How Can I Manage Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)?

Do you use antibiotics to treat a urinary tract infection prescribed by your doctor?

Do you drink a lot of fluids (about 8 glasses of water a day)?

Do you avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages and soft drinks that contain lemon juice?

Do you use a heating pad?

Do you drink unsweetened cranberry juice?

Have you increased your intake of vitamin C (in the form of supplements or have you increased your intake of foods rich in vitamin C such as red and green peppers, oranges, grapefruit,kiwi, and broccoli)?

Do you use over-the-counter pain medications (paracetamol)?

Are you taking probiotics (two hours before or two hours after taking antibiotics)?

Based on your answers, there are several other ways that can help you manage urinary tract infection (UTI). UTI is usually treated with antibiotics. To help flush bacteria out of your urinary tract, you need to drink plenty of water. Aim for about 8 glasses of water a day. Avoid alcohol, caffeinated beverages as well as soft drinks that contain lemon juice as they can irritate the bladder and worsen the frequent need to urinate. If you feel discomfort or pressure in the bladder, you can apply a warm heating pad to your abdomen. You can also drink unsweetened cranberry juice, which has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

Based on your answers, you know a lot about how to manage urinary tract infection. Along with the use of antibiotics, be sure to take probiotics that can increase the level of good bacteria in the intestines and reduce possible side effects associated with the use of antibiotics. You can occasionally take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) to relieve pain. You can also increase your intake of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin C contributes to a better function of the immune system, and at the same time makes the urine more acidic, which contributes to killing the bacteria that cause the infection.