If you've ever experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI), you know how uncomfortable and frustrating it can be.
UTIs are a common infection that affects millions of women each year and they're typically treated with antibiotics. However, some people prefer to avoid antibiotics, either because of the side effects or because they want to try a more natural approach.
The good news is that there are several signs you can look for to determine if your UTI is going away without antibiotics.
In this article, we'll explore those signs and give you tips on how to speed up the healing process.
In this article, we'll explore those signs and give you tips on how to speed up the healing process.
What Is A UTI?
Before we dive into the signs your UTI is going away, let's quickly review what a UTI is.
A UTI is an infection that occurs in any part of your urinary system, including your kidneys, bladder, urethra or ureters.
A UTI is an infection that occurs in any part of your urinary system, including your kidneys, bladder, urethra or ureters.
The most common type of UTI is a bladder infection, which can cause symptoms like:
- Pain or burning sensation when urinating.
- Frequent urination.
- Cloudy or strong-smelling urine.
- Blood in the urine.
- Lower abdominal pain.
Signs Your UTI is Going Away Without Antibiotics.
If you’ve decided not to use antibiotics to treat UTIs, and want to know if you are healing, here are some signs you should observe:
Decreased Pain And Discomfort.
One of the first signs that your UTI is improving is a decrease in pain and discomfort. If you're experiencing pain or burning when you urinate, that should start to lessen within a few days of treatment. You may also notice that any abdominal pain or pressure is easing up.
Improved Urinary Frequency And Urgency.
Another common symptom of a UTI is increased urinary frequency and urgency. You may feel like you need to go to the bathroom more often than usual, and you may feel a sense of urgency to go even if you don't have much urine to pass. As your UTI starts to clear up, these symptoms should gradually improve.
Clearer Urine.
When you have a UTI, your urine may appear cloudy or have a strong odour. As your infection starts to go away, you should notice that your urine becomes clearer and less smelly.
Normal Temperature.
If your UTI has caused a fever, you may notice that your body temperature returns to normal as the infection clears up. This is a sign that your body is fighting off the infection and healing.
Tips For Speeding Up The Healing Process.
While most UTIs will clear up on their own within a few days, there are a few things you can do to help speed up the healing process:
Drink Plenty Of Water.
Drinking water helps flush bacteria out of your urinary tract, so make sure you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water each day.
Take Probiotics.
Probiotics can help restore the balance of good bacteria in your body, which can be disrupted by antibiotics. You can find probiotics in supplement form or in fermented foods like yoghurt.
Use Heat Therapy.
Applying heat to your lower abdomen can help relieve pain and discomfort caused by a UTI. You can use a heating pad or take a warm bath to help ease symptoms.
Try Natural Remedies.
Some natural remedies like cranberry juice, pineapples, and garlic extract have been shown to help prevent and treat UTIs.
Rest And Manage Stress.
Getting enough rest and managing your stress levels can also help support your body's natural healing process. Stress can weaken your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight off infections, so make sure you're taking time to rest and relax.
Practise Good Hygiene.
To prevent future UTIs, it's important to practise good hygiene. Make sure you wipe from front to back after using the bathroom and avoid using harsh soaps or perfumes in the genital area. You should also urinate after sexual activity to help flush out any bacteria that may have entered the urinary tract.
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