How To Get Rid Of UTI In South Africa

Overview

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of your urinary system — your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. Most infections involve the lower urinary tract — the bladder and the urethra.

Women are at greater risk of developing a UTI than are men. Infection limited to your bladder can be painful and annoying. However, serious consequences can occur if a UTI spreads to your kidneys.

UTI symptoms

Common UTI symptoms include:

a burning sensation when peeing
frequent urination
cloudy or dark urine
urine with a strong odor
a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
pelvic pain

How To Get Rid Of UTI In South Africa

1. Drink plenty of fluids

Hydration status has been linked to the risk of urinary tract infection.

This is because regular urination can help flush bacteria from the urinary tract to prevent infection. When you’re dehydrated, you aren’t urinating as often, which can create a breeding ground for bacteria.

A 2019 study examined nursing home residents and administered a drinking schedule to participants to increase their fluid intake, which decreased UTIs requiring antibiotics by 56 percent.

In a 2020 randomized control trial, 140 premenopausal women prone to UTIs participated in a 12-month study to test if a higher fluid intake would decrease their risk of recurrent cystitis and in turn their risk of developing a UTI. They found that an increase in fluid intake led to a decrease in UTI frequency.

To stay hydrated and meet your fluid needs, it’s best to drink water throughout the day and always when you’re thirsty.

BENEFITS OF DRINKING MORE FLUIDS FOR UTI
Drinking plenty of liquids can decrease the risk of UTIs by making you pee more, which helps remove bacteria from the urinary tract.

2. Increase vitamin C intake

Some evidence shows that increasing your intake of vitamin C could protect against urinary tract infections.

Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of the urine, thereby killing off the bacteria that cause infection.

An older 2007 study of UTIs in pregnant women looked at the effects of taking 100 milligrams of vitamin C every day.

The study found that vitamin C had a protective effect, cutting the risk of UTIs by more than half in those taking vitamin C, compared with the control group.

Fruits and vegetables are especially high in vitamin C and are a good way to increase your intake.

Red peppers, oranges, grapefruit, and kiwifruit all contain the full recommended amount of vitamin C in just one serving.

Despite these studies, there is still more research needed to prove the effectiveness of vitamin C for reducing UTIs. There are conflicting views on whether vitamin C can really change the pH balance of your urine enough to kill off bacteria. However, at the very least, increasing your vitamin C intake will likely give your immune system a boost.

BENEFITS OF VITAMIN C FOR UTI
Increasing vitamin C intake may decrease the risk of UTIs by making the urine more acidic, thus killing infection-causing bacteria.

3. Drink unsweetened cranberry juice

Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice is one of the most well-known natural remedies for urinary tract infections. If drinking unsweetened cranberry juice isn’t your thing, you can also take it in capsule form.

Cranberries work by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, thus preventing infection.

In a 2016 study, women with recent histories of UTIs drank an 8-ounce (240-mL) serving of cranberry juice every day for 24 weeks. Those who drank cranberry juice had fewer UTI episodes than the control group.

Another study showed that consuming cranberry products may lower the number of UTIs in a year, especially for women who have recurrent UTIs.

A 2015 study showed that treatment with cranberry juice capsules equivalent to two 8-ounce servings of cranberry juice could cut the risk of UTIs in half.

However, some other studies suggest that cranberry juice may not be as effective in the prevention of UTIs.

One 2012 review looked at 24 studies with a total of 4,473 participants. Though some smaller studies did find that cranberry products could reduce UTI frequency, other larger studies found no benefit.

Although the evidence is mixed, cranberry juice may help reduce the risk of UTIs. Whether they actually work as a treatment for an active UTI is less cut and dry.

Keep in mind that any possible benefits of this home remedy only apply to unsweetened cranberry juice, rather than sweetened varieties. Cranberry juice with added sugars won’t help treat an active UTI.

BENEFITS OF CRANBERRIES FOR UTI
Some studies show that cranberries could help reduce the risk of UTIs by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.

4. Take probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that are consumed through food or supplements. They can promote a healthy balance of bacteria in your gut.

Probiotics are available in supplement form or can be found in fermented foods, such as kefir, kimchi, kombucha, and probiotic yogurt.

The use of probiotics has been linked to many things, from improved digestive health to enhanced immune function.

Some studies also show that certain strains of probiotics may decrease the risk of UTIs.

A 2013 study found that Lactobacillus, a common probiotic strain, helped prevent UTIs in adult women.

A 2013 study found that taking both probiotics and antibiotics was more effective at preventing recurrent UTIs than using antibiotics alone.

Antibiotics, the main line of defense against UTIs, can cause disturbances in levels of gut bacteria. Probiotics may be beneficial in restoring gut bacteria after antibiotic treatment.

Studies have shown that probiotics can increase levels of good gut bacteria and reduce side effects associated with antibiotic use.

BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS FOR UTI
Probiotics could help prevent UTIs and are beneficial for restoring gut bacteria after antibiotic treatment.

5. Practice healthy hygiene habits

Preventing urinary tract infections starts with practicing a few good bathroom and hygiene habits.

First, it’s important not to hold urine for too long. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria, resulting in infection.

Peeing after sexual intercourse can also reduce the risk of UTIs by preventing the spread of bacteria.

Additionally, those who are prone to UTIs should avoid using spermicide, as it has been linked to an increase in UTIs.

Finally, when using the toilet, especially for those with female genitalia, make sure you wipe front to back. Wiping from back to front can cause bacteria to spread to the urinary tract and is associated with an increased risk of UTIs.

BENEFITS OF HEALTHY HYGIENE FOR UTI

Urinating frequently and after sexual intercourse can reduce the risk of UTI. Careful wiping when you use the toilet may also help decrease the risk of UTI.

6. Try these natural supplements

Several natural supplements may decrease the risk of developing a UTI.

Here are a few supplements that have been studied and are all available in capsule form:

D-Mannose. D-Mannose is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries. Research suggests it’s effective in treating UTIs and preventing recurrence.
Bearberry leaf. Bearberry leaf is also known as uva ursi. One 1993 study showed that a combination of bearberry leaf, dandelion root, and dandelion leaf decreased UTI recurrence.
Cranberry extract. Like cranberry juice, cranberry extract works by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.
Garlic extract. Research shows garlic and garlic extract to have antimicrobial properties and suggests it may be able to block the growth of bacteria to prevent UTIs.

BENEFITS OF NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS FOR UTI
D-Mannose, bearberry leaf, and cranberry extract are natural supplements that have been shown to prevent UTIs and decrease recurrence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can a UTI go away on its own?

“Yes, a UTI could go away on its own, but some infections are different than others,” he says. “And if left untreated, it may linger longer.” UTIs are classified into two main categories: uncomplicated, also known as cystitis; and complicated, which may be catheter-associated or happen during pregnancy.

How long does it last a UTI?

Most UTIs can be cured. Bladder infection symptoms most often go away within 24 to 48 hours after treatment begins. If you have a kidney infection, it may take 1 week or longer for symptoms to go away.

How can I get rid of a UTI fast?

To treat a UTI without antibiotics, people can try these approaches.

Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water can help prevent and treat UTIs.
Urinate when the need arises.
Drink cranberry juice.
Use probiotics.
Get enough vitamin C.
Wipe from front to back.
Practice good sexual hygiene.

How long does a UTI last untreated?

How long does a UTI last untreated? Some UTIs will go away on their own in as little as 1 week. However, UTIs that do not go away on their own will only get worse over time.

How did I get a UTI?

It’s pretty easy to get a urinary tract infection. Bacteria that live in the vagina, genital, and anal areas may enter the urethra, travel to the bladder, and cause an infection. This can happen during sexual activity when bacteria from your partner’s genitals, anus, fingers, or sex toys gets pushed into your urethra.

Does a UTI smell?

A UTI can cause bacteria from the infection to contaminate the urine, resulting in a distinct fishy smell. UTIs are more common in women than men. Other symptoms include: urine that is cloudy or bloody.

Can you flush out a UTI with water?

Patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) are usually advised to drink six to eight glasses (1.5 to 2 liters) of water every day to flush the infection out of the urinary system. The best way to get the infection out of the system is by drinking liquids until the urine is clear and the stream is forceful.

How do I know if I have a UTI in my urine?

UTIs can be found by analyzing a urine sample. The urine is examined under a microscope for bacteria or white blood cells, which are signs of infection. Your health care provider may also take a urine culture. This is a test that detects and identifies bacteria and yeast in the urine, which may be causing a UTI.

Can you get rid of a UTI without antibiotics?

Many times a UTI will go away on its own. In fact, in several studies of women with UTI symptoms, 25% to 50% got better within a week — without antibiotics.

What is a silent UTI?

“Our compromised elders, especially females often develop, “silent” urinary tract infections. These UTIs are called “silent” because they usually have no symptoms of pain, no burning, no odor, no frequency, etc. BUT there will often be profound changes in behaviors.”

Does UTI smell fishy?

Fishy odor from your urine can be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI). The bacteria from the infection can contaminate the urine and cause a distinct fishy smell. Other symptoms may include urine that is cloudy, burning sensation when urinating, or other mild pain when you pee

Is a UTI an STD?

A UTI isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and it isn’t considered a contagious condition. However, you can pass the bacteria that causes a UTI between partners.

What happens if you ignore a UTI?

If your UTI goes untreated, it may progress into a more serious infection. “An untreated bladder infection can become a kidney or prostate infection. These infections are more serious, because they can travel through the blood stream causing sepsis. Sepsis makes people very ill and can even be critical,” Dr

Why does my girlfriend keep getting UTIs?

Women are more prone to UTIs mostly because of their anatomy. A woman’s urethra is shorter than a man’s. Plus it is located near the openings of the vagina and anus, meaning there’s more opportunity for bacteria from both those areas to spread—or be wiped—into the urethra.

Can sperm cause UTI?

Sexual activity can move germs that cause UTIs from other areas, such as the vagina, to the urethra. Use a diaphragm for birth control or use spermicides (creams that kill sperm) with a diaphragm or with condoms. Spermicides can kill good bacteria that protect you from UTIs.

What having a UTI feels like?

A burning feeling when you pee. A frequent or intense urge to pee, even though little comes out when you do. Cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling pee. Feeling tired or shaky.

What does UTI pee smell like?

If you detect a hint of ammonia in your urine, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection. The odor suggests that bacteria may be swimming around in your urinary system, most likely in your urethra, kidneys or bladder.

Why does my wee smell fishy?

Also called trimethylaminuria, this genetic condition can give your pee a fishy smell. It happens when your body can’t break down trimethylamine. You end up getting rid of the compound through your pee, sweat, breath, and other fluids. It doesn’t mean you’re unhealthy.

Can stress cause a UTI?

Commonly known as UTI, urinary tract infections can be induced by stress. Feeling highly stressed is not the direct cause, but it leads to high levels of cortisol, which reduce the effect of the immune system.

Can you get a UTI from holding your pee?

Holding your urine for extremely long periods of time can also cause urinary tract infections due to bacteria build-up. In addition, it can increase your risk of kidney disease and in rare cases even risk your bladder bursting—a condition that can be deadly. There are plenty of reasons to hold back a bowel movement.