How To Quickly Get Rid of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Effectively and Naturally

If you have been treating UTIs with Antibiotics, have tried everything under the sun unsuccessfully or have been dealing with chronic UTI’s I need you to know that there is hope.

The use of antibiotics for prolonged periods of time will weaken your immune system but most importantly kill beneficial bacteria that helps fight infections to begin with. I know you are eager to get relief and finally be pain and discomfort free, but first, you need to know what you are up against so let’s get to it:

What Is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI):

A Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is also known as bladder infection or cystitis. It is a condition in which one or more portions of the urinary tract, including urethra, kidneys, ureter, and bladder, become infected. Research reveals that one in five women suffers from urinary tract infection once in their lifetime.

UTIs are one of the most common bacterial infections that can affect women at any stage of their lifes. Almost 95% of UTI cases are due to bacteria that tend to multiply at the urethral opening and slowly move up to the bladder. However, dehydration and improper hygiene (including before and after intercourse) have been attributed to UTIs.

What Causes a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Some studies reveal that about 90% of urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli bacteria, commonly found in the human intestine and slowly move into the urinary tract. Here, they tend to multiply and cause an infection, resulting in swelling, redness, and pain. Other bacteria, including Chlamydia and Mycoplasma, too, can cause urinary tract infection. If the infection affects the bladder as well, it is known as cystitis.

E. coli is the main reason behind most cystitis cases in women, particularly in younger women. If E. coli moves into the vaginal opening, it may colonize and enter the bladder, which leads to infection. People suffering from diabetes, and kidney stones are more likely to be affected with UTI due to changes in the immune system. Even if you experience trouble urinating, have tubes or catheters placed in their bladder and urethra are more likely to be infected with UTI as bacteria can move freely from an infected catheter to the bladder.

Symptoms of UTI generally start suddenly and also may come with one or more of the following signs:

Pain in the back or the pelvic area

• Vomiting or nausea
• Increased urge to urinate repeatedly
• Pressure or discomfort in the lower stomach
• Fever can occur from time to time
• Pain and burning sensation while urinating
• back or lower pelvic area pain

>> “You May Like  9 Probiotic Foods You Should Be EAting Right Now To Improve You Gut Health “

Here is How to Stop a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) without Antibiotics

The best treatment for a UTI’s is to prevent having one in the first place.  Yes, that is not what you want to hear right now, but a UTI is a sign that the PH in your urinary tract is out of balance, and most importantly that there is more of the “bad bacteria” than the beneficial bacteria in the urinary tract.   Where do I find the good bacteria?  Glad you asked.

Beneficial bacteria can be found in Probiotics and cultured foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, or organic plain yogurt (Skip the fruity once because they are often loaded with sugar). Probiotic-rich foods have a higher concentration of friendly bacteria in your gut and Urinary tract at once.  However,  If you are unable to find or make probiotic foods try taking an oral probiotic (Try an oral Probiotic here).

D-Mannose

D-Mannose is a naturally occurring simple sugar, closely related (in chemical terms, a “stereoisomer”) to glucose. Small amounts of D-mannose are metabolized by our bodies; more than small amounts are excreted promptly into the urine. But how can even large quantities of a simple natural sugar do anything at all to cure over 90% of all bladder and urinary tract infections?

The answer is found in the interaction between D-mannose and the bacterium found in over 90% of all bladder infections, Escherichia coli (“E. coli”). [No, that’s not the infamous E. coli mutant associated with unsanitary food processing that’s hospitalized and killed people. It’s the normal E. coli found as part of the “normal microflora” in every intestinal tract.] But even normal E. coli don’t belong in the bladder and urinary tract; in these areas it multiplies and becomes an undesirable infection.

But why doesn’t the normal downflow of urine from the kidneys through the ureters into the bladder and thence beyond simply carry the E. coli right along with it? What allows the E. coli to “stick” to the inner walls of the bladder and even work their way upward (like “Spiderman”) in some cases reaching as far as the kidneys?

The “cell walls” of each E. coli are covered with tiny fingerlike projections. The very tips of these projections are an amino acid-sugar complex, a “glycoprotein” also called a “lectin”. E. coli “lectins” have the unfortunate (for us) capability of “sticking” the bacteria to the inside walls of our bladders and urinary tracts, so they can’t be rinsed out by urination.

Unfortunately for the E. coli, D-mannose “sticks” to E. coli lectins even better than E. coli lectins “stick” to human cells. When we take a large quantity of D-mannose, almost all of it spills into the urine through our kidneys, literally “coating” any E.coli present so they can no longer “stick” to the inside walls of the bladder and urinary tract. The E. coli are literally rinsed away with normal urination!  (Try D-mannose here.)  [3]

Read the full article here

Lactobacillus

Not all bacteria is bad. In fact, a decrease in healthy vaginal flora can make it easier for bacteria to thrive and colonize your bladder. Research  found that having adequate amounts of Lactobacilli can be protective against urinary pathogens.  Consuming natural probiotics (kefir, cultured foods, kombucha, yogurt) or taking a probiotic daily can help balance your vaginal flora and protect from infection.

Vitamin C

Studies show that adding Vitamin C supplements to your diet can help acidify urine and reduce your risk of developing an infection.  Changing the pH of urine makes it difficult for bacteria to survive and can lower your risk of recurrent infections.

“You May Like  9 Probiotic Foods You Should Be EAting Right Now To Improve You Gut Health “

Goldenseal:

This herb contains a compound called Berberine, which has been shown in some individuals to reduce infection. It works through a similar mechanism to cranberry by preventing bacteria from clinging to the walls of the urinary tract. Goldenseal has not been shown to help everyone, however, and can occasionally cause changes in blood pressure, so check with your physician before starting this or any other new herbal supplement. {2}

You doctor may prescribe antibiotics to clear up the infection. However,  antibiotics aren’t always the answer, because Antibiotics kill beneficial gut flora, and there is always a risk of side effects. Thus it is important that you practice good hygiene to keep the infection away.

Note: If you are having a fever, chills, back pain, or nausea in addition to your urinary symptoms you should contact your OBGYN immediately. 

Preventing a UTI Naturally

The most important part of the overall health of your urinary tract is drinking lots of pure, filtered water daily, and consume lots of natural probiotics. Adequate hydration is incredibly important for preventing UTIs.  Limit sugar intake or if you are prone to UTI’s, sugar must be avoided as bacteria feeds off of sugar and so you’ll keep the colony well fed.   Not what you want while treating a UTI.  As a woman, there are actually additional hygiene steps you can take to preserve a healthy urinary tract:

• Don’t resist the natural urge to go.
• Wipe from front to back. E coli is often found in urinary tract infections plus you will minimize the risk of bacteria from entering your urethra.
• Avoid douching, baths, Jacuzzis, and hot tubs if you are prone to UTI’s or at least while you have one
• Spermicides and the diaphragm increase the incidences of UTI’s
• Cleanse your genital area before and after sexual intercourse
• Avoid douching as they disrupt the good bacteria in the urinary tract
• Only use white unscented toilet tissue to avoid dyes and chemicals.

Finally, If a UTI is not treated or improperly treated, there is a risk of the infection spreading to the kidneys.  Seek immediate help if your symptoms do not improve within a few days.

How have you treated a UTI in the past? What has worked and what hasn’t? 

References

http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_symptoms_of_urinary_tract_infections_000036_3.htm
http://www.everydayhealth.com/columns/shilpi-agarwal-your-holistic-health-guide/4-ways-to-naturally-stop-a-uti-in-its-tracks/ [2]

http://www.tahomaclinicblog.com/d-mannose-for-bladder-and-kidney-infections/ [3]