Bladder Infection Home Remedy - Women's Health Issues
Bladder Infection Treatment
Finding a bladder infection home remedy during the early stages of the infection can nip it in the bud and make visiting a doctor unnecessary. Fortunately, you have several choices when it comes to a urinary tract home remedy - one of the more common women's health issues.
Bladder infections are more common in women than men and many women suffer from recurring infections.
What are the Causes of a Bladder Infection in Women?
The simple answer is bacteria. The bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra where it multiplies. It causes great discomfort and the danger is that if it is not treated it can spread to the kidneys which is serious.
What are the Symptoms of Bladder Infection?
The beginning symptoms of a bladder infection are:
need to urinate frequently
burning sensation when urinating
If you have these advanced symptoms, you need to see a doctor:
blood in the urine
low back pain
fever
vomiting or nausea
These symptoms could signify that the infection has spread to the kidneys.
Find a Bladder Infection Home Remedy
The simplest bladder infection home remedy is drinking lots of water. This flushes the E. coli bacteria out. E. coli bacteria can double about every 20 minutes or so and the more bacteria there are, the more pain you will have.
The old standby home remedy for bladder infection is cranberry juice. Some women drink gallons of cranberry juice and swear by it. The question is, is it the cranberry juice that is doing the trick or is it the fact that more fluids are simply flushing out the bacteria? Some believe the cranberry juice prevents the bacteria from clinging to the cells. Whatever it is, if you enjoy the cranberry juice, drink it. Otherwise simply drink more water.
Herbs for Urinary Tract Infections
These herbs have anti-bacterial properties and have been used successfully as a bladder infection treatment:
Echinacea
Goldenseal
St. John's Wort
Lemon Balm
Uva ursi
Horsetail
These herbs can be purchased at health food stores and even grocery stores. Follow the dosage instructions on the bottle.
Uva Ursi should not be taken for long periods of time. Lemon Balm has absolutely no side effects and can be taken as long as you want. Avoid Goldenseal if you are pregnant or nursing.
Horsetail is a diuretic and an antioxidant and can be used for urinary tract infections. It is available both as a dried herb and as a liquid. The dried horsetail can be used to make a tea. Use two or three teaspoons and steep in hot water. Drink two or three times a day. Horsetail should not be used over a prolonged period of time because it depletes Vitamin B1. Do not use if you have a heart or kidney disorder. Consult with your physician before taking if you are on medications.
A bladder infection can be very debilitating causing lack of sleep and fear of being very far from a toilet besides the pain involved. Women who have recurring bladder infections may successfully prevent an occurence by eating yogurt. Be sure the yogurt actually has a live culture. Buying it at a health food store is probably the best bet.
Remember a bladder infection home remedy without seeing a medical professional should only be used in the beginning stages of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Disclaimer: Always consult your medical professional before trying any homemade treatment. This site is designed for informational purposes only and is not rendering medical advice or professional services.