Although there are home remedies for bladder infection problems, you can’t just try them all. First, it’s important to understand what is causing you to have bladder infections. Then, you can tailor a treatment plan to your own needs.
Bladder Infection Definition
There are four areas involved in the processing of urine. They are the bladder, of course, the kidneys and the transportation systems that move the urine from one to the other (ureters) and out of the body (urethra). If an infection occurs in any of the four it’s more accurately called a urinary tract infection, or UTI.
How It Happens
There are three major causes of a UTI. One is when bacteria get into the urethra. That can happen occasionally or be the result of a chronic illness that causes bladder problems. Another form of UTI can be transmitted through sexual relations and a third can happen as a result of certain types of surgery having to do with the urinary system.
Urine is actually a very sterile substance. In fact, it is used in some circles to clean and kill bacteria. However, when it doesn’t pass through the system quickly enough or becomes contaminated by outside sources, bacteria can show up and quickly multiply.
The Symptoms
There are several possible symptoms of a UTI. One of the big indicators is if you have a burning feeling when you try to pee. You may also have the feeling that you need to go often, but not be able to go much at all. Also, if you do go, the urine could be cloudy or even have a reddish tint to it.
You also need to look out for more severe symptoms, such as nausea and stomach pain. High fevers are another indication. Any of those severe symptoms can indicate the potential for kidney damage. So, you should talk to your doctor immediately.
Home Remedies
One of the best ways to treat or prevent a bladder infection is by drinking a lot of water. If your infection is strictly in the urethra, a water flush can often get rid of it. It requires a lot of water, though. Specifically, you should be drinking about 8 ounces of water every half an hour to flush out the infection.
Another thing that you can do to help prevent or cure a UTI is drink a lot of cranberry juice. The proanthocyanins in cranberry juice are very beneficial to your urinary tract health. They keep bacteria from sticking to urinary passage walls. That means that urine can flush the bacteria out of your system a lot quicker.
If you can’t handle drinking so much water and juice in one day, you’re in luck. One of the home remedies for bladder infection that you can do is take cranberry in pill form. Such supplements are sold at many health food stores and can work just as well as drinking the juice.