How to Treat a urinary Tract infection

Urinary tract infections are uncomfortable and very common, especially among women. They can be treated with antibiotics, but there are also some things you can do at home to relieve the pain and speed healing. Read on to learn how to treat a urinary tract infection.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Water
• Cranberry juice
• Over-the-counter pain reliever

1. At the first sign of a urinary tract infection, call your doctor. You will likely need an antibiotic to treat the infection.
2. Begin to drink extra water. Aim to drink at least one 8 oz. glass of water each hour. Avoid caffeinated or carbonated beverages as these can encourage bacteria growth.
3. Drink at least four 8 oz. glasses of cranberry juice while you are symptomatic. After your infection has cleared up, drink one glass a day to keep your urine slightly acidic. Acidic urine provides an unfriendly environment for bacterial growth.
4. Remember to urinate as soon as your feel the need. Holding urine in your bladder will encourage bacterial growth. Completely empty your bladder each time your urinate.
5. Relieve pain by taking an OTC pain reliever like Advil or UriStat. Uristat will turn your urine orange and can stain fabric.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to take all of the antibiotics that your doctor prescribes, even if your symptoms disappear.
• Do not hold your urine.
• Urinate before and after intercourse.
• Wipe from front to back to prevent spreading bacteria from the rectum.
• If you begin to spike a fever or experience lower back pain, call your doctor as soon as possible.