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Are you too someone who has been infected by UTI? If yes, then you must be aware of how uncomfortable it can be.
That uncontrollable need to pee with the burning sensation and what not! (1)
It might be surprising to you but it's true that holding on to your urine for 6 hours and more can put you at greater risk of bacteria overgrowth in the bladder.
This is where flushing out a UTI becomes important.
1. Symptoms of UTI’s
Urinary tract infections doesn't always come with signs and symptoms, but when they do, then the symptoms include:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate without any kind of control. (2)
- A burning sensation while urniating
- Passing small but frequent amounts of urine. At times only a few drops but still feels like the bladder is full
- Urine with strong smell that appears different from normal like cloudy, red, bright pink, or cola-colored shows that there is some blood in the urine
- Women experience pelvic pain, in the center of pelvis and around the pubic bone area
2. Causes of UTIs
If you're a woman, you are always prone to getting infected with a urinary tract infection. As per some experts, the lifetime risk of getting infected by one as high as 1 in 2.
While with many women, there are chances of repeated infections, sometimes for years.
Similarly, about 1 in 10 men are likely to be infected with a Urinary Tract Invention in their lifetime.
Take a look at what causes UTIs:
- One major cause is holding in urine for a long. Always remember the thumb rule that you must urinate every two to three hours or as soon as there is an urge to pee.
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Diarrhea or Constipation can be another cause to develop UTI. This is because in times of constipation, emptying the bladder becomes difficult.
This allows bacteria to grow steadily and cause an infection. Also, the bacteria from loose excreted stool can make their way easily into your urethra.
- If someone has uncontrolled diabetes, then too the bladder doesn't empty properly, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.
Also, in cases of diabetics, high blood sugar levels can increase the chances of UTI's. - Periods are painful. Imagine how painful they can be with the added pain of UTI.
Since bacterias thrive more in moist and warm environments, it becomes important to ensure that you always change your pad or tampon every few hours when on your periods.
This not just helps prevent UTI occurrences but is also hygienic and prevents other infections too.
Image Credits: Unsplash - If there is a sudden hormonal shift for any reason, like switching your birth control, then it can lead to a fluctuation of the normal bacteria in your vagina. This is likely to increase UTI chances.
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One of the biggest reasons is bacteria like Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, and more.
Not only these, but there also are several other causes that can lead to UTI including some urinary tract abnormalities, nerve damage around the bladder, spinal cord injury, etc.
3. Home Remedies to Effectively Treat UTIs
The last time you had a UTI how did you treat it? Took an antibiotic? But many times, all infections don't require a prescription as they can be treated right at your home.
So, the next time before you visit the doctor for diagnosis and treatment, you must try to know the UTIs root cause and take future precautions to avoid them in future.
Even if, you have not been infected by a UTI ver then as we say, ‘Prevention is better than cure’, read on to know how can a UTI be flushed out with water.
The answer undoubtedly remains, YES! While getting a requisite fill of water and other water-based foods can prevent UTI's. The other ways to prevent these painful infections are:
To ensure that your urine remains acidic, you must intake plenty of fruits and foods rich in high amounts of Vitamin C.
This will inhibit the bacterial growth in your urinary tract. (4)
However, if you are currently infected with a UTI then it is advisable to avoid citrus or other acidic foods. They can irritate your bladder while urinating and that's probably the last thing that you and even anyone would want.
UTI’s not only cause Irritation and inflammation, but also pressure with burning sensations around the pubic area. But the application of a heating pad can certainly help.
Ensure that the heat settings are kept low. Also, you must never apply that heat source directly to the skin, and if you do then remove after 15 minute to avoid burns.
If you are suffering from UTI, or caffeine then intake of foods and drinks like alcohol, spicy food, nicotine, carbonated drinks, and artificial sweeteners can further irritate your bladder.
Consuming these items can make healing difficult. It is advised that you eat only healthy foods like oatmeals and lentil soups that contain high-fiber carbohydrates.
They are good for your digestive health and even your overall well-being.
Whenever there is an urgency to pee, without any second thoughts, go and empty your bladder. Even if you urinate in small amount, you must flush out the infection causing bacteria and keep your toilets running.
4. Flushing out UTI with water - Does it work?
For generations, the advice for all health problems has been to drink plenty of water and fluids.
This medical advice to consume more water even applies to catching up with UTI's.
The very first thing to do when infected with a Urinary Tract Infection is to drink plenty of water.
This will help flush out the unwanted bacteria that caused the infection. (6)
Continuing to drink ample water will put you on the right track towards recovery.
Although a UTI can make peeing hurtful if you intake loads of water, about 8-10 glasses, as recommended, then peeing will be less painful. Eventually, it will also aid in speedy recovery.
Also, as per research, women drinking more water got lesser UTI’s than women consuming lesser water. Therefore, it is essential to stay well hydrated.
5. How much water is too much water to get rid of UTI?
There is no rule defining on UTI how much water to drink to flush out bacteria of UTI.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases recommends that one should drink about six to eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day in order to flush bacteria out of your urinary tract. (7)
Once you begin the treatment either via medications or using home remedies, the bacterial symptoms take 24 to 48 hours to go0 away gradually.
If you have a kidney infection, it may even take a week or even longer at times for symptoms to go away.
Image Source: Unsplash
6. Prevention to Prevent UTIs
Take into consideration these precautions to reduce your risk of urinary tract infections:
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Drinking plenty of liquids, especially flushing out a UTI with water, remains on the top.
Water will effectively help dilute your urine while ensuring that you'll urinate more frequently — allowing bacteria to be flushed from your urinary tract, much before an infection can begin. (8)
- Cranberry Juice for UTI can be of great help.
- Always wipe from front to back. Doing so after urinating and after a bowel movement will help prevent bacteria in the anal region from spreading to the vagina and urethra.
- Make it a point to empty your bladder soon after intercourse. Also, you must drink a glass full of water to help flush bacteria immediately.
- Avoid the use of potential irritating feminine products. The use of feminine products like powder and other deodorant sprays, in the genital area, can irritate the urethra.
- Change your birth control method. Spermicide-treated condoms, Diaphragms, or unlubricated can all contribute to bacterial growth.
7. Conclusion
For minimizing the use of antibiotics and flushing a UTI, undoubtedly fluids especially water can help your body clear out more of the circulating bacteria in the bladder.
If you aren't consuming enough water, from today onwards, make it an aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day and stay safe from UTIs. (9)
Also, more water means lesser health concerns - healthier skin, healthier hair, and whatnot!
