Can I cure a UTI at home?!

Can I cure a UTI at home?

I think I have a UTI... what should I do? I have heard of cranberry juice and lots of water... does this help? Any advise? I go to college in a small town, and there is no possibility of a doctor visit for another couple weeks... so I really need some info! Thanks!

Hi Lauren

Causes
Urinary problems can be due to a variety of factors. The most common causes are bladder obstruction, benign prostate hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), bacterial infections within the urinary tract, stretching or aging of the muscles of the pelvic floor, injuries from childbirth, cysts or fibroids on the uterus that push down on the bladder, excess stress, allergies, and a delayed reaction to recent infections of the respiratory tract, heart, skin, or kidney disease. All of these factors must be screened for and treated before long-term relieve of urinary problems can be achieved.


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Natural Cures

Aromatherapy: For urinary tract infections, use sandalwood, bergamot, or juniper essential oils.

Diet: For urinary infections, organic cranberry juice can help inhibit bacteria from sticking to the cells lining the bladder. For urinary incontinence, avoid all beverages containing caffeine, as it has been shown to cause the muscles around the bladder to contract and exert additional pressure. The following foods and additives can also irritate the bladder: coffee, non-herbal tea, artificial sweeteners, carbonated beverages, and tomato-based foods. Also screen for and eliminate all foods to which you are allergic. Otherwise, eat an organic, whole foods diet.

Herbs: An infusion of equal parts bearberry, dandelion leaf, and nettle can be helpful for soothing irritations along the urinary tract. Drink hot, three times a day or as needed. For blood in the urine, drink comfrey root tea. For difficult or burning urination, a mixture of fennel, horsetail, jasmine flowers, and licorice tea is helpful. Buchu, burdock, coriander, cornsilk, echinacea, goldenrod, juniper berries, marshmallow root, and shave grass teas are useful for relieving symptoms of urinary tract infections. Skullcap is recommended for urinary incontinence.

D-mannose powder is a very powerful urinary tract cleanser that makes it difficult for bacteria to gain a foothold in the urinary tract.

Homeopathy: Aconite, Apis mel., and Cantharis are useful homeopathic remedies for most types of urinary problems.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the application of water, ice, steam and hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating a wide range of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a self-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and Day Spas use Hydrotherapy as part of treatment. I suggest several at-home hydrotherapy treatments.

Juice Therapy: Organic cranberry juice.

Lifestyle: To address incontinence, contract the bladder muscles 100-500 times throughout the day. This can greatly improve bladder control.

Nutritional Supplementation: Recommended nutrients include, vitamin B1, vitamin C, and a complete multivitamin/multimineral formula. Adding _ teaspoon of baking soda to pure, filtered water can help alkalize the body, thereby alleviating urinary problems due to over-acidity in the body.

Alternative Professional Care
If your symptoms persist despite the above measures, seek the help of a qualified health professional. The following professional care therapies have all been shown to be useful for treating urinary problems: Acupressure, Acupuncture, Biofeedback Training (for incontinence), Detoxification Therapy, Energy Medicine (Light Beam Generator and Ondamed), Environmental Medicine, Magnetic Field Therapy, Naturopathic Medicine, Osteopathy, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Yoga.

Best of health to you