How to Get Rid of a Urinary Tract Infection Without Antibiotics
If you feel the urge to constantly urinate, but you do not have to go, you just might have a urinary tract infection. When you go to the physician, he or she prescribes an antibiotic like Bactrim, tetracycline or amoxicillin. However, if you can cure a mild or moderate UTI at home, which saves you a trip to the doctor's office.
1. Drink plenty of water each day. While it is recommended you drink at least eight glasses per day, when you have a UTI, you should increase this amount to at least 10 glasses. This causes you to urinate more often, which is healthy for your system and will ultimately reduce the sensation that you have to urinate without actually being able to go.
2. Drink 25 ounces, or about 3 cups, of cranberry juice per day. Cranberries contain antioxidants, which promote overall good health. In addition, there are tannins inside of cranberries, which prevent bacteria from clinging on to the walls of the bladder. Make sure you are drinking 100 percent cranberry juice and not a mixture of two fruits or a blend that contains artificial flavorings.
3. Decrease your caffeine intake, because this substance causes many problems when you have a UTI.
4. Get an adequate amount of sleep each night. Your body needs rest in order to function and to fight infection properly.
5. Take a calcium citrate supplement to lower your urine's pH level, which has been noted to have an effect on bacterial growth.
6. Take a supplement with Echinacea in it to boost your immune system.
7. Take a vitamin C supplement to boost your immune system and to fight the infection itself.
8. Talk to a naturopath about any other herbal supplements you should be taking to assisting in fighting the infection.
9. Wait a few days. If your symptoms do not subside, you should schedule an appointment with your physician.