If you have ever had the awful burning sensation of a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection or as I call them – a Bladder Infection), you know the pain and discomfort associated with them.
At first it’s a little niggly feeling in the downstairs department and then a burning sensation when you go to the toilet. You may also get nauseated, abdominal pain and a fever. Not my idea of fun!
Some women seem to be more susceptible to UTI’s, and yep. Unfortunately I am one of them. For years and years I have struggled with this nasty infection that pays a visit at the drop of a hat.
Whenever I have had a UTI, I would put everything I had learnt in to practice, in an effort to get rid of the infection. Every little bit of advice given from my fellow chickadees as well as Doctors would always end up in the same result. Antibiotics!! I know that Antibiotics have their place, but unfortunately, our bodies are starting to become immune to them.
A few months back when I had a UTI, I got a prescription for Antibiotics and they didn’t work. I had to have another script filled for a different brand. So, 2 lots of pills later and a whole lotta pain and lost productivity (who wants to sit on the toilet all day??), I finally got rid of the stooopid infection.
This week I got another UTI, (which for some reason I seem to get if I have accidentally been glutened – that’s a whole other story) and I decided I was going to do my best to get rid of it without the help of a script.
***Please note that UTI’s can be very serious and if you don’t treat them, they can lead to Kidney Infections, causing even more problems. Hmm yep, been there done that, so make sure you listen to your body, and always seek the advice of your GP. This is just super helpful info to kickstart you getting rid of a UTI.
To get rid of a UTI naturally you really need to get on to it straight away. And I mean straight away. Even the slightest inkling of a sting when you pee and you will need to follow what I am about to share with you.
There are a lot of common ailments that you would have been told, so I am going to share everything that works for me, and hopefully you have the same results. Also I will share some other great advice for prevention in case you are new to the fun world of UTI’s (ahem – insert sarcasm).
Do’s:
Rest, rest, rest - Your body needs a time-out. So be kind to your body and allow it to rest and recover.
Drink loads and loads of water – if you are going to be sitting on the loo trying to get some wee out, you may as well make it a little easier for yourself. Plus it helps flush your system and remove the bacteria.
Drink Organic Rose Hip Tea - This stuff is a godsend. Rose Hip tea is quite tart in flavour, but the more you drink it, the more you will get used to the taste. The Rose Hip tea helps to dramatically increase the acidity of your urine, which will kills the bacteria that cause UTIs and bladder infections.
Drink Cranberry Juice - When drinking Cranberry Juice, buy straight Cranberry Concentrate, otherwise the bacteria will feed off the added sugars. You just need to add a couple of Tablespoons of the concentrate to water. I have never found this in the supermarket, so if you have, please leave a comment below with the name of the supermarket and the brand of Concentrate. I always buy from my local health food shop.
Take Ural Sachets or something similar. This is my brand of choice purely because the taste isn’t as bad as some of the other brands that I have tried. As soon as you notice a UTI coming, have 2 sachets with water. If you don’t have any sachets on hand, then you can use bi-carb soda in water until you (or someone else) can get to the shops and stock up.
Take a Pro-Biotic to help with good bacteria. There is strong scientific evidence to support the use of probiotics for urological conditions. It’s great for for overall health anyway, so I certainly recommend taking Pro-Biotics even when you aren’t struggling with a UTI.
Cuddle a Heat Pack or Hot Water Bottle for abdominal pain
All of these things are easy to keep on hand at home in case you are in a pickle and need to get rid of a UTI ASAP. I always carry Ural Sachets in my handbag, just in case I am out and about and need them. If you are susceptible, then this is a great idea.
Don’ts:
Now on to the avoid list. Until symptoms go away, it is best to avoid the following:
· Coffee and caffeinated teas.
· Alcohol
· Fruit (because the bacteria will feed off the sugar)
· Refined food (white bread/pasta etc.)
· Tight clothing and synthetic underwear
To avoid a further hit, some advice that should help includes:
· Always empty your bladder when you need to go to the toilet. Holding on, no matter what, is bad for your health.
· Go to the toilet before and after hanky panky in the bedroom.
· Wear natural fibre underwear
· Drink lots of water every single day for life. Make it a habit, your body will love you for it.
So, good luck, and I hope this helps you feel better real soon.
