Post by Your Home Companion on Feb 25, 2015 16:24:03 GMT
Home Remedies for Urinary Tract Infections
There are several things you can do to help alleviate the pain and flush out bacteria when you have a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection).
- Drink plenty of water.
- Drink unsweetened cranberry juice.
[li]Eat yogurt with live cultures.[/li]Yogurt contains probiotics, which is good bacteria. The good bacteria flushes away the bad bacteria. It is also helpful when you are on antibiotics because antibiotics destroy or flush away both bad and good bacteria. And if you are elderly and have a UTI, you should be on an antibiotic. A probiotic supplement or pill can also be helpful if you don’t like yogurt or you’re full from all that water you’re drinking:)
[li]Avoid irritating food or drinks. [/li] Caffeine, carbonated drinks, spicy food, alcohol, artificial sweeteners and even nicotine can cause further pain and slow down the healing process.
[li]Empty your bladder again and again.[/li]Even if it’s only a small amount, empty your bladder as often as you can, because while you’re eliminating urine, you are also eliminating bad bacteria.
[li]Use a heating pad.[/li]UTIs can cause pain and burning in your lower abdomen or pubic area. Applying a heating pad for 15 minute intervals help eliminate some of the pain.
There are other home remedies you can use, but these are the remedies that I personally know about and have seen some success with. This is not a list of things to do instead of taking an antibiotic, if you are elderly and have a UTI, you should be taking an antibiotic.
Please remember it is extremely important that if you believe an elderly loved one has a UTI you have them seek medical attention immediately. UTIs in the elderly can be life threatening.
And please remember that sometimes the elderly usually don’t run high temperatures or feel pain or discomfort when they have a UTI, their symptoms often to appear to be the beginning stages of Alzheimer. Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
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