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.
Written by Stephanie Nera, RPh, PharmD · Pharmacology
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.
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?
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.
There are three different types of UTI, depending on which part of your urinary system is infected. Each type may also have different symptoms.
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:
The clinical term when your urethra is infected with bacteria is urethritis. Patients with it often experience discharge and a burning sensation when urinating.
When the bladder is infected, it is known as cystitis. The symptoms include the following:
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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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