Bladder Infections, Prevention And Ten Home Remedies!
What is Bladder Infections?
Also known as urinary tract infections, bladder infections are mainly caused by bacteria. Symptoms of bladder infections include burning urination or cloudy urine or abdomen pain. In case the infection spreads then the individual might experience high body temperature, chills, nausea, back pain, and diarrhea.
To eliminate such uncomfortable symptoms of bladder infections, one can resort to either over-the-counter antibiotics or home remedies that are often considered more safe and effective.
Types of Bladder Infections:
One of the common types is:
1. Urethritis:
Urethritis is the inflammation of the urethra. In such cases, the patient suffers from burning urination as the tube through which the urine passes is swollen.
2. Pyelonephritis:
Another type is pyelonephritis which mainly affects the kidney. In this type of infection, the bacteria travel through the bladder and start affecting the kidneys. This mainly occurs when the patient is suffering from a really bad case of urinary tract disorder.
Sign And Symptoms:
Urinary tract infections don’t always cause signs and symptoms, but when they do they may include:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate.
- A burning sensation when urinating.
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine.
- Urine that appears cloudy.
- Urine that appears red, bright pink or cola-colored a sign of blood in the urine.
- Strong-smelling urine.
- Pelvic pain, in women especially in the center of the pelvis and around the area of the pubic bone
- UTIs may be overlooked or mistaken for other conditions in older adults.
Causes of Bladder Infections:
Urinary tract infections typically occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. Although the urinary system is designed to keep out such microscopic invaders, these defenses sometimes fail. When that happens, bacteria may take hold and grow into a full-blown infection in the urinary tract.
Before we get into the effective remedies that will cure your disorder, let us understand the causes of bladder infections.
- Women can be affected by such infections after getting involved in sexual intercourse. In such cases, the bacteria can reach the bladder through the urethra and cause a bladder infection.
- Also, diaphragms can also cause infections in women.
- In men, the infection can also be caused due to unsafe sexual intercourse.
Prevention of Bladder Infections:
You can take these steps to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections:
- Drink plenty of liquids, especially water: Drinking water helps dilute your urine and ensures that you’ll urinate more frequently allowing bacteria to be flushed from your urinary tract before an infection can begin.
- Drink cranberry juice: Although studies are not conclusive that cranberry juice prevents UTIs, it is likely not harmful.
- Wipe from front to back: Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement helps prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
- Empty your bladder soon after intercourse: Also, drink a full glass of water to help flush bacteria.
- Avoid potentially irritating feminine products: Using deodorant sprays or other feminine products, such as douches and powders, in the genital area can irritate the urethra.
- Change your birth control method: Diaphragms, or unlubricated or spermicide-treated condoms, can all contribute to bacterial growth
Diagnosis of Bladder Infections:
Bladder infections are diagnosed with the help of urine examination. If required, urine culture examination, which is conducted to study the growth of bacteria within a period of 48 hours, is suggested.
Treatment of Bladder Infections:
- Generally, certain antibiotics are prescribed for the treatment of bladder infections.
- Normally, antibiotics cure the infection within a fortnight period.
- It is important that the patient completes the complete course of antibiotics.
- This will help in the complete elimination of bacteria and also prevent the recurrence of bladder infection.
Also,
- The use of high doses of Vitamin A, C and E has produced phenomenal results in bladder infection cure.
- An increase in fluid intake will also help up to a certain extent.
- Supplements like colloidal silver, colloidal gold etc can be used as a complementary medication for faster relief and prevention of bladder infections.
Children who get bladder infections should be treated immediately with antibiotics and the same case applies to the elderly. Bladder infection treatment should be started immediately to prevent the risks of developing serious complications. With minor infections, the best option of treatment would be home remedies for bladder infection.
Bladder Infections Do and Don’t:
- 1. Do drink plenty of water each day to flush the body of the bacteria. You should drink at least 10 glasses per day.
- 2. Don’t drink cranberry juice till you are red in the face. Though this remedy can be effective it can also be abused by the high levels of fructose (sugars).
- 3. Do take a vitamin C supplement of 250-1000 mg per day. This will keep your immune system healthy. You should also regularly incorporate foods rich in vitamin C in your diet which include fruits and vegetables.
- 4. Don’t eat high sugar foods. Many studies have found a correlation between high sugar diets and bladder infections. Do look at labels and lower your sugar intake.
- 5. Do urinate frequently. If you hold your urine regularly, you also run the risk of developing an infection regularly.
- 6. Don’t eat high acidic foods. You should drink less coffee and less alcohol because of their acid levels.
- 7. Do regularly eat acidophilus yogurt several times per week to encourage a healthy supply of “good” bacteria in your digestive and urinary systems.
Note:
Cranberries have always been known as the UTI fruit remedy. However, recent research has proven the ability of cranberries to inhibit the E Coli bacteria (cause of the infection) binding with the lining of the bladder. During the 5 year study, scientists found that cranberry extracts contain compounds called “proanthocyanidins” which fight against the infection.
Popular Bladder Infections Home Remedies:
When one is choosing home remedies for bladder infections, one must be patient and allow the natural cure to work wonders.
1. Cucumber Juice:
- Known to have a positive diuretic effect, one can consume cucumber juice at least thrice a day to treat bladder infections.
- Mix a teaspoon of honey and lime juice to the cucumber juice and you have a natural bladder infection treatment.
2. Cranberry:
- Individuals suffering from severe bladder infections can opt to consumer cranberry extracts, juice, or pills.
- Cranberry in any form is known to effectively flush out the bladder infection causing bacteria.boost
3. Drumstick Flowers:
- Another great herbal remedy is to consume a teaspoon of freshly extracted drumstick flowers.
- One can also mix some coconut water and consume it at least twice on a daily basis.
4. Radish Leaves:
- The bladder infection can also be treated with radish leaf juice.
- Have it on a daily basis for two weeks and it will surely treat your infection.
5. Spinach:
- Fresh spinach juice mixed with fresh coconut water can effectively treat bladder infections.
- The effectiveness is attributed to the nitrates and the potassium of spinach that works as a safe diuretic.
6. Lemon:
- Mix lemon juice with boiling water.
- Next, let the mixture cool and sip this mixture every two hours.
- This is known to subside the pain that one feels when one is suffering from bladder infections.
- Also, this concoction helps in stopping any bleeding.
7. Sandalwood Oil:
- One of the most effective remedies is sandalwood oil.
- On a daily basis, one can start using oil drops and this can treat your bladder infection.
8. Vitamin C:
- Clarifying the blood is one of the first steps that need to be taken, if and when one notices the onset of bladder infections.
- Consuming Vitamin C capsules can help you do so.
9. Goldenseal:
Known to contain high levels of antibiotic properties, goldenseal supplements are effective but one must not have it if one is pregnant or nursing.
Lifestyle Remedies for Bladder Infections:
Hot Water:
In case the pain is excruciating then one can use hot water. Consuming warm water or use it to wash the body part on a daily basis.
Cold Compresses:
The application of cold compresses to the stomach area can relieve any congestion you are feeling in the pelvic area. Coldwater compression can also help in healing the skin from any rashes you are suffering from the bacterial infection. But while applying the compresses, make sure that you do not chill the skin.
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Disclaimer: “Nothing in this article makes any claim to offer cures or treatment of any disease or illness. If you are sick please consult with your doctor.”
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