Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common bacterial infections. They largely affect women, but men can experience them as well. Symptoms typically include a burning sensation or pain while urinating as well as a need to urinate often and sometimes lower back pain. UTIs can be very uncomfortable, so you want to get them treated quickly.
Visit a Healthcare Provider
If you suspect you have a UTI, you should schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider. A UTI is not typically an emergency, but they are mainly treated by taking antibiotics that you can only get through your healthcare provider. During your appointment, you will be asked about your symptoms and you may even be asked to provide a urine sample to confirm you have a UTI. Once your diagnosis has been made, your healthcare provider will give you a prescription for antibiotics.
Take Antibiotics
Once you have your prescription, fill it right away and start taking your antibiotics. With antibiotics, it’s essential that you take the entire prescription. With bacterial infections, it’s common for symptoms to go away before you’ve completed your prescription and you may think you don’t need to keep taking it. However, the full prescription must be taken to make sure the bacterial infection has been completely removed from your body.
Drink Plenty of Water
To help ease your symptoms and to encourage the infection to pass, you should drink plenty of water. Drinking water helps to flush out the infection. Also, it will help to dilute your urine more. This can decrease the pain that you feel. Drink as much as you can. Once your infection has passed, make sure you stay hydrated. This can help prevent future UTIs from occurring.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
Since a UTI is already very painful and uncomfortable, you don’t want to do anything to make it worse. Alcohol and caffeine are both substances that can irritate your bladder and only increase the pain while urinating. Additionally, combining certain medications with caffeine or alcohol can make it harder for the medication to work properly. While you’re on antibiotics, do your best to avoid or completely cut out alcohol and caffeine.
At-Home Remedies
While antibiotics are the best way to treat a UTI, you can also try at-home remedies to ease the pain or flush out your infection. Many people try drinking cranberry juice when they have a UTI. The thought behind this method is that cranberry juice increases the acidity of your urine and helps fight off the bacteria. Other at-home remedies include probiotics, garlic, horseradish, apple cider vinegar, and more.
A UTI is extremely uncomfortable and you want to begin treating it as soon as possible. With the right methods, you can help the infection pass quickly and you can even prevent future UTIs. Seeking medical assistance should be your first step.
If you suspect you have a UTI, you can visit urgent care for help. Click here to learn more about Urgent Care at Premier Family Medical.
