10 Home Remedies For Bladder Infections
A bladder infection falls under the category of urinary tract infections—any sort of infection that affects the bladder, the urethra, or any other part of the urinary system. Bladder infections are quite common, and millions of people fall victim to some sort of bladder infection every year. There are a number of things that can cause a UTI. Fungi and viruses are two common causes, but the most common cause is some sort of bacteria that makes its way into the urinary tract. Because of the close proximity of the anus and vagina, women are more likely to experience UTIs than men. About 80% of UTIs are caused by one of two strains of bacteria, known as E. Coli and Staphylococcus.
The symptoms of these infections are usually quite similar, regardless of the cause. People may experience a degree of discomfort or pain when they are urinating, changes to the color or appearance of their urine, or experience bleeding in their urine. Bladder infections can be quite painful, and many people are quick to run to the doctor to seek assistance. In serious cases, this can certainly be helpful—however, doctors typically prescribe strong antibiotics, which are often known to cause side effects on their own.
Fortunately, for people who don’t want to seek pharmaceutical aid, there are a number of natural and home remedies that can be useful for helping to ward off or eliminate a bladder infection. You’ve probably heard that cranberry juice is great for fighting off bladder infections, but there are a number of other alternatives that we’ll discuss in this article that can help you fight off these symptoms.
Home Remedy #1: Hydration
One of the best things that you can do in regards to a urinary tract infection is try to prevent it from happening in the first place, and one of the easiest ways to go about doing this is to make sure that you stay hydrated. People who are chronically dehydrated are much more likely to experience a urinary tract infection.
The reason for this is because staying hydrated ensures that you will be urinating relatively frequently, and this helps to ensure that you’re flushing bacteria out of your body. This lowers the chances of developing a UTI.
Home Remedy #2: Vitamin C
There is a lot of evidence that vitamin C can help to protect and fight symptoms of UTIs. Vitamin C helps to enhance the acidity of the urine, which makes it harder for bacteria to survive in the urinary tract.
Vitamin C can be obtained in a number of ways, such as from your diet and from supplements. In regards to fighting off bladder infections, many people find that taking a vitamin C supplement is the most effective way to get the required amount. A study done on pregnant women revealed that those who were taking a vitamin C supplement were half as likely to develop a UTI than those who weren’t.
Home Remedy #3: Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice is one of the best natural sources of vitamin C, and it’s known that vitamin C can help to protect you from UTIs.
If you’re going to use cranberry juice to help fight off a UTI, it’s best that you get unsweetened cranberry juice. The flavor might be a bit intense, but the sugar and other ingredients included in sweetened cranberry juice may actually make the infection worse.
Home Remedy #4: Probiotics
Probiotics are often associated with improved digestive health, but taking them can also help to prevent a UTI. One strain of probiotic in particular, Lactobacillus, has been shown to help ward off UTIs in women. They do this by helping to restore balance to the bacteria in the gut.
Another important thing to note is that if you do choose to use medical antibiotics to kill your infection, it’s important to use probiotics afterward to help restore balance to the damaged bacterial culture in your gut.
Home Remedy #5: Garlic
One of the most powerful aspects of garlic is the fact that it can be used as an antibiotic. It’s not as strong as some pharmaceutical antibiotics, but in the natural world, it comes about as close as you can get.
Garlic is such a powerful antibiotic that it’s recommended that you use probiotics to restore balance to your gut afterward. Garlic taken raw is effective but can be very harsh on the stomach.
Home Remedy #6: Clove Oil
Clove oil is another powerful natural antibiotic that also functions as an antifungal and antiviral compound. When taken internally, clove oil can help ward off the bacteria that contribute to urinary tract infections.
Clove oil shouldn’t be taken for more than two weeks at a time, and because it’s so powerful, you should do so under the watchful eye of a nutritionist or a healthcare practitioner.
Home Remedy #7: Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is another essential oil that’s been known to possess powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties for quite a long time. It’s one of the most widely used natural remedies for fighting off colds and other infections, and it can also be used for helping to ward off UTIs.
It’s best to mix the oregano oil with water before taking because it’s quite strong, and it shouldn’t be used for more than a couple weeks without medical supervision. Use probiotics after taking oregano oil for extended periods.
Home Remedy #8: Good Hygiene
Good hygiene is important for preventing any type of infection, but women should be especially aware of their hygienic practices when trying to avoid UTIs.
To avoid spreading any bacteria from the bowel into the urinary tract, make sure to always wipe from front to back.
Home Remedy #9: Urinate Frequently
It’s a good idea to make sure that you urinate frequently. Urinating infrequently gives bacteria a chance to thrive in your urinary tract and can make you more susceptible to developing an infection.
It’s also a good idea to urinate soon after having intercourse to prevent any bacterial spread.
Home Remedy #10: Avoid Nonoxynol-9
Another good thing to do is avoid using nonoxynol-9. Many prophylactics include nonoxynol-9 with them to increase their efficacy, but this can irritate the urinary tract and can make it easier for bacteria to grow.
If you’re using prophylactics, try to avoid using ones with nonoxynol-9 and make sure to urinate after taking them off.
