Bladder infections (also called urinary tract infections) can affect both male and females, young and old. It can cause symptoms like burning, urgency in urination, pain and even leakage of urine. This condition can usually be treated at home and sometimes using a natural treatment works the best. Fortunately, there are many different natural treatments that you can use to fight off your bladder infection.
Drinking Water
One of the best natural treatments for a bladder infection is drinking plenty of water. According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking a large amount of water can help you naturally dilute your urine and flush out the bacteria. To get the best effects, the Mayo Clinic reports that you should avoid caffeine products such as coffee and soft drinks because the caffeine can irritate the bladder. By keeping your bladder flushed out, you can keep the infection from worsening and when combined with other natural treatments (such as taking vitamin C or cranberry juice), this may be enough to help you rid yourself of the infection.
Vitamin C
Taking a supplement of vitamin C is another beneficial way to treat a bladder infection.The website for the University of Michigan Health System reports that many physicians actually recommend taking 5,000 milligrams of vitamin C on a daily basis to their patients. Experts believe that vitamin C inhibits the growth of E. coli bacteria, which is the most common cause of urinary tract infections. Vitamin C may cause an increase in the acidity of urine, which creates an inhospitable environment for the bacteria. So, using vitamin C is an excellent natural alternative to taking potent medications for treating your bladder infection.
Cranberry
A cranberry supplement or cranberry juice is an excellent, natural treatment for a bladder infection. According to the University of Michigan Health System, new research has shown that cranberry helps prevent urinary tract infections. In fact, elderly women who drink ten ounces of cranberry juice every day had a reduction in the amount of bacteria that was found in their urine. In another study, residents of a nursing home drank four ounces of cranberry juice or took six capsules made of concentrated cranberry for thirteen months. The research found that the number of urinary tract infections decreased by 25%. Cranberry juice is believed to prevent E. coli bacteria from colonizing the urine. Therefore, using a cranberry supplement or simply drinking the juice every day may be enough to stop and effectively treat the infection. However, if the treatment is not working after a few days of treatment, you should see your physician for additional treatment.
