Urinary Tract Infection Pain Relief

Urinary tract infections are harmless conditions usually affecting the urethra and the bladder. But these can have painful symptoms, including burning urine. Most of the time, your health care provider will prescribe antibiotics to cure to the infection. But antibiotics do not do much for the pain until the infection is completely gone. Until then, there are several ways to ease the pain associated with urinary tract infections.

Causes and Symptoms

Urinary tract infections (also called bladder infections or urinary infections) are caused by the bacteria that are normally found on your skin, in your intestinal tract or in your stool being spread to your urinary tract. The entry point is nearly always your urethra, the tube through which urine leaves your body. As the bacteria grow and multiply, they make themselves known through bloody, cloudy or smelly urine. Your normal urinating routine may increase or decrease significantly. You may also feel a painful burning sensation when you urinate or cramping in your pelvis or lower back.

Prescription Pain Relief

If you are experiencing intense pain or cramps from your urinary tract infection, you should tell your health care provider. It can mean that your infection has spread. If he has determined that you still have a simple urinary tract infection, he may prescribe a prescription analgesic, a group of medicines designed to relieve pain. A prescription analgesic like phenazopyridine can numb your bladder and urethra, preventing you from feeling the pain associated with a urinary tract infection. Be warned that your urine may become discolored while you are using this drug, turning orange or blue.

Over the Counter Drugs

If you are not experiencing intense pain, your health care provider may suggest you try an over the counter drug. One product that has similar (but less powerful) effects to the phenazopyridine is called Uristat or Azo. Like phenazopyridine, these can turn your urine a shade of blue or orange. You may even take some common pain relievers like Advil or Motrin if the pain is minor enough.

Fluids

One of the simplest ways to stop the burning associated with urinary tract infection is to drink lots of fluids, especially water. The reason you burn when you urinate is because your urethra is irritated from all the bacteria that have taken up residence in it. Drinking tons of liquids help to flush them out of your urinary tract and out of your body each time you urinate.

Diet

It is important to stay away from foods that may aggravate the lining of your bladder or your urethra if you want to lessen the pain symptoms. Spicy foods, caffeine and sugar should be avoided. Stay away from coffees or sodas, and stick to lots of water or unsweetened cranberry juice. Your urinary tract infection pain can worsen if you eat these foods before you have fully recovered.

References

• Urinary Tract Infections in Adults
• Urinary Tract Infection