How to Treat Urinary Tract Infections in the Wilderness

Urinary tract infections are most easily treated if caught early. These can develop into kidney infections if left untreated.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections: frequent urination or the feeling of needing to urinate with little urination; pain or burning during urination; uncomfortable spasms of the urethra; discomfort in the bladder during or after intercourse; occasional blood in the urine.

2. Drink tons of water, even if you feel like it makes you pee more (it should). Urine should be clear and copious, not yellow.

3. Don't hold it; urinate when you feel the urge so that you don't give bacteria a chance to grow.

4. Carry with you and take an antibiotic prescribed for UTIs at the first signs of infection. On a long expedition, make sure you bring one of the broader spectrum antibiotics with you, such as ciprofloxcin (prescribed as Cipro).

5. Take prescribed phenazopyridine to help with pelvic spasms.

6. Avoid alcohol, caffeine and spicy food.

7. Eat a diet plentiful in dried fruits, grains and nuts.

8. Take two or three cranberry supplements daily to help prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.

9. Take 500mg of vitamin C daily to increase the acidity of the urine.

10. Take calcium/magnesium tablets and vitamin B6 to help reduce spasms.

11. Avoid intercourse until symptoms subside.

Tips & Warnings

• Evacuate for any of the following conditions: symptoms do not decrease within 48 hours of treatment, symptoms include pelvic pain, fever or chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain with bleeding, foul-smelling discharge, back pain.
• This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

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