Urinary tract infections can be bacterial, fungal, or viral in origin. They affect the upper or lower parts of the urinary system such as the bladder.
Some good practices can help reduce their recurrence or relieve symptoms while waiting to consult a doctor.
First of all, you should drink enough water. ANSES recommends drinking about 1.5 L per day. And in cases of high heat or physical activity, our needs are even higher!
Good hydration can reduce the concentration of germs in the urinary tract. It is also recommended not to wait when you feel the urge to urinate and to urinate promptly.
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Here are 5 natural treatments to prevent urinary tract infections and relieve their symptoms. See after the list to learn more about this infection, which primarily affects women.
Precaution : it may be necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible depending on the symptoms and individual predispositions. Before taking a dietary supplement, it is recommended to discuss it with your doctor to check for the risk of contraindications.
1. Cranberry juice
A well-known home remedy, cranberry juice is recommended for preventing recurrent urinary tract infections.
It contains compounds called proanthocyanidins that prevent bacteria from attaching to and developing on the bladder walls. This is what some studies have shown.
How to consume it : prefer cranberry juice without added sugars and organic when possible. You can dilute the juice with water to reduce its acidity. There are also capsules made from cranberry extracts. Prefer those with the highest concentrations of proanthocyanidins.
2. Bearberry
The bearberry is a plant with small red berries. Its leaves concentrate its therapeutic properties.
Its active compound called arbutin is believed to be responsible for its beneficial effect in urinary tract infections. This study reports its effect on recurrent cystitis.
How to consume it : in herbal shops you can find dried bearberry to use as a decoction. You can sip 2 to 3 cups per day. It is also available as a mother tincture or in capsule form.
3. Garlic
A staple of Mediterranean cuisine, garlic is a bulb with many medicinal properties!
It contains a compound called allicin that underlies its diuretic, cleansing and antibacterial properties. This study examines its action on populations of E. coli.
How to consume it: you can add crushed raw garlic cloves to your salads. Garlic can also be consumed as an infusion. Finally, there are dietary supplements made from garlic extract.
4. Green tea
Green tea (Camellia sinensis), in addition to being delicious and energizing, has many benefits. Notably antimicrobial, detoxifying, and diuretic properties.
It is its compound epigallocatechin, a powerful antioxidant, that is thought to be responsible for its beneficial effect on urinary tract infections, as suggested by this study. Human research is awaited to confirm these results.
How to consume it: choose organic green tea if possible. Because of its caffeine content, it’s best to consume it in the morning. You can also consume matcha made from ground green tea leaves.
5. Nettle
The nettle is a plant that can reach 1.6 meters in height. Its stinging leaves cause itching, but it is an excellent food, infusion, and dietary supplement.
It contains numerous active compounds: phytosterols, lignans, and polysaccharides. By increasing urine volume, it helps prevent urinary tract infections.
How to consume it: it can be consumed as an infusion at a rate of 2 to 3 cups per day. It can also be found in tablet or powder form. The powder can be incorporated into smoothie recipes or salads.
What is a urinary tract infection?
Causes of urinary tract infection
Most urinary tract infections are of bacterial origin, but they can also be caused by fungi and, in rare cases, by viruses.
Different areas of the urinary tract can be affected. Most often it is the urethra (the tube that carries urine) or the bladder.
In rarer, more severe cases, the kidneys and the ureters (tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder) may be affected.
Most of the time, bacteria travel up the urethra and colonize the bladder (cystitis).
Urinary tract infections peak during the summer season, notably due to dehydration.
Women are more prone to them. Some attribute this to anatomical differences. Women are advised, for example, to wipe from front to back when using the toilet.
Urinating after sexual intercourse may also reduce bacterial growth in the urinary tract. Constipation is also likely to promote the migration of bacteria to the urinary system.
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Symptoms of urinary tract infection
Among the most common symptoms of urinary tract infection are:
- a very frequent need to urinate
- a burning sensation during urination
- the presence of blood and pus in the urine
- the feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied after urination
Severe forms of urinary tract infections are accompanied by fever, chills, and even nausea and vomiting. This is the case with acute pyelonephritis.
During a doctor’s appointment, they usually perform a urine test with a dipstick to confirm the presence of bacteria. They supplement this with a urine culture (cytobacteriological examination) to tailor antibiotic treatment.
Also read the A natural antibiotic to fight infections? Here are 10
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a major public health issue and urinary tract infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are the subject of studies. Natural solutions to support treatments or prevent infections present an opportunity to combat this scourge.
