Urinary tract infections or UTI is an infection of any part of your urinary system, including the urethra, bladder, kidneys, and ureters. Thankfully, aside from commercial antibiotics, herbal medicine for UTI is available.
Most UTI infections affect either the bladder or the urethra, which are on the lower urinary tract. It is deemed one of the most common bacterial infections and is more common with females than in males.
Fortunately, UTI can be easily diagnosed and can be treated with antibiotics. For patients with uncomplicated UTIs, there are some herbal remedies available to treat and prevent UTIs.
How to Know if You Have UTI?
Symptoms
Before anyone can be treated for UTI, they need to be checked up first to guarantee that they will be given proper medication. According to research, the misuse of antibiotics is one of the key reasons some pathogens have become resistant to certain drugs.
Some self-medicate and would use antibiotics without enough proof that they have a bacterial infection. Even if they have, they might use the wrong medicine which could also cause resistant bacteria.
But how do you know if you need to contact a doctor?
Below are the symptoms of UTI:
- Strong-smelling urine
- Strong and persistent urge to urinate
- Cloudy urine
- Urine that is bright pink, red, or cola-colored, which indicates blood
- Experiencing a burning sensation when urinating
- Frequent urination but only with small amounts
- Pain in the pelvic area that usually occurs in women
If you feel any of these, you can contact your doctor, and they would suggest that you take a urine test, which will allow them to know whether you do have a bacterial infection in your urinary system. Based on the results, they can recommend different treatments which use commercial antibiotics or herbal medicine for UTI.
Different Types of UTI and Their Symptoms
There are three different types of UTI, depending on which part of your urinary system is infected. Each type may also have different symptoms.
Acute Pyelonephritis
In acute pyelonephritis, the kidney is infected. According to the National Kidney Foundation, this is a more serious urinary tract infection. Pyelonephritis can cause kidney damage in children if the problem is not treated as soon as possible and worsens.
The symptoms include:
- High fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Side (flank) and upper back pain
- Shaking and chills
Urethritis
The clinical term when your urethra is infected with bacteria is urethritis. Patients with it often experience discharge and a burning sensation when urinating.
Cystitis
When the bladder is infected, it is known as cystitis. The symptoms include the following:
- Sign of blood in the urine
- Pelvic pressure
- Frequent and painful urination
- Discomfort in the lower abdomen
How is UTI Diagnosed?
When you feel any of the symptoms and get medical attention, your physician will ask you to undergo a urine test where you will have to provide a urine sample. A urinalysis is usually enough to detect the presence of bacteria. Experts will be looking for bacteria in your urine or white blood cells, which is a sign of infection. Additionally, another test might be needed to determine the specific bacteria causing the infection. The most common bacteria is E.coli, which is normally found in our colons.
According to the Urology Care Foundation, you must also get immediate medical assistance if you find blood in your urine. It may be a sign of urinary tract infections, but it may also be a sign of another issue with your urinary tract.
How is UTI treated?
The treatment depends on how severe the problem is.
Simple (uncomplicated) urinary tract infections can be easily treated with oral antibiotics that a physician will prescribe. It is essential to finish the full course of the antibiotics even if the symptoms go away in just a few days just to ensure the bacteria will be gone entirely and that they do not develop any resistance to the antibiotics you are using.
Meanwhile, complicated UTI issues are also treated with antibiotics. However, patients often have to take them for several days. At the hospital, intravenous (IV) antibiotics may be given and then the oral form can be continued at home.
Herbal Medicine for UTI
For some people, turning to natural remedies is the best course of action, especially for those who have allergies with certain types of medications for UTI.
In a research study, herbal medicines for UTI are rather effective when partnered with appropriate therapeutic dosing strategies. With that in mind, it is still essential to get a urine test and set an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. If you want to take or are taking herbal medicines, it is best to mention it to your doctor so they can work with it.
Nevertheless, here is the best herbal medicine for UTI you can try against urinary tract infections:
- Bearberry. Bearberry is also known as uva ursi and is effectively-known to suppress bacterial infection like UTIs. It has various benefits as it acts as an antibacterial, astringent, urinary antiseptic, and diuretic.
- Cornsilk and horsetail. Both of these herbs have a diuretic effect and can soothe irritated mucous membranes.
- Cranberry. It is perhaps the most popular natural remedy against UTI. It also effectively avoids it as it keeps bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract so the system could flush it out. With cranberry, people can avoid recurrent cystitis.
- Goldenseal. This plant is a natural antibacterial and effective against bacterial infections like UTI.
Bearberry, horsetail, and cornsilk can be taken effectively as an herbal tea. These can be taken daily as long as your doctor says it is okay. There are also available herbal tinctures containing concentrated constituents of these herbs, which make them more potent and effective.
In the Philippines, people suffering from UTI are encouraged to drink lots of water, buko juice or coconut water, and ginger tea to help flush out the toxins.
Key Takeaways
Urinary tract infections or UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections that women typically suffer from. Although it can be easily treated with antibiotics, it is possible to use natural remedies to heal and avoid UTIs. Nevertheless, you should still go to your doctor for a checkup.
Learn more about Herbals & Alternative treatments here.
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