By: Annie Morgan
When bacteria gets into the bladder – it wreaks all kinds of havoc in the body.
And once bacteria in the urine travels up to the bladder, a painful urinary tract infection (UTI) may occur.
Many people suffer from UTIs without actually realizing they have an infection.
In fact, according to the Urology Care Foundation, more than 8.1 million people every single year visit health care officials hoping to find relief from this painful infection.
And yes ladies, UTIs affect us more – as 60% of us will experience this awful infection (compared to only 12% of men), reports the Urology Care Foundation.
Dealing with a UTI is miserable – with the constant need to urinate but not able to go. Or the sharp pelvic pain that makes us want to pass out.
And if you think UTIs are no big deal – if the bacteria spreads to your kidneys you are in even more trouble if the infection moves to your bloodstream – you can die.
One of the best ways to treat a UTI is to prevent it in the first place!
So if you’re looking for ways to both prevent and help treat a nasty and painful UTI – check out our helpful tips.
Fluids. Fluids. Fluids.
One of the main ways to prevent a UTI is to keep your water uptake at proper levels each day.
In fact, research now shows that simply increasing your water intake by just two 16oz glasses per day, decreases your chance of developing a UTI.
Healthline reported:
“Premenopausal women with low fluid intake and recurrent urinary tract infections can halve the frequency of these infections by drinking an additional 2 cups (16 oz.) of water with each meal,” said Dr. Renée M. Ward, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee.”
Since UTIs are caused by bacteria, the more fluids you drink the better you are able to keep waste and bacteria moving out of your body.
And if you do develop a UTI – it is critical to keep your body hydrated!
Ideally, you should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. The key is to drink half of your body weight in ounces, every single day.
And if you have the need to urinate – go! Do not hold it in.
Cranberry
No, we’re not talking about the sugar “cranberry” stuff they sell in most stores that they throw a label on and call it “juice.”
We’re talking legit unsweetened cranberry juice – without all the sugar and preservatives.
Research shows cranberry juice can actually lower UTIs in women who are known to have recently had an infection.
National Institutes of Health reported:
The consumption of a cranberry juice beverage lowered the number of clinical UTI episodes in women with a recent history of UTI.
Taking it one step further, some health experts recommend skipping juice altogether and taking cranberry capsules.
Medical News Today reported:
“For a UTI to occur, bacteria must adhere to and invade the lining of the bladder. Cranberries contain A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs), which interfere with the bacteria’s ability to the bladder wall, reducing the likelihood of infection.”
Many women who suffer with reoccurring UTIs choose to take a cranberry supplement daily.
Antibiotics
Try treating your UTI by natural means first – but if you are unsuccessful after a few days – then you might need to get a 3- or 4-day dose of antibiotics.
Because of the danger that could occur should your UTI travel to your kidneys – UTIs are really nothing to mess with.
But again, often the body can resolve these infections and heal on its own without antibiotics – so you should only use this option as a last resort.
Do you suffer from reoccurring urinary tract infections?
What are some ways you’ve helped ease the discomfort?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below and be sure to share this article with your friends and family to let them know how to treat and prevent a urinary tract infection!
