Treating UTIs: Antibiotics, Medication, and Home Remedies

UTI comprises the problem in the parts of the urinary system – kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The main reason for UTI is the imbalance in vaginal bacteria and other external causes such as dehydration and chemicals used for douching.

In this post, let us talk about various UTI treatments, medication, and home remedies to gain relief from UTI.

UTI Condition and Treatments

A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) occurs in almost every woman at some stage of her life. In general, it goes away on its own. The main bacteria responsible for UTI is E.coli.

UTI symptoms range from itching in the vaginal and urinary tract, excessive discharge than normal, along with a foul smell. Women with UTI also find an urge to urinate more often and experience a burning sensation while urinating. In severe cases of infection, fever, vomiting, pelvic pain, and nausea are also noticed.

Doctors suggest antibiotics to treat UTI. One has to use them for full-term prescribed to make sure the infection is completely treated.

Home Remedies for UTI

UTI is often recurrent in many women. If the condition is persistent, try incorporating the following home remedies for UTI in your daily routine.

Remedy #1: Check your diet

From the diet point of view, there are some reasons for the occurrence of BV: dehydration, excessive sugar, inadequate vitamin C, and lack of probiotics.

Dehydration can irritate your vaginal part and make it prone to infection at large. Similarly, a diet lacking in probiotics can cause an imbalance in vaginal bacterial culture. A sugar-rich diet is also another reason for BV.

Ensure that your diet is rich in probiotics such as yogurt, homemade pickles, and fermented foods. Likewise, remember to consume adequate water to keep yourself hydrated well. Cut down on added sugar to heal the vaginal area and replenish the healthy bacteria.

Another expert piece of advice is to increase vitamin C in the diet. It increases the acidic amount in the urine that kills harmful bacteria and promotes healthy ones.

Remedy #2: Try OTC Boric Acid Treatment

Boric acid is a tried and trusted UTI treatment. It is available OTC as capsules. You can safely use vaginal capsules for BV to gain relief from persistent infection, provided the dosage does not exceed 600 mg per day. It is also not a go-to treatment for BV.

Instead, it is only a home remedy. In case of any irritation with BV treatment at home, please discontinue it immediately and seek your doctor’s advice. Pregnant women should never use boric acid. Boric acid can be poisonous if consumed orally.

Remedy #3: Keep the part clean

Unhealthy bacteria flourish in wet and unventilated parts. Keep the vaginal part clean and ventilated by wearing cotton panties to absorb the sweat and natural discharge and allow airflow. Avoid synthetic underwear that can encourage unhealthy bacteria by preventing airflow and trap sweat.

Refrain from too much douching. Otherwise, it can kill the healthy bacteria that protect the vaginal part. Simply clean the part with plain water after passing stools or urinating. If you are concerned about vaginal health, use vaginal washes in limited amounts. In general, normally clean and plain water would suffice for cleaning the vaginal part.

Remedy #4: Replace tampons and soaps

Tampons and menstrual cups increase unhealthy bacteria. If you use tampons and experience persistent BV, keep changing the tampons and menstrual cups often while using them. For better relief, switch to sanitary pads and replace them regularly.

Another main culprit for BV can be the chemicals in the soaps and shampoos. Avoid too using chemical soaps to clean the vaginal part. Similarly, the shampoo water might irritate the area.

Replace the chemical-laden soaps with gentle ones for your bubble bath to find relief from BV.

Remedy #5: Urinate often

Holding on to urine can for longer encourage harmful bacteria. Pass urine when you feel the urge and clean the part with water after doing so. Similarly, urinate after having sex and wash the area with plain water.

Conclusion

For UTI, prevention is often better than cure. Incorporate these tips in daily routine to prevent and to find relief from UTI. In cases of persistent UTI, consult your doctor to diagnose the actual reason behind the same.