Most commonly seen as an infection of the bladder and urethra, Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) can occur anywhere in the urinary tract. The urinary tract is composed of the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureters. This system is responsible for processing and expelling urine from the body. The most common place of infection, however, remains the bladder where urine is stored and urethra, the tube through which you urinate.

Less common is the infection of the kidneys, which filter waste and extra waste from the body, but it is more serious.

‍Causes

‍∙      Kidney stones

∙      Bacteria from the bowels

∙      Sexual activity

∙      Poor personnel hygiene urinary catheter

∙      High sugar intake

‍Symptoms

‍∙      A persistent urge to urinate

∙      Burning or pain while urinating

∙      Foul-smelling urine

∙      Cloudy or dark urine

∙      Passing a frequent and small amount of urine UTI may be triggered by sexual activity, catheters, kidney stones, and decreased estrogen in the lining of the vagina or urine, which is stored in the bladder.

The most common cause of UTIs is the transfer of bacteria from the rectum or vagina to the urethra. The typical symptoms of UTI include a burning feeling while urinating, increased frequency of urination, a sense of urgency to urinate, blood in the urine, and sometimes, fever.

While over 60 percent of women will experience a UTI, men, and children can also be affected. As women have shorter urethras, they are more susceptible to urinary tract infections than men. If left untreated it can develop into a more serious infection of the kidneys. UTI may also become a chronic problem if bacteria from a previous infection may remain hidden in the folds of the bladder wall and may lead to future infections. Uncomplicated urinary tract infection is usually treated with a course of antibiotics. In addition to this, there are certain home remedies as well that can help you beat UTI.

1. Stay Hydrated

This works like a thumb rule in the case of UTI. Drinking water can help flush away the bacteria that’s causes the infection. Plenty of fluids will also flush out toxins.

2. Feel better with Vitamin C‍

The higher the Vitamin C, the healthier the bladder is. A healthy bladder will acidify urine, which inhibits the development of harmful bacteria. You can go for foods such as Bell peppers, Amla, Lemon juice, grapefruit, and oranges. However, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Healthy Library, avoid citrus or other acidic foods if you have an active UTI because these foods are known to irritate the bladder.

3. Fight it with Vaginal Estrogens

It works especially for Postmenopausal women. Studies have found that the hormone helps trigger the production of the body’s natural antimicrobial proteins in the bladder. It also strengthens urinary tract tissue by tightening the surface layer of the bladder cells, which protects the underlying cells from infection.

4. Push it out with Probiotics

Probiotic strains of Lactobacillus are safe and effective in preventing UTI in adult women. For probiotics, you can include pickles, yogurt, and kefir in your diet. It helps reduce the harmful bacteria in the urinary tract and digestive system. Avoid sweetened yogurts because they have added sugars. Instead, go for home curd.

5. Keep making bathroom runs

Go ahead and empty your bladder as frequently as you can because every time you empty your bladder, you flush out bacteria. This controls the bacteria’s multiplying effect.

6. Add garlic in a diet

According to researchers at the Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences, even the crude extracts of garlic showed good activity against multi drug-resistant strains where antibiotic therapy had limited or no effect. Garlic is believed to contain powerful bacteria-killing compounds that make ideal for beating the bacteria that cause UTIs.

7. Drink unsweetened cranberry juice

Cranberry juice has long been used as a home remedy for UTIs. It is believed that the ‘proanthocyanidins’ in cranberries may help prevent bladder infections by keeping the bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. Make sure that you use only unsweetened cranberry juice because the sugar in the sweetened one can actually feed a bacterial infection.

8. Pop some Phalsa  

Well known for its diverse medicinal uses, phalsa is rich in anti-oxidants and antimicrobial properties and thus, helps in curing UTIs. Phalsa Sharbat is a good way to relish this summer delight or enjoy a small bowl of it with a sprinkle of pink salt.

9. Just beat it with Jamun

Popularly known as the superfruit for diabetic patients, Jamun is also an ideal fruit for those who have digestive issues. It helps to prevent urinary infections too.

10. O yes! Omega 3

Omega 3 fatty acids help to reduce the inflammation, which is a known symptom of UTIs. Besides cold-water fatty fish, you can get Omega 3 in foods such as flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts.

Cheers,

Lovneet