A urinary tract infection (UTI) is any kind of bacterial infection that may affect the bladder, kidneys, ureters or urethra. The urine passes through all theses parts before its elimination from the body and is generally sterile and devoid of any harmful microorganisms such as bacteria. What causes an infection is when tiny organisms, mostly bacteria that could be present in ones digestive tract, latch on to the openings of the urethra (tube that transports urine from the bladder to outside the body), and begin multiplying. Very often these bacteria can reach up to the bladder and multiply, causing a bladder infection. If not treated properly, this kind of an infection could travel up to the ureters and mulitiply there leading to a kidney infection.
One of the common symptoms of a UTI may be the constant need to urinate, a burning sensation near the bladder or the urethra while passing urine or a milky or reddish color to the urine. These are a few home remedies that you can try to get rid of the UTI; Take a glass of water to which you will need to add 1 teaspoon of baking soda, mix and drink the solution. The baking soda will help in neutralizing the acidity present in the urine. Drink around 2-3 glasses of cranberry juice. What it mainly does is prevent the bacteria from latching onto your bladder, and acts as a subtle antibiotic keeping your bladder bacteria-free. Blueberries and pineapples are also effective on account of their anti-bacterial nature. Drink a lot of water, at least 6-8 glasses per day. This will help the body in flushing out the bacteria from your system. Food that is rich in Vitamin C would be good for you too. This is because it creates an acidic environment in the bladder, making it difficult for the bacteria to sustain its self. Stick to a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, as they will maintain alkaline levels in the urine.
If you have the urge to urinate, don’t prolong it as it weakens the bladder. A weak bladder does not flush out urine totally; the urine left behind can increase the infection. Stay away from alcohol, carbonated drinks, caffeine, cigarettes and all kinds of spicy food as they will worsen the condition by simply irritating the bladder further. If the symptoms do not go away in 3-4 days and you still experience discomfort while passing urine, consult your physician.