Urinary tract infections, commonly referred to as UTIs, are quite common conditions. UTIs are caused when bacteria from outside the body, or inside the vagina if you are a woman, enter the urinary tract. The foreign bodies infect the urinary tract and the bladder causing inflammation (a condition medically known as cystitis). The result is extremely painful urination and sometime pelvic pain as well.
If you feel any of the telltale symptoms of a UTI—like painful urination, sudden urinary incontinence or pain in the urethral area, among others— you must immediately consult with a doctor. The doctor may require a urine sample for testing. If it comes positive for bacteria or pus from inflammation, the doctor will prescribe you an antibiotic. You may need to take the medication 3 to 5 days for the infection to completely clear. Meanwhile, painful urination may persist. Here is what you can do to manage UTIs until the antibiotics clear the infection completely:
Drink Enough Water
UTIs can cause you to want to pass urine all the time or cause incontinence where you pass urine accidentally. Therefore, you may want to drink less water to avoid the painful urination. This is the exact opposite of what you need to do. Dehydration can worsen the infection. Also, you feel the need to urinate more because that helps to flush out the infecting bacteria. So, drink plenty of water even if it causes painful urination. It’s ultimately for your own good.
Use an Over-the-Counter Urinary Alkaliniser
Urine is naturally acidic, so it causes more pain to an infected bladder. Making urine less acidic can help passing urine less painful when you have a UTI. You can buy urinary alkalinisers, like Ural Products, over the counter that do just that. Alkaliniserwill definitely help in taking the sting out of passing urine. Just to be on the safe side, ask your doctor if it’s okay to take a urine alkaliniser when you are on your medication. If you do take a Urine alkaliniser, tell your doctor right away if the symptoms don’t improve within a couple of days.
Make Your Diet Free of Bladder Irritants
Certain foods, like alcohol can me urine more acidic and irritate a sensitive, infected bladder more. So it may help to cut certain foods when you are going through a UTI. Avoid consuming carbonated drinks, nicotine, caffeine or foods and beverages with artificial sweeteners during this time. They may not irritate your bladder for certain, but it will be helpful to avoid possibly irritating your bladder.
Avoid Touching the Infected Area
UTIs can sometimes cause itching and other uncomfortable sensations. Regardless, avoid touching your urinary area until the infection clears. You don’t want to risk introducing even more possibly harmful microorganisms with your hands. Do not rub anything on the urethral area. Avoid applying topical herbal remedies that promise to take the sting away. They probably won’t and you may only end up making the condition worse.
Keep in touch with your doctor and tell him or her if you condition keeps getting worse. The antibiotics should gradually reduce the pain you feel.
