Home Remedies for UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)

The urinary tract infection is something very common among women, it is estimated that around 50% experience some throughout their lives.

Due to the length of the urethra, women are usually more likely to develop urinary tract infections compared to men, however, both can get it.

Urinary infections or cystitis can be accompanied by symptoms such as pain or burning when urinating, feeling of not urinating enough, blood in the urine, need to urinate urgently or frequently, among other discomforts.

What is a urinary tract infection?

It is an infection normally caused by bacteria, such as Escherichia Coli, that lodge in the urinary tract and can affect the kidneys, urethra, bladder, etc. It is usually treated with antibiotics and medications for pain and inflammation, depending on the diagnosis.

Remedy to treat urinary tract infections

There are several home remedies to treat these types of infections, however, it is always recommended to combine with the use of antibiotics. In general, home remedies can help prevent an infection from coming back.

Although when there is cystitis it is because the infection occurred, we can avoid it if we take the appropriate measures, that is, prevent it, or mitigate the symptoms of the disease.

• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, preferably natural water.
• Avoid holding back from going to the bathroom, if you need to go to the bathroom frequently, do so.
• Avoid drinking alcohol and other substances that can irritate the bladder, such as coffee, citrus juices, and sugary drinks.
• Consume blueberry juice regularly to prevent an infection from recurring.
• Try to eat a diet rich in fresh plant foods.

One of the popular remedies against urinary tract infections is to consume cranberry juice frequently during the day since in its composition there are principles that help prevent the fixation of bacteria in the urinary tract and thus prevent the development of infection and fight it.

Although it is a popular remedy and has even been shown in studies, we must take into account some aspects. First of all, it must be cranberry juice and not blue, in addition, it must be natural preferably, since the industrialized ones, are rich in sugars and often do not contain the adequate amount of cranberry among its ingredients, they are usually combined with other juices, such as apple or grape.

If, in addition, the recommended amount is not consumed to fight the infection, it is likely that we will not see positive effects.

Luckily, one of the main useful compounds in this juice has been identified to combat this type of infection, D-mannose. It is a type of sugar related to glucose, due to its structure, it is found in various fruits, such as blueberries, apples, peaches, etc. This substance has been used to treat cystitis effectively and is also considered free of side effects.

The advantage of consuming D-mannose instead of juice is that we should not take large amounts to obtain the therapeutic effect. It can even be consumed by diabetics, since although it is a type of sugar, D-mannose is not absorbed as quickly as glucose, so it does not affect blood glucose levels considerably, in addition, Much of the D-mannose we consume is filtered by the kidneys, where it exerts its beneficial properties against infections. Another advantage is that it does not alter the beneficial bacteria that exist in the urinary tract, unlike antibiotics that are not selective and also destroy beneficial bacteria.

Lastly, it does not cause resistance in bacteria, making it a safe treatment for those with cystitis.

We must bear in mind that by following these tips and natural remedies we will prevent it from appearing in the long run, but we always recommend visiting a specialist in case of having an infection.