinegar contains high concentration of enzymes and potassium which help in preventing the bacterial growth. Most of the UTI patients are found to be deficient in nutritious enzymes and potassium, hence, apple cider vinegar can be used as a natural antibiotic to flush out the infection.
• For the cure and prevention, it is strongly recommended to have foods rich in fiber content along with water. This will help in naturally flushing the impurities along with bacteria from the body.

Urinary tract infection, if not treated in time can be extremely painful. It may also spread to the kidney and cause severe health problems. Along with following these urinary tract infection home remedies, the patient should also avoid intake of food with high acid content like coffee, tea, pineapple, tomatoes, etc.