Urinary tract infections send more than 10 million to people to the doctor every year, and most resolve themselves within a few days of treatment. However, it’s important to consider how to deal with one if you’re unable to get to a doctor during a crisis. Let’s take a look at how to minimize the chances of developing a UTI and what you can do to treat them naturally at home.
Common Causes
The vast majority of infections are caused by the E. coli bacteria which is ever-present in most of our lower digestive tracts. However, infections usually develop from the accumulation of bacteria due to poor hygiene, the transfer of bacteria through sexual intercourse or bacteria that forms in the urethra due to incomplete urination. Incomplete urination can be caused by a blockage that prevents the bladder from emptying or having to “hold it” on a regular basis.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of an infection include a painful, burning sensation during and after urination, a frequent urge to urinate but nothing comes out, cloudy, smelly urine and abdominal pain. Nausea and vomiting often accompanies moderate to severe infections, and it’s not uncommon for an infected individual to develop a low-grade fever as the body tries to kill off the bacteria. Left untreated, infections can spread to the bladder as well as the kidneys, and kidney failure is a possibility in extreme cases.
Prevention
Most infections can be prevented altogether by following some basic precautions. Drink plenty of fluids in order to create urine that will flush bacteria out of the body. Keep caffeine and alcohol consumption to a minimum as these contain compounds that irritate the bladder. Urinate after sex in order to flush out bacteria that may have been transmitted from your partner. Maintain good hygiene to prevent bacteria from forming in the lower urethra. Don’t use perfume in the genital area, take more showers than baths in order to avoid soaking in bacteria-laden water, and wear breathable underwear to keep the genitals dry.
Natural Remedies
There are a number of remedies that have been proven to prevent, treat and reduce the severity of infections. One of the best is cranberry juice. While cranberry juice won’t kill-off an infection, it can prevent infections from recurring in the future. The active compound in garlic, allicin, contains potent compounds that can inhibit bacterial growth and reduce the severity and duration of UTIs as well. Taking probiotics on a regular basis can also help to keep the development of bacteria that causes infections in check as well. Finally, load up on vitamin C to support the body’s immune system so that it will be able to mount a stronger defense when infections crop up.
At the end of the day, established infections will most-likely need antibiotics, so talk to your doctor about getting a prescription of Cipro or Keflex that you can keep in your bug out bag or survival medicine cabinet. These are stronger than penicillin or amoxicillin, and they can be used to treat a wide-range of other infections as well.
Remember that prevention is key when it comes to minimizing the risk of developing an infection, and it’s important to stay clean, hydrated and to support your immune system, particularly during a prolonged crisis. Make sure that you have plenty of access to water, nutrition and sanitation, and chances are that you’ll be able to avoid being infected altogether.
