Urinary tract infection natural remedies you need to know

Urinary tract infection (UTI) or so-called urinary tract infection caused by bacteria that develop in the urethra. Urinary tract infections can occur in both men and women, but women are more susceptible to this infection.

Generally, diseases caused by bacterial infection should be treated with antibiotics. However, there are various natural ingredients that can be used as companion drugs for urinary tract infections. Anything?

Symptoms and causes of urinary tract infection

Before knowing various alternative treatments to treat this disease, it's a good idea to know what can cause urinary tract infections and what symptoms can appear.

There are several causes of urinary tract infections, including:

• Obstruction or obstruction of the urinary tract, such as kidney stones.
• It is difficult to pass all the urine in the bladder.
• Use of contraceptives such as diaphragms and condoms.
• Weak immune system due to disease or chemotherapy.
• In men, it can also be triggered by an enlarged prostate gland.

Like other diseases, urinary tract infection also has several symptoms. The following are symptoms to watch out for.

• Urine that is cloudy or even bloody.
• The discharge smells bad from the urine.
• The urge to urinate more than usual.
• The presence of cramps in the lower abdomen.
• Fever up to 38 degrees Celsius.
• There is a feeling of restlessness or confusion.

Natural remedy for urinary tract infections

Treating urinary tract infections can not only be done medically using medicine from a doctor, but it can also be done with several natural alternatives that you can find at home. Here are some of them.

1. Drink water

Drinking water regularly every day can be the first step to treating urinary tract infections. In fact, eight to ten glasses per day can help eliminate bacteria through your excreted urine.

The need for plain water in a day can vary from person to person. But if you have a disease such as kidney stones, it's a good idea to discuss with your doctor first how many glasses of water are safe to consume each day.

If you have a urinary tract infection, you are also advised to cut back on colored and caffeinated drinks such as coffee, tea, and soda. Caffeine can make urinary tract infections worse. Apart from caffeine, you should also avoid alcoholic beverages, sugary drinks, orange juice, lemon juice, lime and grapes.

2. Eating fruit with vitamin C

You are asked not to drink drinks such as oranges, but you can find vitamin C in green fruits or you can eat tomatoes, the fruit that is easiest to find.

Consumption of vitamin C will help lower the pH of urine, so that the chances of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections to survive will be smaller. According to the National Institutes of Health, on one day women should meet about 75 mg of vitamin C, while men need about 90 mg.

3. Asparagus

Apparently, asparagus can also be a natural remedy to help treat urinary tract infections. This was stated in a study published in African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2008.

Researchers reported that the active ingredients in asparagus have an antibacterial function that works against bacteria that cause urinary tract infections. Not only that, but asparagus can also help boost the immune system.

5. Berries, apples and peaches

These fruits contain d-mannose, which is a type of natural sugar. The human body is actually capable of producing this sugar on its own, but most of the d-mannose will be wasted through the urine. Therefore, additional d-mannose intake is needed from various foods that contain it.

From research conducted by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK, d-mannose was shown to be able to significantly prevent recurrence of UTIs compared to people who did not take medication at all.

In addition, d-mannose also helps multiply the proliferation of good bacteria in the body to fight the bad bacteria that cause infection. If you want to feel the benefits, you can get it from berries, apples, and peaches.

5. Cranberries

Cranberry is a natural remedy that is often used to help treat conditions related to urination problems, including urinary tract infections.

This fruit contains a phytronutrient antioxidant called Proanthocyanidins type-A. This content is believed to prevent E. coli bacteria from sticking to the lining of the bladder.

Attachment of bacteria to body tissues will make it easier for them to reproduce. By eating these cranberries, you will be helped to avoid this process.

Reporting from a study, cranberries can also inhibit the growth of the Proteus mirabilis bacteria which is commonly found in urinary tract infections. Not only can you eat the fruit, now you can find many supplements from cranberry extract that you can try.

6. Essential oil

Essential oils have long been recognized as a fairly effective alternative to reducing some symptoms of ailments. Its use may also be used as a natural remedy to treat urinary tract infections.

Oregano oil, for example, is believed to inhibit the growth of E. coli or other bacteria resistant to antibiotics.

Lavender oil is said to kill bacteria, fungi, and other sources of infection. Additionally, lavender oil is rich in antioxidants needed to fight inflammation in the body.

The way to use it is to put a sufficient amount of the oil of your choice into a container filled with hot water and inhale the steam.

Unfortunately, although it tends to be safe, the effectiveness of essential oils in treating urinary tract infections is still uncertain. Most doctors also have not recommended this treatment.

Another thing to help treat urinary tract infections

Although there are several natural remedies that have been shown to reduce symptoms of urinary tract infection, that does not mean you can rely entirely on the ingredients above.

The main treatment that can cure a UTI is still antibiotics, so it's good that the ingredients above are only used as a companion. You should also consult your doctor before using it.

Apart from medicinals with natural ingredients, there are also various habits that you can start if you want to speed up the recovery period.

1. Do not hold back urination

Never hold back urination, as doing so can cause bacteria to grow in your bladder.

In addition, you should urinate after sex with your partner, this is done to reduce the risk of bacteria getting deeper into the urethra.

2. Use a hot compress

Hot compress pillows can be found at health supply stores. Using a hot pillow can relieve soreness or pain in the bladder area.

The way to use it is not to apply it directly to the skin, use a cloth as a separator. Wear it for 15 minutes to avoid burning.

3. Wear comfortable clothes

Use clothes with materials that can make the skin breathe, such as cotton underwear, loose pants instead of jeans, loose clothes, this is necessary so that they don't feel damp so that the bacteria "land" is reduced.

4. Pay attention to the cleanliness of the bladder area

You must always pay attention to the hygiene and sanitation used. You should also not use spray or feminine cleansing soap. Rinse the genital area from front to back, then dry.

This is to avoid germs that move to the urinary tract. When taking a shower, it is better to use shower than soaking in bathtub . Use the soap fragrance-free .

5. Healthy lifestyle

Change your lifestyle such as food consumed, you should consume more fruits and vegetables. More often consume water than flavored drinks other than juices, or bottled drinks.

Do not smoke and always keep the clothes you are going to wear clean is very important.

If natural urinary tract infections don't work?

If natural remedies don't work, you can go back to see your doctor and get urinary tract infection medication. Natural remedies only help to reduce the severity of the infection, of course, natural remedies are always accompanied by medication from a doctor.

Your doctor may give you antibiotics. In addition, paracetamol can also be consumed to reduce fairy feeling or pain. Your doctor may also give you pain relievers such as acetaminophen or paracetamol and ibuprofen.

There are also other medications such as phenazopyridine (Pyridium) to reduce burning sensations and pain.