Urinary tract infections affect 1 in every 3
women. Women are more prone to UTI due to a shorter urethra and increased susceptibility to yeast
infections. Prescription antibiotics are becoming less and less effective in
treating urinary tract infections. These home remedies can help heal your UTI and keep it from coming back.
What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?
Urinary tract infections
are caused by many types of bacteria, most often E. Coli. They can also be caused by chronic yeast infection, chronic dehydration, diabetes,
contraceptives, allergic reaction to soaps and perfumes, and synthetic food
additives.
Symptoms of UTI
- Constant urge to urinate
- Pain and burning during urination
- Cloudy urine
- Lower back pain
- Low-grade fever
Why Prescription Antibiotics Might Not Be Effective in
Treating Urinary Tract Infections
The first time you had a
urinary tract infection, you may have gone to the doctor to get a prescription
antibiotic. Unfortunately, more and more infections are becoming resistant to
prescription antibiotic treatment. This is because many doctors prescribe
antibiotics for viral infections like cold and flu, which the drugs can’t
treat.
It also doesn’t help that
conventionally-raised beef, poultry, and fish often contain high doses of
antibiotics. Because of this, even simple ailments like common UTIs can become
life-threatening.
Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections
Thankfully, urinary tract
infections can be treated using home remedies.
- D-Mannose
This simple sugar is found
in cranberries, blueberries, apples, and birch trees. It has been shown to
reduce the pain, burning, and inflammation of UTI while flushing the body of E. coli bacteria.
Though it has no known negative side effects, it’s important to note that
couples trying to conceive should avoid its use as D-Mannose can bind to sperm
and flush them from your body.
- Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is one of the
most powerful natural antibiotics. Add a couple of drops of pure oregano oil to
a four-ounce glass of water and drink it through a straw. (This volatile oil
will burn your lips). Alternatively, you can take oregano oil in capsule form.
Take the oregano oil twice a day for three days, even if you notice symptom
relief.
- Cranberry Extract
Cranberry extract prevents
E. coli from binding to the bladder wall. It also helps flush the body of
harmful bacteria while reducing painful inflammation. Choose organic,
concentrated cranberry extract for best results. Cranberry juice can be
effective as well but only if it contains no added sugar.
- Probiotics
Adding a good-quality probiotic supplement to your diet can do wonders in preventing chronic UTI . Since many urinary tract infections are caused by
recurrent yeast infections and bacterial build-up, probiotics can help prevent
this excessive growth. Be sure to choose a probiotic supplement with at least 5
million CFUs (colony forming units) with no preservatives.
- Water
If you’re a soda or fruit
juice drinker, you’re much more likely to suffer from recurrent urinary tract
infections. Sugar feeds yeast and encourages bacteria to grow. Drink at least
6-8 glasses of pure, filtered water each day to flush out toxins and keep your
urinary system clean and healthy.
You can also prevent recurring urinary tract infections by eating less refined sugar and flour and dining more on whole and minimally-processed foods. A diet rich in organic vegetables, fruits, beans, seeds, legumes, meat, poultry, fish, and healthy fats (butter, coconut oil, avocado) will do wonders to heal your body from the inside out.
If symptoms persist, your doctor will run a urinalysis, with the addition of a culture and sensitivity. The culture will identify the problem bacteria and the sensitivity will tell the doctor which antibiotic will be effective in killing the bacteria since many have become antibiotic-resistant.
You can also prevent recurring urinary tract infections by eating less refined sugar and flour and dining more on whole and minimally-processed foods. A diet rich in organic vegetables, fruits, beans, seeds, legumes, meat, poultry, fish, and healthy fats (butter, coconut oil, avocado) will do wonders to heal your body from the inside out.
If symptoms persist, your doctor will run a urinalysis, with the addition of a culture and sensitivity. The culture will identify the problem bacteria and the sensitivity will tell the doctor which antibiotic will be effective in killing the bacteria since many have become antibiotic-resistant.
