A urinary tract infection is marked by a painful burning sensation that occurs when you urinate. If left untreated, it can affect your bladder, urethra, kidneys, and ureter. Women are more likely to experience UTIs, and it can become dangerous if they are pregnant.
You may have a UTI if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Stinging sensation or pain when urinating
- Urgency to pee but little comes out
- Pink colored urine
- Cloudy or smelly urine
- Fever
- Confusion
- Fatigue
Almost all UTIs are caused by bacterial infections. This is why it is vital that you keep bacteria levels in check. There are ways you can do this by drinking a lot of fluids to help flush out the bladder. Emptying your bladder immediately after sex will help prevent bacteria from entering the urethra. Wiping back to front after a bowel movement can cause rectal bacteria from entering the urethra. Keep your private areas clean with organic soap products that contain no additives.
The conventional way to treat a urinary tract infection is through antibiotics, but you can use diet to keep bacteria levels in check and help prevent a UTI from occurring. Here’s what you should know.
Lauricidin
Lauricidin is an antibacterial and antiviral supplement that helps the immune system destroy the bacteria. Derived from coconut oil, Lauricidin (Amazon) is non-toxic, hypoallergenic, and is known to also support digestive health.
Vitamin C
It’s no secret that vitamin C helps boost the immune system, which is essential for keeping UTIs at bay. Consuming large amounts of vitamin C can cause your urine to become acidic, limiting the growth of bacteria. Fruits that contain lots of vitamin C include guava, kiwi, strawberries, and papaya.
Cranberry Juice
Cranberry juice contains a compound called D-mannose, which can flush out E. coli and prevent it from attaching to the urinary tract lining. It can also help prevent UTIs in the future. Since sugar can weaken the immune system, you should stick with unsweetened cranberry juice. If it’s simply too sour for your taste, you can take concentrated D-mannose in pill form with supplements like Harmony (Amazon).
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) can help you reset your bladder’s pH. It can be difficult to drink on its own, but you can mix a tablespoon with 8-ounces of water. It can also be added to salad dressings or mixed in with cranberry juice.
Essential Oils
Essential oils have a variety of benefits, but they can also be helpful in alleviating UTI symptoms. Oils reported being beneficial include lemongrass, frankincense, clove, tea tree, oregano, juniper berry, and myrrh. Since the skin around the bladder area tends to be sensitive, using a diffuser is an acceptable workaround.
Urinary tract infections are a common occurrence—especially among women. So do what you can to prevent them from occurring. If you do have a UTI, then these all-natural treatments could help alleviate your symptoms.