Top 7 Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when bacteria enter the urinary system leading to uncomfortable symptoms including urination urgency, painful urination, lower abdominal pain, and maybe fever and chills. Combining medical treatment and home remedies can ease the pain and improve the symptoms. Here are the top 7 home remedies for UTI.

7. Drink Water

Water detoxifies your body including your urinary bladder, which leads to flushing out the bacteria out of your urinary system and making your urine slightly acidic again. Drink 8 to 12 glasses daily and lower your caffeine intake including coffee, tea, and soda for the best results. (1, 2)

6. Urinate Frequently

When you urinate frequently, you will flush the bacteria out of your urinary tract. Don’t hold it. Once you feel that you want to urinate, go to the bathroom. It is also recommended to urinate after having sex to get the bacteria pushed deeper into your urinary tract out of it. (3, 4)

5. Antibiotics

Antibiotics have the ability to eliminate the bacteria causing the urinary tract infection. If you have UTI, it is necessary to have a culture and determine the type of bacteria in order to take the most appropriate antibiotic for your infection. (5, 6, 7)

4. Pain Killers

Severe urinary bladder infections are associated with severe pain in the lower abdominal and pelvic regions, especially with urination. Ask your doctor if you can take a pain killer such as ibuprofen to ease the pain while treating your UTI. (8, 9) 

3. Heating Pads

During urinary tract infection, you will have a dull pain in the lower abdominal, pelvic, and mid-back regions. Applying heating pads can soothe this pain. You should follow all the instructions on the package of the pads to avoid causing any damages or burns. (10, 11)

2. Wear Appropriate Clothes

It is recommended to wear cotton underwear and loose pants in order to prevent the bacteria from growing. Tight clothes provide the bacteria with a warm and moist environment enhancing their growth, especially in women. (12, 13)

1. Cranberry Juice

Cranberry is one of the most common natural treatments used for preventing urinary tract infections. Studies are promising and show that it is effective in treating women with frequent UTIs. Discuss it with your doctor and see if you can take it for your condition or not. (14, 15, 16)