Friday, March 22, 2024

Pain Meds For Urinary Tract Infection

Must read

What Happens When A Uti Goes Untreated

Mayo Clinic Minute: Treating Urinary Tract Infections

Thanks to early diagnosis and proper treatment, the vast majority of lower urinary tract infections result in no complications. However, if left untreated, a UTI can have serious ramifications notes the Mayo Clinic, including:

  • Premature birth and low birth weight
  • Kidney damage, which can occur is an untreated UTI spreads from the bladder to the kidneys.

By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

How Long Should I Take Antibiotics

Your doctor will let you know. Typically, for an uncomplicated infection, youâll take antibiotics for 2 to 3 days. Some people will need to take these medicines for up to 7 to 10 days.

For a complicated infection, you might need to take antibiotics for 14 days or more.

If you still have symptoms after completing antibiotics, a follow-up urine test can show whether the germs are gone. If you still have an infection, youâll need to take antibiotics for a longer period of time.

If you get UTIs often, you may need a prolonged course of antibiotics. And if sex causes your UTIs, youâll take a dose of the medicine right before you have sex. You can also take antibiotics whenever you get a new UTI if youâre having symptoms and a positive urine culture.

Whats The Best Way To Treat Urinary Tract Infections In Pups

When it comes to treating this condition, a UTI treatment over the counter is always a great option.

First things first, if you suspect that your pup has a urinary tract infection UTI, you should visit the vet immediately. As a friendly note, waiting too long to bring your pup to the vet can significantly exacerbate the symptoms.

The good news is that a vet will be able to diagnose your dog with a UTI and recommend several effective over-the-counter treatments right away.

Also Check: Urinary Infection Blood In Urine

Read Also: Best Over The Counter Medicine For Ear Infection For Adults

How Do I Know If I Need Antibiotics To Treat My Uti

Once you have a UTI, home remedies and OTC medications will not cure a UTI. You will need antibiotics to cure your UTI. Once you start antibiotics, symptoms usually clear up in 2-3 days.

Even though the symptoms should clear up quickly, you should still take all the antibiotics your doctor prescribes for you. If you dont, the infection could come back even stronger the next time.

For an uncomplicated UTI, these antibiotics are prescribed most often:

What Can I Take To Relieve Pain

Cystex Urinary Pain Relief Tablets

Phenazopyridine hydrochloride may relieve your pain, burning, itching, and urgency to urinate within 20 minutes. Avoid taking it if you have kidney disease or are allergic to dyes. Do not worry if your urine turns reddish-orange when you take this medication. This common effect is not harmful, but it can stain clothing.

Methenamine and sodium salicylate work together to slow bacterial growth along the urinary tract and to control the UTI. Do not take this medication if you are allergic to aspirin, are on a low-sodium diet or anticoagulant therapy, or have stomach problems.

You can also take other pain relievers, such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen .

Read Also: Azo Test Strips Urinary Tract Infection Test

Also Check: Ear Infection And Neck Pain

How Should This Medicine Be Used

Phenazopyridine comes as a tablet or capsule to take by mouth. It usually is taken three times a day after meals. Do not chew or crush the tablets as it may cause your teeth to become stained swallow them whole with a full glass of water. You may stop taking this drug when pain and discomfort completely disappear. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take phenazopyridine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Does Cranberry Juice Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection

Many people say that cranberry juice can help treat, or even prevent, a UTI. Researchers are currently looking into the topic, but havent found a definitive answer yet. Healthcare providers recommend drinking lots of fluids if you have, or have a history of getting, a UTI. Adding a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice to your diet isnt a proven way to prevent a UTI, but it typically wont hurt you either.

Recommended Reading: When To Go To Er For Ear Infection

What Causes A Urinary Tract Infection

The most common causes of UTI infections are E. colibacterial strains that usually inhabit the colon. However, many other bacteria can occasionally cause an infection. In addition, yeasts and some parasites may cause UTIs. In the U.S., most infections are due to Gram-negative bacteria with E. coli causing the majority of infections.

Drink Plenty Of Fluids

Urinary Tract Infection – Overview (signs and symptoms, pathophysiology, causes and treatment)

Dehydration is linked to an increased risk of UTIs.

This is because regular urination can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract to prevent infection. When youre dehydrated, you arent urinating as often, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria.

A examined nursing home residents and administered a drinking schedule to participants to increase their fluid intake. Following the schedule decreased UTIs requiring antibiotics by 56%.

In a 2020 randomized control trial , 140 premenopausal participants prone to UTIs took part in a 12-month study to test if a higher fluid intake would decrease their risk of recurrent cystitis and, in turn, their risk of developing a UTI. Researchers found that an increase in fluid intake led to a decrease in UTI frequency.

To stay hydrated and meet your fluid needs, its best to drink water throughout the day and always when youre thirsty.

Benefits of drinking more fluids for UTI

Drinking plenty of liquids can decrease your risk of UTIs by making you pee more, which helps remove bacteria from your urinary tract.

evidence suggests that increasing your intake of vitamin C could protect against UTIs.

Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of urine, killing off the bacteria that cause infection.

An older 2007 study of UTIs in pregnant women looked at the effects of taking 100 milligrams of vitamin C every day.

Fruits and vegetables are especially high in vitamin C and are a good way to increase your intake.

Read Also: Will Yeast Infection Go Away Untreated

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.

Best Over The Counter Uti Medicines 2020

If youre experiencing difficult, frequent, and painful urination, it may have a UTI. Urinary tract infections are more common among women and develop as a cause of certain bacteria infecting the urethra. The most common ways that bacteria spread to these sensitive regions is either through sexual intercourse and poor hygiene practices.

UTI can be very troubling because of the pain and frequent, strong urges to urinate that it causes. Luckily, there are lots of UTI medications available on the market today. These often come in many forms however, so it can be hard to choose the best over the counter UTI medicine for your needs and your body. If you still cant make a decision and need some help to take your pick, you can take cues from this comprehensive buying guide.

Also Check: Can You Get Pneumonia From A Sinus Infection

How Can I Treat A Uti At Home For My Dog

Here are some at-home dog UTI treatment options:

Honest Paws Pre+ Probiotics for Dogs. This dog UTI treatment is made with prebiotics and probiotics for gut health. A dogs health begins in the digestive system Honest Paws ensures there are healthy bacteria for a healthy gut biome to promote better and faster recovery. The probiotics inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, while the prebiotics stimulates the growth of healthy bacteria. The formula uses antioxidant-rich foods to promote immune system function and inulin, their natural prebiotic, to promote the growth of 6 strains of healthy bacteria that help to strengthen the immune system and promote good digestion.

What Is The Urinary Tract

AZO Standard Urinary Pain Relief Tablets

The urinary tract makes and stores urine, one of the body’s liquid waste products. The urinary tract includes the following parts:

  • Kidneys: These small organs are located on back of your body, just above the hips. They are the filters of your body removing waste and water from your blood. This waste becomes urine.
  • Ureters: The ureters are thin tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to your bladder.
  • Bladder: A sac-like container, the bladder stores your urine before it leaves the body.
  • Urethra: This tube carries the urine from your bladder to the outside of the body.

Recommended Reading: Will Yeast Infection Go Away On Own

How Do I Recognize Symptoms Of Male Uti

Men with urinary tract infection do not usually see visible indications, but when they do, some of these symptoms can occur:

  • Painful urination
  • Burning sensation when urinating

Severe cases of urinary tract infection can also happen. If you experience fever, nausea, chills, vomiting, or back pain that accompanies the above symptoms, it could indicate a kidney infection. Immediate attention and prompt treatment should be necessary.

Recommended Reading: Causes Of Urinary Incontinence In Elderly Males

How Do You Get A Uti

A UTI is caused by bacteria that can enter the genital area and travelto the urinary tract through the urethra and into the bladder. UTIs are morecommon in women. There are several causes for UTI, including if you have kidneystones or obstructions in the urinary tract. UTIs do not spread from one personto another, but sexual activity may lead to or worsen a UTI. One cause of UTIincludes exposure to bacteria from your partner during sexual activity. It canalso be caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia, which are sexually transmitteddiseases. You do not have to be sexually active to develop UTI. People who usecatheters or certain types of birth control like diaphragms may also spreadbacteria into the urinary tract, putting them at higher risk. Look forsupplements that contain cranberry extract to help prevent a UTI or tryover-the-counter treatments that contain methenamine, an anti-bacterialingredient used to provide UTI relief.

Read Also: Male Urinary Tract Infection Over The Counter Medication

Why Should I Take The Full Dose

Antibiotics work well against UTIs. You might start to feel better after being on the medicine for just a few days.

But even so, keep taking your medicine. If you stop your antibiotics too soon, you wonât kill all the bacteria in your urinary tract.

These germs can become resistant to antibiotics. That means the meds will no longer kill these bugs in the future. So if you get another UTI, the medication you take might not treat it. Take the full course of your medicine to make sure all the bacteria are dead.

Treatment Options For Urinary Tract Infections

UTI l Urinary Tract Infection & Pyelonephritis Treatment for NCLEX RN & LPN

Ladies, if you think you have a urinary tract infection, you are probably right. One study found that women who self-diagnose a UTI are right 84% of the time.

You can apply this know-how to partner with your health care provider to pick the right treatment The go-to treatment of a UTI, which is caused by a bacteria, is antibiotics. Your questions about treatment decisions can make a difference, especially since antibiotic recommendations have shifted and not all doctors have changed their practices.

Read Also: How To Strengthen Urinary Bladder Muscles

You May Like: Ear Drops For Middle Ear Infection

How Are Urinary Tract Infections Treated

You will need to treat a urinary tract infection. Antibiotics are medicines that kill bacteria and fight an infection. Antibiotics are typically used to treat urinary tract infections. Your healthcare provider will pick a drug that best treats the particular bacteria thats causing your infection. Some commonly used antibiotics can include:

  • Nitrofurantoin.

Its very important that you follow your healthcare providers directions for taking the medicine. Dont stop taking the antibiotic because your symptoms go away and you start feeling better. If the infection is not treated completely with the full course of antibiotics, it can return.

If you have a history of frequent urinary tract infections, you may be given a prescription for antibiotics that you would take at the first onset of symptoms. Other patients may be given antibiotics to take every day, every other day, or after sexual intercourse to prevent the infection. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment option for you if you have a history of frequent UTIs.

Other Over The Counter Products For Uti Prevention

Some OTC products do not directly affect the progress of an acute infection, but could help to prevent UTIs in the future:

However, it is crucial to address the reason you had a UTI happened in the first place.

There are multiple factors that can make you more prone to UTIs, such as certain contraceptive methods , diseases that affect vaginal health etc.

Therefore, a holistic approach to UTI prevention is more effective than just treating an acute infection.

Whats your favorite OTC UTI remedy that worked for you?

Written by Anastasia Visotsky, medically reviewed by Dr. Ogunyemi

Anastasia Visotsky

Also Check: How To Treat Urinary Tract Infection At Home

Also Check: At Home Treatment Sinus Infection

How Lemonaid Can Help You Get Uti Treatment Asap

Lemonaids UTI service makes it quick and convenient for you to get antibiotics to treat your UTI–so convenient that you dont even have to go to a doctors office!

Instead, you can have an online visit with one of our US-based, US-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners via LemonaidHealth.com

If they determine that you have a UTI, they will prescribe you the antibiotic nitrofurantoin , trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole , or cephalexin

You can use Lemonaid’s convenient mobile UTI service as long as you are of female birth sex, 18 years or older, and have not reached menopause yet.

Pain Relief Medication For Urinary Tract Infections

Uricalm Max Strength Urinary Pain Relief 24 Tablets

Phenazopyridine is the go-to pain reliever for UTIs, as it is specifically formulated to ease the most common urinary symptoms, including:

  • The frequent urge to urinate

It is and unapproved medication that is available over the counter or in prescription form. It comes in several brand names and generic options.

Phenazopyridine is not an antibiotic, and it is only used for symptom relief. It will not help cure the infection. Its typically taken 3 times per day after each meal with a large glass of water. The medicine may discolor your urine temporarily to a brownish-red color, but this is a harmless side effect.

Evidence is lacking that taking phenazopyridine and an antibacterial is more beneficial than just the antibacterial by itself after two days. Therefore, phenazopyridine should not be taken for longer than two days when youre taking an antibacterial simultaneously.

Other over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also help alleviate urinary tract pain symptoms, as well as full-body symptoms such as fever.If you are taking an antibiotic, your healthcare provider or pharmacist can help you choose the best analgesic option that wont interact with your antibiotic.

You May Like: Urinary Tract Infection Emergency Room

How Are Urinary Tract Infections Diagnosed

Your doctor will use the following tests to diagnose a urinary tract infection:

  • Urinalysis: This test will examine the urine for red blood cells, white blood cells and bacteria. The number of white and red blood cells found in your urine can actually indicate an infection.
  • Urine culture: A urine culture is used to determine the type of bacteria in your urine. This is an important test because it helps determine the appropriate treatment.

If your infection does not respond to treatment or if you keep getting infections over and over again, your doctor may use the following tests to examine your urinary tract for disease or injury:

  • Ultrasound: In this test, sound waves create an image of the internal organs. This test is done on top of your skin, is painless and doesnt typically need any preparation.
  • Cystoscopy: This test uses a special instrument fitted with a lens and a light source to see inside the bladder from the urethra.
  • CT scan: Another imaging test, a CT scan is a type of X-ray that takes cross sections of the body . This test is much more precise than typical X-rays.

Things You Can Do Yourself

To help ease symptoms of a urinary tract infection :

  • takeparacetamolup to 4 times a day to reduce pain and a high temperature for people with a UTI, paracetamol is usually recommended over NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin
  • you can give childrenliquid paracetamol
  • rest and drink enough fluids so you pass pale urine regularly during the day
  • avoid having sex

Some people take cystitis sachets or cranberry drinks and products every day to prevent UTIs from happening, which may help. However, there’s no evidence they help ease symptoms or treat a UTI if the infection has already started.

Recommended Reading: Can You Get Sick From A Tooth Infection

Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms

  • Pain or burning while urinating
  • Persistent urge to urinate even when bladder is empty
  • Pressure or pain in lower abdomen

Other symptoms may include cloudy or bloody urine with an unusual odor.UTIs can spread to any part of your urinary tract, including the kidneys. If the infection has spread to your kidneys, you may experience:

  • Nausea or vomiting

A kidney infection is a serious condition and requires immediate medical attention. For the most common and uncomplicated UTI, antibiotics are typically taken for 3 to 5 days, but in other cases, a longer course lasting up to 14 days may be prescribed. Even if symptoms resolve quickly, its important to finish the full course of antibiotics. Not doing so can increase the likelihood that the UTI and your pain returns, and it may be harder to treat.

More articles

Popular Articles