Urinary tract infections occur in the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra. Most commonly, it occurs due to bacterial growth. Generally, they are treated with antibiotics. Make sure you complete the whole course of antibiotics in the same frequency and dose as prescribed by your physician. If you do not do that, it may result in antibiotic resistance. Sometimes home remedies can also help in treating or preventing urinary tract infections.
In this article, we will tell you the tips that help prevent and aid in the treatment of urinary tract infections. If you have a complaint of recurrent urinary tract infections, you must visit a urologist in Karachi.
What are the Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections?
Urinary tract infections are much more common in women as compared to men. Therefore they need to take extra care. However, they can occur in both genders.
If you are prone to urinary tract infections, you should follow some home remedies as they can help in preventing urinary tract infections. Those tips are:
Plenty of water
If you have got a urinary tract infection, or you are prone to it, the first thing you should do is drink plenty of water. It is one of the easiest things to do.
When you drink plenty of water, your kidneys and bladder can help flush out toxins. Therefore you should make a goal of drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water in a day.
Drinking plenty of water can help dilute the urine that makes it harder for the bacteria to reach the cells that line the urinary tract.
Urinate When the Need Arises
Another tip to prevent a urinary tract infection is to urinate as soon as the need arises. When the urine remains there, in the urinary bladder for a long time, it can become a hub for bacterial growth.
When you urinate frequently, the bacteria do not remain for a long time over there. Otherwise, the longer you retain it in the bladder, the more chances are increased for the infection.
To prevent urinary tract infection, you should urinate as soon as the need arises. Do not hold it for too long.
Drink Cranberry Juice
A berry that can do wonders in preventing urinary tract infections is cranberry juice. Many healthcare providers, all over the world prescribe it to patients having a complaint of recurrent urinary tract infections.
It is still not confirmed yet how effective cranberry juice is for urinary tract infections. But it can surely help with it. Cranberries contain antioxidants that can help fight bacterial growth.
As such, there is no guideline on how much cranberry juice you should drink. But do that in moderation. According to a common recommendation, you can drink 400 ml of cranberry juice in a day.
Probiotics
Probiotics are bacteria that are healthy for your body. A group of bacteria known as lactobacilli can help keep your urinary tract healthy. They can work by:
- Preventing the attachment of bacteria to the urinary tract
- Produce hydrogen peroxide that has strong antibacterial effects
- Lowers the pH of urine that can make conditions less favorable for bacterial growth
Consuming lactobacilli can help lower the chances of antibiotic resistance in people who take probiotics and antibiotics together.
You can find probiotics in the following products:
- Yogurt
- Some sort of cheese
- Sauerkraut
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid has powerful antioxidant activities that can help keep your immune system strong. It can also lower the pH of urine that makes the environment unfavorable for bacterial growth.
The Bottom Line
For the treatment of urinary tract infections, you need to complete an antibiotic course. However, along with it, you must follow these home remedies as they help in preventing it. If you have a complaint of recurrent urinary tract infections, you should visit the best urologist in Islamabad.
