Are you or someone you know suffering from urinary tract infection? Well, first, do not panic! This infection is common and curable. In some cases, just simple home remedies can treat it. Sometimes, medical attention is necessary to prevent further complications. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor or a healthcare professional for the best treatment for UTI.

A UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract that is composed of urethra, kidneys, ureters, and bladder. This entire system is responsible for the process of urine formation and urine expulsion from the body. Hence, any infection in this system is bound to cause some physical uneasiness. The E. Coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria is the main reason behind most of the UTI cases. However, this infection is not contagious.

Few causes of UTI

• The bacteria may reach the urinary tract while having sex.
• Also, using an unhygienic bathroom may cause this bacterial infection.
• Any person having kidney stones can suffer from this infection if the stones block the urinary tract.
• There is a high chance that people with diabetes get this infection as they do not have a strong immune system.
• If a person is going through medical treatments like urinary catheter, chemotherapy etc., UTI may occur.
• If someone keeps holding the urine for too long, chances of occurring UTI increase.
• Parkinson’s disease, injuries in the spinal cord, or any structural abnormalities in the genitourinary tract.

The best treatment for UTI is only possible when it is diagnosed properly. According to various medical research reports, women get urinary tract infection more than men. It is because women’s urethra is shorter in size and it is located closer to the rectum.

Signs and symptoms of UTI
Here are some symptoms that will help you understand if you are suffering from the infection or not, and you can then consult a doctor to get the proper urinary tract infection treatment.

• Feeling pain or burning sensation while urinating
• Bladder spasm: An urge to urinate suddenly
• Frequent urination
• A sense or feeling of bladder emptying incompletely
• Smelly urine
• A feeling of pain or pressure in the pelvis or lower abdomen
• Blood in the urine or cloudy, milky, dark or reddish colored urine
• Feeling pain while having sexual intercourse
• Chills or fever or fatigue

How to cure urinary tract infection?
For urinary tract infection treatment, usually, antibiotics are used. However, the duration of the antibiotic course varies depending on the infected parts of the urinary tract, medical history, and particular symptoms. For the best results, it is advisable to complete the entire antibiotic course prescribed by the doctor even if you start feeling better and fit after taking a few doses.

While consulting a healthcare professional is necessary and always advisable, a few home remedies can effectively help to treat this infection. If you are wondering how to cure urinary tract infection without having antibiotics, read on!

• Drinking fluids – The more you drink water, the more it will help you to flush the bacteria out of your body. However, you need to keep in mind that excessive drinking can be dangerous as well, especially if an individual has pre-existing kidney diseases. Hence, you must not ignore medical advice.
• Using heat pad – Well, first, applying a heating pad will not help you to recover from the infection but it will help you to ease the discomfort or pain temporarily caused by the infection. You should not apply the heat pad directly to the skin. Apply it for short periods and be careful to not burn the skin using excessive heat!
• Diet – Any spicy and hot, caffeinated, fizzy and alcoholic food and drink can worsen the symptoms of UTI. Hence, avoiding these kinds of foods would be better. Try to consume essential nutrients and food having high fiber. Such foods will help the affected person to recover faster.
• Urinate whenever necessary – An individual having UTI feels the urge of urinating frequently even if there is no urine to release. Drinking more water will help you to urinate more and there is a chance that the bacteria causing UTI will get expelled with urine.
• Clothing – You should wear clean and loose fitting clothes to avoid moisture that might worsen the infection. Also, keep the pubic area dry and clean to prevent bacterial growth.

The above-mentioned home remedies are effective but for the best treatment for UTI, you should consult your doctor. Moreover, any pre-existing medication or medical history needs to be considered and this is only possible when you take advice directly from a healthcare professional.