Home Remedies For UTIs: The 6 Best Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Home Remedies For UTIs: A few home remedies may help ward off UTIs. These can include staying hydrated and trying various supplements, such as cranberry supplements or probiotics.
A quick look at the best home remedies for UTIs
More fluids
Vitamin C
Cranberry juice and cranberry supplements
Probiotics
Healthy hygiene
Consuming garlic and garlic supplements
D-mannose
Home Remedies For UTIs: What is a UTI?
Home Remedies For UTIs, Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common. A 2022 analysis found that more than 404.6 million people had UTIs worldwide in 2019.
UTIs happen when bacteria from the skin or rectum enter the urethra. You can get an infection along any part of the urinary tract, but bladder infections are the most common.
Home Remedies For UTIs, Though UTIs can affect anyone, people assigned female at birth are more prone to them. That’s because the female urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the bladder, is shorter than the male urethra.
The shorter distance makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. The proximity of the urethra to the vagina and rectum, which are sources of bacteria, also plays a role.
Other Risk Factors For UTIs Include:
History of UTIs
Sexual activity
Poor hygiene
Age, with children and older adults more prone to UTIs
Pregnancy
Changes to vaginal bacteria, which spermicides and menopause can cause
Structural problems in the urinary tract, such as an enlarged prostate
Having a catheter in place
Some medical conditions, such as diabetes
UTI symptoms
Common UTI symptoms include:
A burning sensation when peeing
Frequent urination
Cloudy or dark urine
Urine with a strong odor
A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
Pelvic pain
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Home Remedies For UTIs, Bacteria cause almost 95% of UTIs, but fungi can also cause infection.
Though antibiotics typically treat UTIs, several natural ways exist to help manage infections and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Home Remedies For UTIs, This article reviews six home remedies you can use to treat UTIs.
1. Drink Plenty Of Fluids
Home Remedies For UTIs, Dehydration is linked to an increased risk of UTIs.
Regular urination can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract to prevent infection. When dehydrated, you aren’t urinating as often, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria.
Home Remedies For UTIs, A 2019 study examined nursing home residents and administered a drinking schedule to participants to increase their fluid intake. Following the hydration schedule, UTIs requiring antibiotics decreased by 58%.
In a 2020 randomized control trial, 140 premenopausal participants prone to UTIs took part in a 12-month study to test if a higher fluid intake would decrease their risk of recurrent cystitis and, in turn, their risk of developing a UTI. Researchers found that an increase in fluid intake led to a decrease in UTI frequency.
Home Remedies For UTIs, To stay hydrated and meet your fluid needs, it’s best to drink water throughout the day and always when you’re thirsty.
BENEFITS OF DRINKING MORE FLUIDS FOR UTI
Home Remedies For UTIs, Drinking plenty of liquids can decrease your risk of UTIs by making you pee more, which helps remove bacteria from your urinary tract.
2. Increase Vitamin C Intake
Home Remedies For UTIs, Some evidence suggests that increasing your vitamin C intake could protect against UTIs.
Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of urine, killing off the bacteria that cause infection.
Home Remedies For UTIs, A small 2020 randomized placebo study involving 19 people who had undergone a kidney transplant found that the amount of bacteria in urine was significantly lower in people who received the intravenous vitamin C group than the placebo group.
A 2016 study with 42 participants showed that combining vitamin C with two other popular natural UTI remedies — cranberries and the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus — could effectively treat recurrent UTIs.
Home Remedies For UTIs, Despite these studies, more research is needed to prove vitamin C’s effectiveness in reducing UTI risk. Plus, there are conflicting views on whether vitamin C can really change the acidity of your urine enough to kill off bacteria.
If you need help getting enough vitamin C, you can try products like:
Vitamin C gummies
Sprays
Oral tablets
Home Remedies For UTIs, However, it’s still recommended to eat foods rich in vitamin C. Fruits and vegetables are especially high in vitamin C and are a good way to increase your intake. Red peppers, oranges, grapefruit, and kiwifruit all contain the full recommended daily amount of vitamin C in just one serving.
Finally, keep in mind that if you’re already meeting your vitamin C needs through diet alone, it’s unclear whether taking additional vitamin C through supplements is beneficial.
BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C FOR UTI
Home Remedies For UTIs, Increasing vitamin C intake may decrease your risk of UTIs by making your urine more acidic, thus killing infection-causing bacteria.
3. Use Cranberry Juice Or Cranberry Supplements
Home Remedies For UTIs, Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice is one of the most well-known natural remedies for UTIs. If drinking unsweetened cranberry juice isn’t your thing, you can take it in capsule form.
Some experts believe cranberries have properties that might prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, which helps with UTI prevention.
Home Remedies For UTIs, In a study published in 2022, participants with a history of recurring uncomplicated UTIs reported a reduction in infections after taking a cranberry supplement for 6 months prior.
Additionally, a 2021 review of 23 studies found that cranberry supplements (including juices, tablets, and capsules) significantly reduced the likelihood of UTIs.
Home Remedies For UTIs, However, researchers noted there were several limitations of the studies reviewed. They recommend larger, higher-quality studies to confirm the potential role of cranberry supplements in preventing UTIs.
Also, remember that while some research supports the use of cranberry supplements in the prevention of UTIs, whether they actually work as a treatment for an active UTI is less cut and dry.
Home Remedies For UTIs, Finally, it’s worth noting any possible benefits of this home remedy only apply to unsweetened cranberry juice (or cranberry capsules) rather than sweetened juice varieties. Cranberry juice with added sugars won’t help treat an active UTI.
BENEFITS OF CRANBERRIES FOR UTI
Home Remedies For UTIs, Some studies suggest that cranberries could help reduce your risk of UTIs by preventing bacteria from adhering to your urinary tract.
4. Take Probiotics
Home Remedies For UTIs, Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that are consumed through food or supplements. They can promote a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut.
Probiotics are available in supplement form or can be found in fermented foods, such as:
kefir
kimchi
kombucha
probiotic yogurt
Home Remedies For UTIs, Consuming probiotics has been linked to many things, from improved digestive health to enhanced immune function.
Some studies have shown that certain probiotics may reduce the risk of UTIs. These studies have involved the use of oral and vaginally administered probiotics as well as different probiotic strains.
Home Remedies For UTIs, Antibiotics, the main line of defense against UTIs, can cause disturbances in levels of gut bacteria. Probiotics may be beneficial in restoring gut bacteria after antibiotic treatment.
Studies have shown that probiotics can increase levels of good gut bacteria and reduce side effects associated with antibiotic use.
Home Remedies For UTIs, Still, keep in mind that probiotics may not be appropriate for everyone. You can speak talk with a healthcare professional about whether probiotics are right for you and which strains to take.
BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS FOR UTI
Home Remedies For UTIs, Probiotics could help prevent UTIs and are beneficial for restoring gut bacteria after antibiotic treatment.
5. Practice Healthy Hygiene Habits
Home Remedies For UTIs, Preventing UTIs starts with practicing a few good bathroom and hygiene habits.
First, it’s important not to hold your urine for too long. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria, resulting in infection.
Home Remedies For UTIs, Peeing after sex has long been linked to a reduced risk of UTIs by preventing the spread of bacteria and is recommended by health authorities, including Planned Parenthood.
Additionally, those who are prone to UTIs should avoid using spermicide, as it has been linked to an increase in UTIs.
Home Remedies For UTIs, Finally, when using the toilet — especially if you have a female urethra — make sure you wipe front to back. Wiping from back to front can cause bacteria to spread to the urinary tract and is associated with an increased risk of UTIs.
One way to stop or prevent any bacteria from spreading amongst genitalia is by using Always Feminine Wipes.
BENEFITS OF HEALTHY HYGIENE FOR UTI
Home Remedies For UTIs, Urinating frequently and after sexual intercourse can reduce the risk of UTI. Careful wiping when you use the toilet may also help decrease the risk of UTI.
6. Supplement With Garlic
Home Remedies For UTIs, Research shows garlic and garlic extract to have antimicrobial properties, so they may be able to block the growth of bacteria to prevent UTIs.
While not many studies have specialized in the effects of garlic in treating UTIs, one older 2014 study found that the combination of garlic oil and parsley in pills could synergistically affect bacterial growth and proliferation.
Home Remedies For UTIs, A 2022 study found that rats with an induced UTI caused by E. coli bacteria significantly improved their infection when given garlic.
While cooking garlic alters its properties and may decrease its health benefits, most people can safely consume raw garlic as part of a healthy diet. However, people with GERD, people who take blood thinners, and those with an irritable digestive tract might want to avoid eating garlic in its uncooked form.
Home Remedies For UTIs, If you don’t like or can’t eat raw garlic but are interested in seeing if it could help ward off your next UTI, you might consider a garlic supplement.
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