Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) are typically treated using antibiotics. However, there are also a few home remedies that can help to treat the condition and prevent them from recurring. In this article, we will give you a few tips on how to treat a UTI at home and when it is time to call our home doctor service for a UTI in Fuengirola or anywhere in the Costa del Sol.
What is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection is an infection in your urinary system. Women are much more likely to have a UTI than men. Infections can occur in your bladder, kidneys, ureters, or your urethra. Most UTI’s are found in the lower urinary tract, in other words, the urethra or the bladder.
An infection that is limited to the bladder can be very uncomfortable. However, they can become a lot more serious if they spread to the kidneys. Doctors can usually treat a UTI with some antibiotics. However, there are things you can do to help reduce the likelihood of you getting a UTI to begin with.
Symptoms of a UTI
UTI’s don't always come with side-effects and symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur they could include:
- Burning feelings when you urinate
- Cloudy urine
- Passing very small amounts frequently
- Pelvic pain – Only women experience this and the pain is felt in the centre of the pelvis
- Pink, red or brown urine - This is a sign that there is blood in the urine.
- Strong urge to urinate that does not go away
- Urine that smells very strong
There is always a chance that a urinary tract infection might be mistaken for another condition. This only tends to happen in older adults. Call our Home Doctor service for a UTI in Fuengirola to make sure.
Treating a UTI at Home
Millions of people suffer from a UTI every single year. For some people, a UTI can recur time and time again or they can never go away. Many people are happy to visit their local pharmacy when they notice that they have a urine infection. However, it is possible for you to treat your UTI at home before calling our Home Doctor service for a UTI in Fuengirola.
Here are some tips to help you treat your UTI:
Take some D-mannose
D-mannose is made from a sugar that’s similar to glucose and is usually found in health food shops. This supplement can help to prevent E. coli sticking to the urinary tract’s walls. When you take D-mannose please make sure you take it with plenty of water as this can help you to flush out any bacteria.
Drink plenty of water
Please make sure that you drink plenty of water. The best way for you to flush out the E.coli is to urinate a lot. When you drink a lot of water you will naturally urinate more.
Over the counter medication
While you might be tempted to try over the counter medication to ease your pain, they will not cure the infection.
Cranberry juice
Many doctors recommend that you drink cranberry juice. This is because the juice contains active compounds. These compounds work by sticking to the bacteria and flushing them out. This means that the bacteria cannot multiply or grow quite as well.
Applying heat pads
Chances are, your UTI could become quite painful. You might feel quite a bit of pain in your abdomen or your lower back. Use a heat pad to relieve the pain but make sure you use it on a low setting. Place a blanket or a cloth between the heat pad and your skin so you don’t burn yourself. Make sure you use the heat pad for no more than 15 to 20 minutes at a time. If you don’t have a heat pad, a water bottle will work well. If you don’t have a water bottle, a cloth that’s soaked in some hot water will help.
When to call our home doctor service for a UTI in Fuengirola
You should call our home doctor service for a UTI in Fuengirola or anywhere in the Costa del Sol about a urinary tract infection (UTI) if you have:
- A frequent urge to urinate
- Back pain or pain just above your bladder
- Blood in your urine
- Burning, pain or other issues when you urinate
- Chills or a fever
- To urinate frequently and you only urinate in small amounts
- Urine that is dark, cloudy or has a bad smell