What Causes A Bladder Infection
Risk factors for developing bladder infections include:
- Frequent or recent sexual intercourse
- Use of spermicide-coated condoms, diaphragms, or spermicides alone for birth control
- Conditions such as kidney stones or ureteral reflux that block or change the flow of urine in the kidneys
- Structural or functional urinary tract abnormalities
- A genetic predisposition to UTIs
- Wiping the bottom from back to front after having a bowel movement
Wipe From Front To Back
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , UTIs can develop when bacteria from the rectum or feces gain access to the urethra. This small channel allows urine to flow out of the body.
Once bacteria are in the urethra, they can travel up into other urinary tract organs, where they can lead to infections.
How Is A Bladder Infection Diagnosed
Bladder infections are usually diagnosed with a urine test.
- Urinalysis, which checks for white blood cells in the urine that can be a sign of infection
- Urine culture, which uses a sample of urine to try and grow bacteria in a laboratory to identify the type of bacteria causing the UTI and determine which antibiotics would be effective against that bacteria
In people who have recurrent bladder infections, additional testing may be indicated to check for abnormalities in the kidneys, ureter, bladder, or urethra, or for kidney stones. Tests may include:
- Computed tomography scan
Read Also: Can Anxiety Cause Bladder Leakage
Read Also: Can Infected Teeth Cause Sinus Problems
How To Get Rid Of A Uti Without Antibiotics
UTIs are one of Mother Natureâs torture devices. Itâs bad enough youâre running to the potty every 15 minutes. Was it necessary to add the feeling of a hot poker being jammed inside your urine hole?
I think not.
This cruel âbeingâ then decided that the treatment requires permission from a licensed medical professional. And isnât it oh so easy to see a doctor these days?
- Long wait times
- Rude staff
- Exposure to âbat soup virusâ
There has got to be a better way. Right? You turn to Dr. Google and search for âhow to get rid of a UTI without antibiotics.â Which has led us to this moment.
Before we get too excited letâs see if thereâs any scientific proof to back the internet chatter on getting rid of a UTI without antibiotics. Letâs get you some advice from a real expert. A board-certified urologist with VirtuCare.
Took Antibiotics Some Uti Symptoms Resolved Other Symptoms Still Linger
So why if it wasnt a UTI, the prescribed antibiotics worked and you did feel a relief? Well, there could be at least three reasons:
Dr. Hawes hypothesizes that it could be due to some sort of a side-effect from Cipro: perhaps, the medicine does something else to the body besides killing bacteria that could indeed reduce UTI-like symptoms.
Recommended Reading: Does Azo Help With Yeast Infections
Take An Otc Pain Reliever
Over-the-counter pain medications can temporarily relieve pain caused by a UTI. Use caution here, and always speak with a doctor first, as some UTIs can turn into kidney infections. In these cases, patients should avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs , which could make the infection worse.
Cranberry Juice And Extracts
Who hasnât been told to âdrink cranberry juiceâ to treat a UTI? Itâs probably the most common and poorly understood home remedies to get rid of a UTI without antibiotics. So how do we separate false claims from facts?
Science. That pesky little tool we turn to when Facebook group discussions get really heated. Now not all science is the same.
The most powerful scientific tool is a randomized controlled trial. This is the fancy doctor term for taking two groups of patients and randomly assigning them to a placebo or a treatment. Then let the results speak for themselves.
A 2021 review paper of existing randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness of cranberry consumption revealed that cranberry juice has no known benefit, but cranberry extracts may help get rid of a UTI without antibiotics.
If cranberry juices helps then itâs probably a combination of the placebo effect and hydrating . The reasons why cranberry juice is not a great choice?
This is probably why high quality cranberry extracts show more promise in getting rid of a UTI without antibiotics. One great option is from Utiva Health, which loads its supplements with PACs. PACs are the compounds in cranberries which flush out bacteria and keep your bladder healthy.
Will consuming cranberry juice or extracts help you get rid of a UTI without antibiotics?
Read Also: Ear Infection Hurts So Bad
Treat Related Health Problems
When a childs bladder doesnt work exactly as it shouldcalled dysfunctional voidingtreatments may help the bladder work better and prevent repeated infections. The muscles that control urination may be out of sync. Or, your childs bladder may be overactive or underactive.
Health care professionals can treat these types of bladder problems with medicines, behavior changes, or both. Children often grow out of these bladder problems naturally over time.
If your child has vesicoureteral reflux, a urinary tract blockage, or an anatomical problem, see a pediatric urologist or other specialist. Treating these conditions may help prevent repeated bladder infections.
Diabetes and other health conditions can increase the risk for a bladder infection. Ask your childs health care professional how to reduce the risk of developing a bladder infection.
I What Is Bacterial Infection
To understand what bacterial infection is and how to treat bacterial infection, we should perceive the concept of bacteria. According to Dr. James Steckelberg, who is a consultant in the Division of Infectious Disease as well as a professor of medicine working at Mayo Medical School, bacteria are microscopic and single-cell organisms that are able to live almost everywhere, regardless climate and location.As you know, bacteria can live in the air, soil, and water. They also live on and inside many carrying parties such as plants, animals, and even human bodies. By that, they have certain impacts on the carrying parties, actually. In addition to the benefits that they can bring, for instance, they perform vital functions for organisms as well as in the environment, bacteria are still considered as a negative connotation. Bacterial infection is an example.
If you want to understand in depth, you can click at and read the specific study on bacteria.
Dont Miss: Can Hiv Cause Ear Infection
Don’t Miss: Why Do I Get A Sinus Infection Every Year
If You Have A Uti Do You Need To Take Antibiotics
Since most UTIs are caused by bacteria, the common treatment is the use of antibiotics which work by killing these microorganisms. However, using antibiotics can be problematic for several reasons:
- there are a few types of bacteria that are becoming increasingly resistant to available antibiotics
- many UTIs get better on their own without treatment in 2-3 days
- antibiotics can cause side effects like nausea, diarrhea, yeast infections, and allergic reactions
Treatment For Cystitis That Keeps Coming Back
If you keep getting cystitis, a GP may prescribe:
- a single-dose antibiotic to take within 2 hours of having sex, if you’ve noticed sex triggers cystitis
- a low-dose antibiotic to take for up to 6 months
- a vaginal oestrogen cream, if you have gone through the menopause
In some women, antibiotics do not work or urine tests do not pick up an infection even though you have cystitis symptoms.
This may mean you have a long-term bladder infection that is not picked up by current urine tests. Ask the GP for a referral to a specialist for further tests and treatment.
Long-term infections are linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer in people aged 60 and over.
Also Check: One Day Yeast Infection Cure
How Long Does A Uti Last
While most UTIs last no longer than a week, there are a variety of factors that can influence when youll finally feel better and when your body will completely clear out the bacteria.
When thinking about how long a UTIs going to last, the first thing to consider is whether its considered uncomplicated or complicated. As the American Urological Association explains, uncomplicated UTIs are far more common than complicated UTIs . They tend to be located in the lower urinary tract and dont have other factors that could make them more difficult to treat.
How long an uncomplicated UTI lasts can vary based on what you do to treat it. Sometimes your bodys immune system can clear out the invading bacteria without any help from medications, says Courtenay Moore, MD, urologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center,.
If untreated, a UTI would typically take about three to seven days to fight off on your own, Dr. Moore tells Health.
With that said, antibiotics are considered the gold standard for UTI treatment and its always a good idea to get symptoms of a UTI checked out by a doctor.
Doctors often give people who show up with UTI symptoms a prescription for antibiotics that they think will kill the pathogen. Theyll also take a urine sample to see whats going on. Once the lab results come back , the doctor may switch you to another antibiotic thats better at killing the particular bacteria responsible for your infection.
How To Treat Uti
UTI can be cured by taking antibiotics. However, some people can also develop resistance to antibiotics if they have been prescribed the same course of antibiotics repeatedly. Therefore, there are ways that you can try to treat and prevent UTI :
Also Check: Yeast Infection Sores On Vag
Urinate When The Need Arises
Bacteria in the urinary tract is always under pressure during frequent urination. This can help to clear them out.
It also brings down the amount of time that bacteria in the urine are exposed to cells in the urinary tract. Urinating at the right time usually reduces the risk associated with attaching and forming an infection.
It is advisable to always urinate as soon as possible when the urge comes in order to help prevent and treat UTIs.
What Is The Treatment For A Bladder Infection
Most bladder infections are treated with antibiotics. This is the fastest way to get rid of a bladder infection. In some mild cases, bladder infections may go away on their own without treatment, but because untreated UTIs can lead to complications, consult your doctor to see if letting the infection run its course is the right option for your case.
Medications to treat bladder infections include:
Also Check: How To Take A Zpack For Sinus Infection
How Do I Get Rid Of A Uti Quickly
There is no quick fix for a UTI. Taking cranberry supplements and drinking water could help flush bacteria out of your system more quickly. However, it can be dangerous to drink too much water in a short period of time. In many cases, taking an antibiotic for a UTI could be the quickest way to get rid of one.
Why Wouldnt I Just Take The Antibiotics Instead Of Worrying About All This
This is a fair question, and I understand that it may seem tempting to simply get a prescription and not have to worry about your symptoms. Unfortunately, any kind of antibiotic prescription has devastasting long-lasting impacts to your health, specifically your microbiome. Up to 50 percent of all antibiotics prescribed are not actually needed .
Instead of rushing to get antibiotics straight away, I recommend trying some of the above methods to see if it gets better on its own. If not, and you start to notice your symptoms get increasingly worse, then it is time to see a doctor and take the drugs. For myself, luckily, the pain was never too excruciating that I could not go to work or function. It was irritating, but I stuck with the above methods and now I am pretty much back to 100 percent. Your body was built to be able to heal on its own, as long as your immune system is strong and healthy. Keep in mind that antibiotic resistance is a huge problem and taking several courses of antibiotics without considering the long term impacts is not smart. Antibiotics work because they wipe out the bad bacteria, but these drugs do not pick and choose between bad and good bacteria. They kill everything. After a single course, your gut flora is pretty much wiped, which leads you vulnerable for getting more infections. If you do taking antibiotics, please, please take a high quality and strong probiotic . This is the best way to mitigate the damage!
Don’t Miss: How Fast Can A Tooth Infection Spread
Discuss With Your Doctor If Some Of Your Uti Symptoms Persist After Antibiotics
Here are several questions that you should think about prior to your doctor visit to help your physician with the right information:
- Are your symptoms stronger when the bladder is full and you feel better after urination?
- Does a certain position trigger bladder pain?
- Do you feel that your symptoms stay the same over the course of days and even weeks?
- Is there blood in your urine, foul smell, or is your urine cloudy?
- If youd like more help on how to discuss your UTI with your provider and how to make the most out of your patient-doctor relationships, check out my Actionable Guide here.
Are There Any Over
Over-the-counter antibiotics for a UTI are not available. You should see your doctor to have your symptoms evaluated.
Your provider may recommend an OTC product called Uristat to numb your bladder and urethra to ease the burning pain during urination. Uristat can be bought without a prescription at the pharmacy. A similar phenazopyridine product called Pyridium is also available.
Take phenazopyridine for only 48 hours, and be aware it may cause your urine to turn a brown, orange or red color which may stain fabrics or contact lenses. It may be best to not wear contact lenses while being treated with phenazopyridine.
Phenazopyridine is not an antibiotic and will not cure a UTI.
See also: Ratings of Urinary Anti-Infectives
Read Also: Can Z Pack Cause Yeast Infection
Natural Remedies For Uti
There are plenty of things you can do to help heal your UTI if you cant get access to or are looking to avoid antibiotics. Probiotics are a natural remedy that helps with urinary tract health. Probiotics can be found in fermented foods and dairy products like yogurt, sauerkraut, and some cheeses. Probiotics work by producing hydrogen peroxide, a strong antibacterial, in the urine. You can also take probiotics as a supplement every day for the many health benefits such as better digestive health, a stronger immune system, and more friendly bacteria in your urinary tract.
The most important thing when you feel a UTI coming on is to stay hydrated. Water and liquids dilute the urine moving through your urinary tract and make it harder for unwanted bacteria to reach the cells that line urinary organs. Another way to prevent UTIs from developing is peeing when you have to. Holding in urine often causes bacteria to build up and increases the risk of infection. Its best to listen to your body when it tells you your bladder is full to help avoid and treat UTIs.
As annoying as UTIs are, theres comfort in knowing your options for treating them. For more resources like this, head to the Stix Library or send us your questions at .
Most Women With Uti Will Be Treated With Antibiotics
About half of all women will have a urinary tract infection at some point in their lifetime, and most will be treated with antibiotics to eliminate the infection.
While these medications have long been the standard treatment for a UTI, concerns about unnecessary antibiotic use and the growing problem of antibiotic resistance have raised questions about whether the drugs are always needed. Without antibiotic treatment, will a UTI go away on its own?
First, it helps to understand what a UTI is. UTI is classified into two broad categories, uncomplicated, also known as cystitis, and complicated, such as pyelonephritis, catheter-associated, UTI during pregnancy and UTI in setting of kidney stone.
When bacteria invade the urethra and track upwards to the bladder, it causes infection and inflammation in a normally sterile environment. In most cases, UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria normally found in the bowels that venture out to an area in our body where it is not used to being.
A mild UTI causes symptoms, including painful urination, constantly feeling the need to urinate and cramping pain in the lower abdomen. In the elderly population, a mild UTI can even cause confusion. Symptoms from a complicated UTI include fever, lower back pain, blood in urine, and even pus in urine.
Can you treat a UTI without antibiotics?
While some UTIs may go away without antibiotic treatment, Dr. Pitis cautions against foregoing antibiotics.
Understanding UTI symptoms
- Blood in your urine
Don’t Miss: Prevent Yeast Infection While On Antibiotics