Urinary tract infection or UTI is a serious infection of the urinary system which typically consists of the kidneys, bladder and the tubes that connects these two organs. The cause of the infection is primarily bacteria that are already present within the body, most especially found in the large intestines. There are different types of urinary tract infection, one of which is the infection of the bladder. Although bladder infection is highly treatable through medication and natural methods, the infection can spread to the kidneys and cause permanent damage if not treated properly.

UTI is more common in women than in men. This is primarily due to them having shorter urethras which make it easier for the bacteria to spread and reach the bladders. The condition can also be transmitted sexually. The risk factors of developing urinary tract infection are insufficient liquid intake, pregnancy, diabetes and lack of proper hygiene. People who have existing health conditions involving the blockage of the urinary tract like enlarged prostate glands and kidney stones have higher risk of developing the disease.

The symptoms of UTI include pain or a burning sensation when urinating, frequent but limited flow of urine, a heavy feeling in the belly area, pain in the rib area, chills and fever, vomiting, and nausea. People who experience these symptoms are advised to immediately seek medical attention in order to fully determine the cause. You can begin with naturally treating UTI by drinking more water than usual. But it is still important to follow these tips diligently when seeking ways to naturally treat the condition.

1. Drink Lots of Water

   Water is needed by the body for many different reasons. In the case of urinary tract infection, water helps to flush out toxins and bacteria from the system. Drinking at least eight glasses of water in a day can help detoxify the urinary tract and this aid in flushing out any material that may be blocking the normal passage of urine. Once the urinary tract has been cleared out of any unwanted deposits, it will be easier to remove bacteria through the natural process of urination. Drinking lots of water can also help in treating other health conditions that may be causing UTI like kidney stone formation.

   Make it a habit to drink water after every meal and avoid highly saturated drinks like sugar-rich beverages. Foods that are high in sodium can inhibit the health flow of urine and may lead to the formation of kidney stones. Filling up with water after each meal will not only make you feel fuller but it will also help prevent the reproduction of bacteria in your urinary tract.

2. Fill up with Cranberry Juice

   A study conducted by researchers from the Tel Aviv University found that cranberry juice can help treat urinary tract infection in women. Head researcher, Prof Itzhak Ofek, and his team found that cranberries have strong anti-viral properties and a teflon-like effect to the urinary tract. The results of the study were published in the Molecular Nutrition and Food Research journal.  The researchers have suggested that cranberries can help treat UTI by fighting the bacteria that causes the infection and by protecting the surface of the urinary tract from further damage.

   Cranberry's anti-bacterial property is a result of its high proanthocyanidin content. Proanthocyanidins have the ability to fight the accumulation of the E. coli bacteria by forming tendril-like structures called fimbrae on cell membranes. Once the structure is already in place, it will become almost impossible for the bacteria to cause any serious infection. If fresh cranberry juice is not readily available, you can take advantage of the berry's UTI-fighting properties by taking proanthocyanidin supplements. However, I highly discourage the use of cranberry juice from the grocery store for the simple reason that it has very high sugar content.

   Ofek added that cranberries have high polyphenol content that was observed to target certain bacteria and viruses that enters the body. He recommended that women with UTI can drink at least 2 glasses of cranberry juice in a day to help treat the disease. Again, it is advisable to drink fresh cranberry juice instead of those which are bought from grocery stores since they are more likely loaded with sugar. The process of preserving and packing cranberry juice also reduces its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

3. Make use of Natural Herbs

   Taking herbal food supplements like echinacea, uva ursi, goldenseal and purslane can also help treat UTI. These herbs have the ability to kill E. coli bacteria that is causing the disease and helps in preventing the infection to develop. But note that taking herbal food supplements may not work for all cases. If you have not experienced any notable change in your condition after at least three days of taking these herbs, it would be better to seek the advice of a physician, or holistic healer if you prefer to pursue a natural approach to treating UTI instead of taking antibiotics.

More about UTI

Urinary tract infection is accounted for over 11 million doctor visits in a year in the United States alone according to the JAMA or Journal of the American Medical Association. The two types of UTI are lower and upper UTI.  Lower UTI is more common in women than in men and occurs in the bladder or urethra. And according to statistics, more than one third of women in the world experience lower UTI in their lifetime. Upper UTI, on the other hand, is considered to be the complication caused by lower UTI wherein the infection has spread to the ureters and/or the kidneys. The condition can also develop without having to precede lower UTI. The infection can start when the urinary tract is blocked by kidney stones or tumors.

For the first few symptoms of UTI, it is recommended to immediately seek the advice of a medical professional and begin to take the initiative to change your diet and reduce the consumption of foods that may only exacerbate the condition. Foods that are rich in sugar, for example, increase the concentration of glucose in the urine which provides for a suitable environment for bacterial growth and reproduction.

Sources
webmd.co
utiremoval.com
sciencedaily.com
lef.org
ehow.com
vitamins-supplements.org