Urinary infections are often referred to as urinary tract infections, or UTIs, and affect millions of people each year. Though women are the primary sufferers, both sexes can experience them. A visit to the doctor is in order if you have an infection, but you may be able to prevent its onset by using a home remedy like apple cider vinegar.
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary infections occur when bacteria enters the urinary tract and stays rather than passing through. These bacteria then grow and spread, causing numerous unpleasant symptoms, like increased urinary urgency and frequency, cloudy and bad-smelling urine, painful and burning urination and more, according to WomensHealth.gov.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a common substance touted for its healing properties. Though there is a lack of evidence indicating such, it may very well aid in the prevention of urinary infections, according to Dr. Earl Mindell, author of "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar." Since the bladder tends to be more alkaline when an infection starts, drinking vinegar can maintain an acidic environment and stave off bacteria.
Effective Prevention Method
If you get urinary infections often, it may be a good idea to include apple cider vinegar into your preventative routine. Discuss with your doctor the possibility of drinking apple cider vinegar diluted in water, along with other prevention tactics like drinking eight glasses of water a day, wiping from front to back after urination or a bowel movement, drinking cranberry juice and voiding as soon as you feel the urge, as suggested by WomensHealth.gov.
Considerations
You should never try to treat a urinary infection with apple cider vinegar. In fact, doing so would just irritate the bladder more and worsen your symptoms. Instead, see a doctor immediately for an antibiotics prescription -- this is the only way to treat the infection. A urinary infection can spread to the kidneys and cause sepsis if left untreated, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.
References
- WomensHealth.gov: Urinary Tract Infection; May 2008
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Urinary Tract Infections in Adults
- "Dr. Earl Mindell's Amazing Apple Cider Vinegar"; Dr. Earl Mindell, R. Ph.; 2002
