According to Epigee.com, urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect more than 10 million men and women each year, typically affecting women more often than men. It is an infection of the bladder that begins in the urethra and works its way up. In many cases, and if caught early enough, a UTI is easily treated and can be done so at home with a few natural remedies.
Step 1
Flush your system with water. MotherNature.com states that you need to drink one full glass of water every hour for eight hours. This increases the amount of urine you produce; the more you urinate, the quicker you rid your body of the bacteria causing the infection.
Step 2
Drink natural cranberry juice. Epigee.com states that cranberries are believed to be one of the best home treatments for UTIs. Not only does it destroy the bacteria responsible for the infection, it also contains vitamin C which helps increase and balance the acidity of your urine. This makes it difficult for bacteria to live and grow in your bladder. All-natural is the best option, as it does not contain any additives or preservatives.
Step 3
Watch how you wipe. Epigee.com states that 85 percent of all UTIs are caused by E. coli, a bacteria found in your colon and rectum. Wiping from back to front helps the bacteria move into the urethra and bladder, helping the UTI develop. Changing the way you wipe can make all the difference in treating your infection.
Step 4
Drink a mixture of baking soda and water. Mix a half a teaspoon of baking soda into an eight-ounce glass of water. Drinking this mixture as soon as your symptoms begin help balance the acid in your urine, making it difficult for bacteria to survive in the cells that line your urethra.
Step 5
Practice good personal hygiene. To ensure bacteria has no chance of entering your urethra or making a home in your bladder, practice good personal hygiene. This means washing yourself everyday, preferably in a shower rather than a bubble bath. You should also wash after each moment of intimacy, as intercourse is an easy way to transmit bacteria back and forth between partners.
Step 6
Apply castor oil to your abdomen. Castor oil helps relieve any inflammation caused by the urinary tract infection, thus relieving any discomfort you may feel as a result of the infection. Simply apply a bit of oil to the surface of your skin and then cover the area with warm wash cloth, heating pad or water bottle for a period of 30 to 60 minutes.
