A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when bacteria (usually from the perineum) reach the bladder through the urethra. These infections can occur spontaneously, but sexual intercourse, use of the diaphragm, and infrequent urination also increase the risk of UTI in women. The bacteria will cause inflammation of the urethra and bladder, which can cause mild or severe pain. The sudden onset of UTI symptoms include difficulty urinating, a feeling of urgency to urinate, increased frequency of urination, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, and cloudy and sometimes bloody urine. Fever rarely accompanies a UTI, but it may also occur. Painkillers and other pain-reducing techniques can only help in the short term, so UTI treatment will do more to control pain than medication alone. Learn how to relieve UTI pain while you wait to see your doctor.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Using Liquid
Step 1. Drink plenty of fluids
Drinking more fluids will help you flush bacteria from your bladder and urethra, and prevent UTIs from getting worse. This can help reduce discomfort or pain when you urinate.
- Drink enough fluids so that your urine is bright yellow in color. The color of your urine may not turn clear no matter how much fluid you drink, and it may appear cloudy or slightly bloody due to an infection. Try to drink until the urine is bright yellow like straw.
- Drinking plenty of fluids will also flush bacteria from the bladder and help speed up the recovery process.
Step 2. Stay away from certain foods and drinks
Certain foods and drinks will irritate your bladder and make you want to urinate more often. Try to avoid foods and drinks such as caffeine, carbonated drinks, chocolate, and citrus fruits.
While suffering from a UTI, stop consuming the above foods and drinks. You may return to consuming it slowly after the pain and the frequency of wanting to urinate decreases
Step 3. Drink cranberry or blueberry juice
Cranberries and blueberries are beneficial when you have a UTI because they contain components that can prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder or urethra. Thus, this fruit juice can help reduce inflammation, infection, and recurrence of infection.
- Try to consume the purest cranberry and blueberry juices possible. 100% pure cranberry juice is also available, so try to find this product. Also, look for fruit juices that don't contain added sugar or high fructose corn syrup. There are products that contain 5%-33% cranberry juice, but also contain added or artificial sweeteners so the benefits are not as good as 100% pure cranberry juice. So, strive to get the purest product possible.
- You can also take cranberry extract pills as a supplement. This option is quite good if you want to reduce your sugar intake. Be sure to follow the supplement use guidelines.
- Do not take supplements if you are allergic to cranberry juice. Consult a doctor before using supplements if you are pregnant, nursing, or are planning a pregnancy.
- Do not take cranberry supplements or drink the juice if you are taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin.
- Fruit juice and cranberry extract can be used as long as you have an infection as well as a preventative measure.
Step 4. Drink ginger tea
Ginger tea can help relieve inflammation. This drink can also help reduce the nausea you feel. You can also use it in supplement form. Cooking with ginger as a spice does not provide the same effectiveness as drinking it in tea or supplements because the levels are different.
- Consult a pharmacist or doctor first if you have health problems or are taking medication before including ginger in the diet. Ginger may interact with certain medications and supplements.
- Ginger can cause a mild burning sensation in the chest and diarrhea if used in high doses. Doses that are considered high are more than two cups of tea in a day or more than the recommended dose for supplements.
- Do not use ginger rhizome, ginger tea, or supplements if you have gallstones, are about to have surgery, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant without consulting your doctor first. Do not use ginger rhizome, tea, or supplements if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking blood-thinning medications.
Method 2 of 4: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Urinate as needed
While urinating may be painful during your UTI, be sure to do it when you feel the need. If you drink a lot of fluids, you may have to urinate every hour or two. Don't hold it in.
Retaining urine will trap bacteria in the bladder and spur their growth
Step 2. Use a heating pad
To help relieve pain or discomfort in your stomach and lower back, try placing a heating pad on these areas. Make sure the temperature of the pillow is warm enough and not hot. Do not place the heating pad directly on the surface of the skin as this may cause burns. Place a towel or other cloth between the pillow and your skin.
- To make a heating pad at home, wet a washcloth and then warm it in the microwave. Once removed from the microwave, place the washcloth in a plastic bag. Do not apply directly to the skin surface.
- Do not use a heating pad for more than 15 minutes. Or your skin could burn. Shorten the use time of the heating pad if you use it in higher temperatures.
Step 3. Soak the baking soda solution
Baking soda can help reduce UTI pain. Put the baking soda in the tub then fill it with a little water. The water in the tub should be enough to soak your buttocks and urethra.
You can also purchase a device called a sitz bath, which is specially designed to be placed in the toilet. This tool is useful if you don't want or don't have time to soak in a regular bathtub
Step 4. Use over-the-counter medications to treat bladder contractions
Medications containing phenazopyridine can help relieve pain from bladder contractions because it numbs the urethra and bladder. This will prevent the burning sensation when you urinate. One of these drugs is Pyridium which can be taken 200 mg three times a day as needed for two days. Another over-the-counter drug is Uristat. These drugs will change the color of urine to red or orange.
- Be aware that if you are taking medication that contains phenazopyridine, your healthcare provider will not be able to check for a UTI from your urine sample with a dipstick because it will turn orange in color.
- You can also take ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve) for pain relief. However, pain when urinating will not go away because the effect of the drug is not the same as phenazopyridine.
- If your pain is severe, your doctor may prescribe analgesics. This medicine can be used for a short period of time with antibiotics so that your pain and the need for pain medication will be resolved afterwards.
Method 3 of 4: Preventing Urinary Tract Infections
Step 1. Wear cotton underwear
To help prevent UTIs, wear cotton underwear. Nylon underwear will trap moisture and create a suitable environment for bacterial growth. Although it grows outside the urethra and bladder, bacteria can spread to the urethra.
Step 2. Avoid using soap that contains fragrances for bathing
Women should not soak in soap solutions containing perfumed ingredients. Soaps containing fragrances can cause inflammation of the urethra and create a suitable environment for bacterial growth.
Step 3. Wash properly to reduce bacteria in the urethra
Women should wash from front to back to prevent bacteria from the anus and feces from entering the urethra. Stool contains a lot of bacteria that are needed in the digestion of food, but should not get into the bladder.
Step 4. Urinate after sexual intercourse
Another way bacteria enter the urinary tract is through sexual intercourse. To prevent bacteria from entering, try to urinate right after sexual intercourse. Thus, bacteria that may enter during sexual intercourse can be removed.
Method 4 of 4: Understanding Urinary Tract Infections
Step 1. Recognize the symptoms
There are several common symptoms of a UTI. These symptoms include:
- Strong urge to urinate frequently.
- A burning sensation or burning pain during urination.
- Frequent urination in small amounts.
- Urine is red, pink, or coca cola-like, which indicates the presence of blood.
- Pelvic pain in the middle of the abdomen around the pubic bone in women.
- Strong-smelling urine.
Step 2. Call the doctor
To reduce the chances of permanent damage occurring, you should know when to call your doctor. Unless your symptoms disappear within 24 hours with home treatments, you should see your doctor for antibiotics. Reducing the pain of a UTI doesn't mean that you can cure it. If you don't see a doctor, a kidney infection may occur. Most cases of UTI do not go away on their own.
- The doctor will prescribe antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. Take all prescribed doses of antibiotics even if the pain and burning sensation you are experiencing has reduced because the bacterial growth has not completely resolved.
- See your doctor again if your symptoms do not improve after three days. You may need to have a gynecological exam if you are sexually active.
Step 3. Determine if you have recurring infections
Some women may experience recurrent infections. Three or more cases of UTI infection were classified as recurrent infections.
- This can be caused by not emptying the bladder completely when urinating. Urine remaining in the bladder can greatly increase the risk of recurrent UTIs.
- Recurrent infections may also occur due to structural abnormalities of the lower urinary tract. You can schedule an ultrasound or CT scan to be sure.
Tips
- Urinary tract infections are relatively common and can cause severe pain and discomfort. Treatment with antibiotics is usually necessary to treat the infection and reduce potential complications.
- UTIs in men should be taken very seriously (because they are rare and may indicate other health problems) and should be examined by a health professional.
