A urinary tract infection can be extremely painful, causing symptoms such as frequent urge to urinate, burning upon urination, pelvic pain in women and rectal pain in men. Although any part of the urinary tract can become infected, most infections occur in the lower tract, which contains the bladder and urethra. The Mayo Clinic explains that urinary tract infections are more common among women than men. While medications are available to treat these infections, some people prefer to go the natural route. It's always wise to see a doctor, though.
Step 1
Drink more water. The website Mother Nature explains that increasing your fluid intake also increases urinary flow. Not only does this wash away any bacteria trying to stick to the lining of the urethra, it also flushes away any substances responsible for the infection. The site recommends drinking eight to 10 glasses a day.
Step 2
Mix baking soda with your water. Although this may sound unpleasant, Mother Nature suggests fixing yourself one of these cocktails as soon as the symptoms of a UTI present themselves. The site explains that the baking soda increases the pH of your sometimes acidic urine. This is not a medically proven remedy, however, and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.
Step 3
Keep the irritants away. Certain fluids can irritate the bladder. Avoid alcohol and beverages containing citrus or caffeine such as coffee, tea and soda. Eliminating them may also help the infection clear more quickly.
Step 4
Buy some cranberry juice. Cranberry juice may help prevent harmful bacteria from adhering to the cells lining the urinary tract. The Mayo Clinic adds that while drinking cranberry juice daily may help prevent UTIs, it appears to have the greatest effect on women who experience frequent infections. This being said, it has yet to be proven that this juice has infection-fighting abilities. It is also not clear how much is necessary for this juice to be effective. Mother Nature adds that the juice can be an irritant and suggests diluting it.
Things You'll Need
- Water
- Baking soda
- Cranberry juice
