URINARY TRACT INFECTION
WHAT IS IT?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) can occur in any part of the urinary tract including the kidneys, urethras, bladder or urethra. These are the structures that urine passes through before being eliminated from the body. It is mostly caused by bacteria; however, fungi or viruses can also cause UTIs.
Urinary tract infection is second only to respiratory infection as the most common type of infection. These infections are much more common in girls and women than in boys and men younger than 50 years of age. The reason for this is not well understood, but anatomic differences between the genders (a shorter urethra in women) might be partially responsible.
If your UTI goes on for more than a few days or gets worse, it is important to see your doctor. The majority of urinary tract infections start in the bladder and urethra, which are the lower portions of the urinary system. Untreated infections may spread to the kidneys and cause serious damage.
WHAT CAUSES URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS
Urine is normally sterile. An infection occurs when bacteria get into the urine and begin to grow. The infection usually starts at the opening of the urethra where the urine leaves the body and moves upward into the urinary tract.
- The culprit in at least 90% of UTIs is caused by a type of bacteria called Escherichia coli, better known as E. coli. These bacteria normally live in the colon and around the anus.
- These bacteria can move from the area around the anus to the opening of the urethra. The two most common causes of this are improper cleaning after the bathroom use and sexual intercourse.
- Urinating usually flushes the bacteria out of the urethra; however, if there are too many bacteria, urinating may not stop their spread.
- The bacteria can travel up the urethra to the bladder, where they can grow and cause an infection; this infection can spread further as the bacteria move up via the ureters.
- If they reach the kidney, they can cause a kidney (pyelonephritis), which can become a very serious condition. Therefore, UTI is not a condition to be taken lightly.
- UTI happens when bacteria make its way up the urethra. This can happen in any number of ways—holding in urine for extended periods of time, having a catheter, and women not peeing after intercourse increases the risk.
NATURAL TREATMENT
- Drink plenty of water.
- Urinate as soon as you feel the urge.
- Drink Baking Soda: Baking soda is an alkaline substance, the opposite of acidic-which means it can help neutralize or lessen the acidity of your urine. If you find yourself resisting the urge to urinate because of a burning sensation, baking soda can help ease the discomfort.
You will need…
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 8 ounces of fresh water
Directions
- Stir the baking soda into the water until it dissolves, and then drink the whole glass.
- Do this first thing in the morning.
- Don’t do this for more than a week, or if you are trying to avoid salt, since baking soda is high in sodium.
- Drink Parsley Water
Parsley water can help relieve a urinary tract infection and speed up the healing process by acting as a diuretic. Diuretics are used to treat a number of problems and work by increasing the amount of sodium your kidneys excrete in urine. When they excrete sodium, they take water along with it and the amount of fluid in your blood goes down. (Less fluid means less pressure on the arteries, this is why it’s used to treat high blood pressure.) In the case of UTI’s we just want to encourage an increased amount of urine to keep flushing out bacteria and relieving discomfort.
You will need…
- Roughly 1 cup of fresh parsley OR 2 tablespoons of dried parsley
- 1-2 cups of water
Directions
- Bring water to a boil and add the parsley if you are using fresh, which is preferable.
- Reduce the heat so it simmers steadily.
- Let the leaves infuse like this for 6-10 minutes.
- Strain the leaves out and drink the water while warm.
- If you prefer to drink it cold, pop it in the fridge for refreshing parsley iced tea.
- If you use dried parsley, simply place it in a cup of boiling water, cover and steep for 8 minutes before straining and drinking.
- Snack on cucumbers.
- Chew a handful of celery seeds right after a meal, once or twice daily.
- Drink ginger tea, 2 to 3 times daily (or even more, if you like. Add some lemon for added benefits).
- Load up on Vitamin C. Vitamin C makes your urine more acidic, which fights bacteria in your urinary tract. If you have an active UTI, taking vitamin C supplements may help.
- Replace bad bacteria with good bacteria. Yogurt is an excellent source of probiotics. You can find yogurt with live active cultures that can do the job or take probiotic supplements.
- Soothe the pain with heat. The inflammation and irritation from UTIs cause burning, pressure and pain around the pubic area. Applying a heating pad or hot water bottle can help soothe the area. Keep the heat setting low and limit it to 15 minutes.
- Eliminate irritants from your diet. Things like caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, nicotine, carbonated drinks and artificial sweeteners can irritate your bladder further and make it hard for your body to heal. Focus on healthy foods instead, such as high-fiber foods and healthy fats like olive oil which are good for your digestive health.
- Wear casual, relaxed, and flowy clothing that lets your skin breathe. This can help keep the bacteria in your urinary tract at bay since moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria, in the bladder and elsewhere. Cotton underwear and loose pants or skirts promote air circulation and reduce the chances of bacterial growth. Tight jeans and other snug-fitting pants can trap moisture in your most delicate areas.
- Empty your bladder after taking a bath and sexual intercourse.
- Women should consider sanitary pads for their menstrual cycle, avoiding tampons. Choose your pads wisely. Get cotton pads if available, or try to make your own at home.
- Dry your private parts thoroughly after shower or bath. Change into dry clothes as soon as possible after swimming.
- Avoid washing your genital area with fragrant soaps and other lotions.Also avoid using deodorants as they destroy your body’s natural protective barrier and make you prone to infection.
- Move your body, exercise daily at least for 30-40 minutes.Being physically active will boost your immunity and you will be lesser prone to any kind of infection.
HERBAL REMEDIES
There are some time-tested herbal remedies to fight UTIs. These herbal remedies are most effective when UTI is in its initial stages.
- Urva Ursi / Bearberry
Uva ursi is one of the best natural alternative for treatment of urinary tract infections. As a popular home remedy, Uva ursi was traditionally used for treatment of bladder and kidney infections, and kidney stones. It contains active ingredients, such as hydroquinone and arbutin, which provide antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and diuretic properties useful for treating urinary tract infections. As with all herbs, consult your physician before using uva ursi.
It can be taken as follows:
- Take dried herb capsules or tablets. Buy capsules that contain 400 to 800 milligrams of the active ingredient arbutin, which has the strongest level of antibacterial properties. Take the capsules two to three times a day for no more than five days to treat the infection.
- Drink uva ursi tincture. Mix 10 to 20 drops of tincture in water and drink three to four times a day.
- Hot tea: Use dried leaves to make a hot tea.
- Boil 5 ounces of water.
- Place 3 grams of uva ursi leaves in a tea infuser, then place the infuser inside a mug.
- Pour the hot water over the infuser and steep for 15 minutes.
- Drink this tea three to four times a day for no more than five days at a time.
Contraindications:
- Avoid acidic foods, such as citrus fruit when taking uva ursi.
- Do not drink cranberry juice while also taking uva ursi, as it may counter the effects of the herb.
- Do not use uva ursi if you are taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Uva ursi contains hydroquinone, which can become toxic to your liver. Consult your physician before taking this herb.
- Pregnant women and individuals with kidney disease are not recommended to take uva ursi.
- Goldenseal
Goldenseal contains an antimicrobial agent called berberine. Berberine helps prevent UTIs by interfering with the way bacteria adhere to the wall of your bladder. Though it is highly beneficial, it should be used to treat only minor symptoms of UTI, and not its advanced form.
Goldenseal is available over-the-counter in tablet, capsule, liquid extract and tincture preparations. It tastes awful so I recommend to take it in capsule or tablet form. The recommended dosage for adults is 500 to 1,000 mg of goldenseal tablets or capsules up to three times daily. Alternatively, adults can take 30 to 120 mg of standardized extract or 2 to 3 mL of goldenseal tincture three times each day. Goldenseal should not be taken for more than 2 weeks.
Contraindications:
- While taking goldenseal, you may notice that your skin is more sensitive to sunlight – a side effect called photosensitivity. For this reason, take extra care to protect your skin with clothing or sunscreen before venturing outdoors while taking goldenseal.
- Treatment with goldenseal may also cause mild stomach or oral irritation, especially if you take more than the recommended dosage.
- Do not take this herb if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding.
- Seek care from your doctor before using goldenseal if you have a personal history of high blood pressure or heart or liver disease.
- Oregon grape root
Oregon grape root, or Mountain grape, is not a grape at all. However, it is one of several plants high in berberine, which is a potent anti-microbial agent. This herb does two things fabulously well:
- Supports liver function by stimulating bile flow
- Acts as a potent anti-microbial agent
It is its anti-microbial ability that makes it an ideal remedy for UTIs. This herb is so bitter that it is often impossible to drink it as a tea. However, its tea can be used as an external wash, even for UTIs to bring relief. It is often administered in tincture, extract, and capsules form. Dosage is often dependent on body size and severity of infection. It should be taken under the guidance of an herbalist or Naturopath, however, on average the dosage is as follows:
Tincture:
10 drops for a smaller person and / or weaker infection
30 drops for a larger person and / or severe infection
Capsule:
500 mg of capsule a day, for no longer than 2 weeks (however, it should be taken under the guidance of an herbalist or physician.)
- Horseradish
Horseradish is such a powerful natural antibiotic for bladder infections, that the German Commission E (The German equivalent of the FDA) has approved it as an adjunct natural treatment to prescription drugs for UTIs.
The active ingredients in Horseradish concentrate in the urine, and therefore deliver antibiotic effects to the bladder. These ingredients can also activate specific enzymes which help to keep toxins from accumulating in the bladder.
Horseradish is also diuretic, which means it helps the body eliminate urine, so bacteria or inflammatory agents get flushed out sooner and better.
The best way to consume horseradish is to eat it raw and fresh as cooking destroys its beneficial substances. It can be grated and mixed with apple cider vinegar for an amazing overall health tonic.
The suggested daily intake of horseradish is ½ to 1 teaspoon (3 to 5 grams) of freshly grated horseradish three times a day. If used in higher amounts, it can cause upset stomach, vomiting, and excessive sweating.
- Garlic
Garlic is a popular remedy for UTI. It is very rich in anti-inflammatory and antibiotic agents, the most well-known being allicin, however, there are other valuable compounds in it as well which can wipe out bad bacteria in your body.
But there is a trick…you have to eat it raw!
That’s the only way to actually get the full benefits of garlic. The best way to achieve this is as follows:
Every night peel three cloves of garlic, crush them and then mix them with water. Drink the entire amount of water before going to sleep. Make sure your stomach is full in order to avoid heartburn. You should start feeling a difference in your overall health, and your urinary tract infection symptoms should start decreasing within 3 to 4 days.
AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS
- Gokshura and Punarnava—two herbs known specifically for their ability to support proper functioning of the urinary tract. The formula works to cool and soothe the entire urinary system, including inflamed membranes caused by urinary tract infections.
- Shatavari is sweet and cooling herb that helps to relieve inflammation in the genito-urinary system.
- Coriander or cilantro is a helpful household spice to have on hand for conditions such as burning urination. A fresh juice can be taken to instantly dispel excess pitta from the body. Coriander seeds can be used in a tea, either by itself or along with cumin and fennel, as a digestive aid and anti-inflammatory for burning upon urination.
- You can prepare an effective remedy by mixing the powders of cardamom—one part, root of paashaanabheda—half part, purified shilajit—half part, and long pepper—half part. Take this preparation in doses of three to four grams with half a glass of water in which rice has been washed, twice a day.
- Elaadi-choorna, taarakeswara ras, Chandraprabhavati, Pravaala-bhasma, Chandanaasava etc, are some of the important ayurvedic medicines which can effectively treat this condition. Consult your ayurvedic physician before using these medicines.
Have you ever tried natural treatments for UTI?
What works best for you?