How to Treat Urinary Tract Infections

By eHow Health Editor

Rate: (31 Ratings)

Urinary tract infections are also known as UTIs, cystitis and bladder infections. They are most common in women, but men and children can also get them, and almost all of them are caused by E. coli bacteria.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Celery
  • Cranberry Juice
  • Parsleys
  • Watermelons
  • Acidophilus
  • Colloidal Silver
  • Cranberry Capsules
  • Vitamin C

Step1
Drink plenty of fluids. Begin as soon as you feel the first signs and symptoms. Drink up to several gallons in the first 24 hours after the onset of symptoms. Doing this can actually flush the bacteria out and wash it away.
Step2
Choose water as your primary fluid.
Step3
Drink cranberry juice. The second choice is orange juice. They make your urine more acidic, which helps kill the bacteria and provide relief from symptoms.
Step4
Take cranberry tablets or capsules if you are unable to drink or locate the juice. Take them with a large glass of water.
Step5
Take vitamin C with a bioflavonoid complex, at least 2,000mg per day. Divide the dose. This helps acidify the urine and also strengthens your immune system.
Step6
Urinate whenever you feel the urge. Don't hold it in. Try not to be in a place where there is no available bathroom.
Step7
Empty your bladder completely when you urinate. Urine left in the bladder provides a good breeding ground for bacteria.
Step8
Avoid alcohol, caffeinated and carbonated drinks, and spicy foods. They can worsen symptoms.
Step9
Avoid sexual intercourse while you are having symptoms.
Step10
Refrain from taking bubble baths or using bath oils while having symptoms.
Step11
They can cause increased irritation.
Step12
Pour warm water over genital area while you are urinating. This helps relieve burning when you urinate, which is a common symptom of urinary tract infections.
Step13
Eat parsley, celery and watermelon. They act as natural diuretics.
Step14
Use colloidal silver, which is a natural antibiotic. Use as directed on label.
Step15
Take the entire prescription of antibiotics if your doctor prescribes them.
Step16
Do not stop just because you are feeling better. Not taking the full prescription can cause a relapse or recurrence.
Step17
Take acidophilus with each meal if you are on antibiotics. It will help maintain and restore normal bacterial growth.

Tips & Warnings

  • Some sexually transmitted diseases have symptoms similar to urinary tract infections. See a doctor if you suspect that you may have an STD.
  • See a doctor if you have a fever, chills, pain in the flank area, nausea or vomiting - especially if the symptoms develop rapidly. Also see a doctor if symptoms do not improve after 24 hours of self-care, or if you are unable to urinate at all.
  • If symptoms persist or if you have specific medical conditions or concerns, we recommend you contact a physician. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Comments

| View All Comments
Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 I did not have apple cider vinegar but instead I had white vinegar when the tract infection occurred. As the pain was unbearable, I mixed about 2 ounces of vinegar with 16 ounces of water, and within 15 minutes, I could feel the pain slowly going away. I had also tried to drink cranberry juice, but it did not seem to work for me.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 Urinate after sexual intercourse, even if your bladder isn't full. This way, bacteria is flushed out and does not have time to cause trouble.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 My doctor also mentioned that you can help prevent UTI's by wearing cotton panties. I have noticed that this has helped me.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/22/2005 The makers of Monistat now manufacture an over-the-counter painkiller for UTIs under the brand name Uristat. This will not cure the UTI, but it will make the symptoms more bearable while you're waiting for your prescription treatment to be phoned in!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 6/30/2006 Don't take the two together. Taking cranberry juice (or pills, tablets, etc.) acidifies the urine, while uva ursi acts as an antiseptic/diuretic and it alkalizes urine. They counteract each other.

Also, mega doses of bio-K+ acidophilus, CranActin pill (sometimes two every half hour) combined with D-mannose is a good combination for me. It has saved me from going for the antibiotics several times! D-mannose is a sugar from aloe that will not breed bacteria like most sugars, but instead, it lures the bacteria away from the urethra and bladder walls, so it can be flushed out.

The bio-K+ is the most amazing acidophilus supplement. It boosts your immune system by introducing heaps of friendly bacteria. It's about the equivalent of 250 freeze-dried pills or 100 cups of yogurt in it's bio-activity.

The CranActin works by acidifying the urine, and keeps bacteria from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract, so it can be flushed out.

View All

Post a Comment

POST A COMMENT

Request a New How-To Article

Looking for more How To information? Chances are there’s an eHow member who knows how to do what you’re looking to do. Submit an article request now!

eHow Article:  How to Treat Urinary Tract Infections

eHow Health Editor

eHow Health Editor

Category: Health

Articles: See my other articles

Related Ads

Health

DrJewell
Meet DrJewell eHow’s Health Expert.