The human bladder is a biological marvel, helping pump out wastes from the body round the clock, aiding wholesome health and safety from disease causing bacteria. Just like every organ of the digestive system, the bladder has to be healthy, so that it does not default in its functions. Bladder infections are common and in fact, any person can get a bladder infection. When you feel a burning sensation or a stabbing while urinating, it is more likely that you have problems with your urinary bladder. Let’s understand the most common causes of bladed infections, and some home remedies that help you prevent damage and recover from existing infections.
The Most Common Causes of Bladder Infection You Need to be Wary Of
The growth of bacteria in the bladder or the urethra is the most usual cause of bladder infection. By definition, the urethra is the part of the digestion system, which takes urine out of the body.
A study by The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has found out that bacteria named Escherichia coli (E. coli) causes majority bladder infections in people. This bacterium is naturally present in the large intestines. When the number of bacteria increase in the body and are not properly eliminated through urination, they result in infecting the bladder.
Though any person can suffer from bladder infection, this particular health problem is more common in women than it is in men and children. Bladder infections, commonly known as the Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), can be treated successfully using a number of home remedies and lifestyle adjustments.
How to Get Rid of Bladder Infections?
We’ve brought together the time tested home remedies to help you combat bladder infections; read on to find out.
1. Water Intake
Drink plenty of water on a daily basis. Water is one of the best remedies that your doctor will recommend when you have urinary problems. Drink at least 12 glasses of water on a daily basis. Drinking plenty of water helps to flush away the bacteria that cause infection, eventually putting you on the right track for recovery. Drinking good amount of water helps in diluting your urine, thus resulting in reducing the burning sensation and making the process of urination less painful. If you are not used to taking water, start slow, but make sure you develop a habit of taking plenty of fluids, especially water.
2. Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice is an awesome remedy to treat bladder infections. Cranberry juice keeps UTI causing bacteria from sticking on the walls of the bladder. The remedy is effective for UTI prevention because it flushes all bacteria from the region, thus speeding up the healing process of the urethra. Make sure you take unsweetened juice – that is – juice without sugar. Taking juice with sugar is not recommended, as it will add nothing but glucose to the body.
3. Vitamin C intake
If you are suffering from serious pain in your bladder, Vitamin C could be the most powerful remedy for you. Vitamin C is a water soluble nutrient present in many fruits and vegetables and it also functions as an antioxidant. Vitamin C has the power to make urine more acidic, and this fights and flushes the bacteria present in the urinary tract away. People with active UTI should ensure that they take vitamin C on a daily basis because this will help to get rid of the problem. Dietary sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, like orange, lemon, berries, kiwi, guava, papaya etc. and vegetables like red bell pepper, green pea, broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, cauliflower, spinach and potatoes.
4. Using Heat
Several researches carried out on bladder infection reveal that the inflammation and irritation from UTI cause burning sensation, pressure and pain around the pubic area. The best way to obtain relief from this situation is by applying a soothing, heating pad. Doing this will help to reduce the pain in the best way possible and in the end fasten the healing process from the disease. You need to be careful when applying the heating pad though. Make sure you keep the heating as low as possible. Do not do the heating for a long time; 15 minutes are just good enough so that no adverse effect of overheating happens.
5. Frequent Urination
One of the reasons why bacteria are more likely to grow in the bladder is because of holding back of urine. When you hold urine in your bladder instead of releasing it, you increase the chances of bacterial growing in the bladder causing the eruption of UTI. To prevent this from happening and releasing the already spreading bacteria, you need to make sure you urinate on a regular basis. It is best to increase the intake of fluids and water to make the process of urination more frequent. This will speed up your recovery process and help you combat the infection quickly.
6. Using Baking Soda
Urinary Tract Infections are very painful and annoying. Urination may become a problem and in the end, you may prefer to hold back your urine, and this again, is not safe at all as it can aggravate the problem. Baking soda can be a great remedy for this problem. What you need to do is to mix a glass of water and half a teaspoonful of baking soda and take on a daily basis. This will ease out burning sensation and trim down the frequent urges to urinate.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar acts as a natural antibiotic to treat bladder infection. It is rich in enzymes, potassium and other important minerals that play effective role in curbing the further growth of the bacteria responsible for causing bladder infection. Mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it twice a day.
8. Cucumbers
When ailing from Urinary Tract Infection, in case you find it hard to keep drinking water throughout the day, then cucumbers can act as an alternative. Cucumbers have high water content and consuming them makes up for your body’s requirement of extra fluid needed for curing your UTI.
9. Sage
Sage is an important herb that can effectively cure bladder infections naturally. The herb is full of anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and astringent qualities; thereby it reduces pain and inflammation in the pubic area. The herb also destroys bacteria helping in lowering the infection at a rapid pace.
10. Parsley water
Parsley water is an excellent diuretic and when consumed can speed up your UTI healing process. Drinking parsley water removes excess of toxins and bacteria from the body through an increased output of urination. Parsley water is prepared by adding parsley leaves in a glass of boiling water, which is allowed to cool after which the leaves are strained away.
11. Dandelion
Dandelion herb is popularly used to treat kidney ailments and water retention problems. It eliminates bacteria from the body through proper urination. It can be taken in form of salad or can be added in tea.
12. Herbal Solutions
Celery, Urva ursi, golden seal, marshmallow root and Oregon grape root can help you fight the E coli bacteria, which is responsible for UTI. It is advisable to seek medical approval by your physician before using these herbs.
13. Ginger Tea
Ginger possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. Taking ginger in form of ginger tea helps in destroying infection causing bacteria and reduction of pain caused by UTI.
14. Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice is not only a refreshing and enjoyable natural beverage, but also it has amazing medicinal quality for combating bladder infections. Pineapple is rich in bromelain, an active ingredient which destroys E Coli and other infection causing bacteria. Drinking one glass of pineapple juice two times a day will certainly result in reducing the level of bladder infection.
15. No Caffeine, Sugars and Chocolates
Till the time UTI subsides, it is advisable to avoid caffeine because caffeine being a stimulant increases the heart rate, which can circulate bacteria more quickly to the affected area. Dr. Wendy Hodsdon, a well-known physician and naturopath advises that people with UTIs should also avoid sugar, as bacteria feeds on sugar and grows. So it is best to refrain from eating refined sugars in form of foods such as such as cakes, chocolates, cookies, chips, and puddings. Once the infection is cured, you can of course go back to these goodies!
16. Using Antibiotics
It is important to keep in mind that some infections are serious and do not get subsided by frequent urination and by taking home remedies. So in case the situation gets uncontrollable and the infection level doesn’t go down, it becomes important to take yourself some antibiotics that will help get rid of the severe situation. Your doctor will recommend the best antibiotics to use and the length of treatment will depend on the type of antibiotics that your physician advices that you take.
