A urinary tract infection is a painful infection that can become much more serious if not properly treated. While there are a number of medications available to treat a UTI, many sufferers prefer to use more natural remedies. One popular natural remedy is to use baking soda to rid the urinary tract of bacteria. However, while this is a common cure, many question if this is really the best option available.
Baking soda works to neutralize acid in the urinary tract when consumed with adequate amounts of water. Unfortunately, the urinary tract is one of the body’s systems that requires a certain amount of good bacteria in order to stay healthy. Therefore, when treating a UTI with baking soda, you are actually killing both the good and the bad bacteria. This can work to irritate the urinary tract and put it at a higher risk for repeated infection.
Additionally, baking soda can cause a number of other problems when consumed orally. These problems range from causing vitamin B deficiencies, to worsening hypertension, and causing liver and kidney problems. When a person consumes baking soda after a meal, it is known to cause severe discomfort and stomach pain. It also commonly causes headaches, mood swings, dizziness, weakness, and loss of appetite. Many would argue that baking soda should not be used as a supplement or remedy, as the risks greatly outweigh the benefits.
Four Effective Home UTI Treatment Options:
1. Cranberry juice is a great tool against urinary tract infections. Not only is cranberry juice a great antioxidant, but it helps to promote a healthy acidic environment, in which good bacteria will flourish. When suffering from an UTI, consume a few glasses of pure cranberry juice, along with about 8 ounces of water every hour or so. This will help to flush the urinary tract of bad bacteria, while helping it restore itself naturally. However, sufferers should be aware that sugary beverages, containing a small amount of pure cranberry juice, will be largely ineffective and the sugar content may actually irritate the infection.
2. Cranberry pills will also work to eliminate a UTI. Suffers should take 800 milligrams of cranberry concentrate, split between two daily servings. It is also important to consume about 8 ounces of water every hour, in order to properly flush the urinary tract.
3. Uva Ursi, or Bearberry, also works to cure a UTI. Urva Usi works as a kind of antiseptic for the urinary tract, ridding it of impurities and bacteria. This herb also helps to promote a healthy acidic environment that will work to improve the overall health of the urinary tract. However, those using Uva Ursi to treat a UTI should be sure to avoid foods and beverages high in vitamin C, as this will affect the pH levels of the urine.
4. Goldenseal root is another herb that is effective in treating urinary tract infections. This herb is known for it’s antiseptic, antibiotic, and antimicrobial properties and has been used for hundreds of years to treat an assortment of problems, including UTIs. Goldenseal root can be consumed in capsule form or made into a tea. Sufferers should aim to consume about 1,000 milligrams a day and be sure to drink plenty of water for the best results.
When suffering from a UTI, it is also important to avoid certain foods and beverages. Food and drinks that are high in vitamin C should be avoided when taking certain herbs, like Uva Ursi, as should sugary and caffeinated beverages. These products can irritate the bladder and cause the infection to worsen.
Additionally, it is important to consume at least 8 to 10 servings of water a day. While urinating may be uncomfortable at first, this will help to flush the impurities from the bladder and urinary tract and eliminate the infection. While suffering from a UTI can be both painful and frustrating, the use of the right herbs and natural remedies can effectively work to cure the infection, while improving the health of the urinary tract.