Most people who develop urinary tract infections, or UTIs, recognize the symptoms quite easily. These include frequent urination, passing only a very small amount of urine each time, blood or cloudiness in the urine, and cramping, stinging, or burning upon urination. A UTI can quickly spread to the kidneys, so it is important to treat a UTI quickly.
Step 1
See your doctor for a urine culture as soon as you suspect that you might have a UTI. Take any antibiotics that he prescribes for you for the full amount of time that he prescribes them for. Stopping an antibiotic early can lead to a resistant strain that does not fully clear up.
Step 2
Ask your doctor about pain relief for your UTI. Uristat is available over the counter, and can be safely taken with most antibiotics and other medications. Be sure to mention any medicines that you are already on, in case you need a different pain relieving medication.
Step 3
Drink a lot of water to flush the bacteria from your bladder. Drink a cup of water three times per hour for three hours, so that your urine runs clear. If you are experiencing burning, mix a teaspoon of baking soda into the first cup of water to help neutralize the acidity of the urine.
Step 4
Avoid drinking or eating anything with caffeine, alcohol or citrus ingredients. These can aggravate your already tender bladder. Do not resume consuming these foods or beverages until the UTI is cleared up.
Step 5
Use heat on your lower abdomen to relieve pain and pressure. This can be in the form of a hot shower, heating pad or hot water bottle.
Tips and Warnings
- Uristat and other pain relievers made for urinary tract infections can cause your urine to turn blue or orange temporarily. This is not harmful. If you are not feeling better within two days of being on an antibiotic, call your doctor. A new prescription may be necessary.
Things You'll Need
- Antibiotic
- Pain reliever
- Water
- Heating pad or hot water bottle
