Homeopathy for UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
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Homeopathy for UTI treatment is a natural and holistic procedure. Statistics show that 50-60% of women experience urinary tract infections (UTI) at some point in their lives. Out of all women with bacterial infections, 25% are diagnosed with UTI. These figures are an indication of how common is UTI. Therefore, if you have one, you don’t need to feel embarrassed or suffer in silence.
So, what next for you if you are diagnosed with a urinary tract infection? First of all, DO NOT PANIC. It is not the end of the world.
Studies show that 25-42% of simple UTIs can disappear without treatment because the body can fight the infection. Embracing a healthy immunity stimulating lifestyle takes care of bulk of your problems.
That said, most UTIs are complicated and can fail to respond to antibiotics, or can alter your flow of urine, or affect your urinary tract. That is why it is advisable to have them treated.
Additionally, UTI reoccurs in 1 out of every 5 women. This makes it all the more important to find a natural and permanent solution to deal with this issue?
Homeopathic Treatment for Urinary Tract Infection
Homeopathic treatment for urinary tract infection (UTI) helps you manage the uncomfortable symptoms permanently. With homeopathic treatment for UTI you can prevent the high-risk complications that can arise at an advanced stage. Permanent nature of homeopathic treatment also prevents the recurring infections of urinary tract.
Several studies have been done to assess the power of homeopathic medicines in getting rid of urinary tract infections as more women are taking to homeopathic treatment for its holistic nature. Results of these studies indicate how homeopathy is so successful at treating UTI effectively.
A study was done on patients suffering from spinal cord injury (SCI) who were also struggling with UTIs at a rehabilitation center in Switzerland. 25 of the participants were introduced to homeopathy while 10 were part of the control group. These two groups were assessed for a year to see if there was a difference. According to results, the patients on homeopathy had significantly fewer cases of UTI while there was no difference for those in the control group.
4 women suffering from recurrent UTI were put through a study where they were given individualized homeopathic treatments. These women had used conventional medicines but the UTI kept coming back. They then decided put under homeopathic treatment. After the treatment, the researchers made a follow-up with the women for 3 years. Results from this study showed that the participants had fewer occurrences of UTIs. Previously, the women would take antibiotics monthly to curb the symptoms of UTI but after the homeopathic treatment, the usage of antibiotics dropped by 75%.
Another study was done on individuals who had neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction brought about by SCI. Patients with this condition usually experience recurring UTIs which was the case with this group too. 8 patients were put on homeopathic care and a follow up done for 15 months. At the end of the study, 5 participants were UTI-free while the remaining 3 patients had less frequent cases of UTI.
These studies are the testimonies to the efficacy of homeopathy in treatment of UTI effectively, especially for those with recurring cases.
What is UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)?
UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) is an infection that occurs in one’s urinary system (as the name suggests) which consists of the bladder, urethra, kidneys, or ureters. When infection-causing bacteria get into the urinary tract through the urethra, it leads to UTI.
Infections can occur in various parts of the urinary tract and so there are upper and lower urinary tract infections. It is important not to get hanged up on this because sometimes even a medical diagnosis cannot determine whether an infection falls in the lower or upper urinary tract.
- Upper Urinary Tract: This area comprises the ureters and the kidneys.
- Lower Urinary Tract: This section houses the urethra and bladder.
Sometimes, the infection can occur in more than one organ.
In order to diagnose you with UTI, your urine sample is examined to check for presence of infecting bacteria.
Another way to determine whether you have UTI is through a urine culture. This test also helps identify the presence of UTI-causing bacteria in the urine.
If you suspect some of the symptoms below, it is wise to seek medical advice for you may have a UTI.
- Blood in the urine: If you spot this, see a health practitioner as soon as possible because it may be a sign of UTI. Additionally, it can also be a sign of other serious conditions like kidney infections, cancer, kidney stones, and so on.
- Fever: When you have UTI, your temperature can go up to 38 degree Celsius or more. The reason you need to see a practitioner is that the fever may also be a sign of a kidney infection which is more serious than UTI.
- Recurring UTI: If your UTI doesn’t go away for good, it may be time to check with a doctor so they can perform comprehensive treatment procedure to ensure you get a holistic relief.
- Worsen symptoms: If you notice that the symptoms of UTI are worsening with each passing day, consult your doctor.
What Happens During UTI?
UTI makes your urethra and the bladder lining inflamed (red, swollen, irritated). Imagine how your throat feels whenever you catch cold. That is the same feeling you get in your urinary tract. You may feel pain in your lower back or pelvic area due to the irritation. The same irritation also makes you feel like peeing all the time even though your bladder is not full and you may only get a few drops out.
If the infection is left untreated then it can move to your bladder and then get into your kidneys which is a dangerous sign. If you already have other kidney issues then it increases the chances of your kidneys’ failing.
What Causes UTI?
When infection-causing bacteria get into your urinary tract and starts multiplying, you can get UTI. Just like other parts of our bodies, the urinary system has mechanisms in place to fight off bacteria. However, sometimes it is not able to do that and so the bacteria keep multiplying and results in a urinary tract infection (UTI).
A particular type of bacteria known as Escherichia coli or E.coli is responsible for most UTI cases.
E.coli exists in the colon but it can come out of your anus through stool and get into your urethra. In the intestinal tract (colon), E.coli is harmless but when it gets into the urinary tract, it causes UTI.
Both men and women can get UTI. However, women are at greater risk because their urethras are shorter compared to men and so it is easier for bacteria to find their way into the urinary tract of a woman.
Some women are more prone to UTI compared to others. Below are the factors that make you susceptible to UTIs.
Sexual Activities
Research shows that women who engage in sexual activities have higher chances of getting UTI. Also, being with a new partner sexually increases this risk. Although UTIs are not classified as sexually transmitted infections/diseases; bacteria from your partner’s fingers, genitals, anus, or even sex toys can get into your bladder, resulting in UTI.
Peculiarity of Female Anatomy
Being a woman, you are at more risk of getting UTI because of your body structure. The fact that your urethra is short and is located near your anus means bacteria can easily move from the anus and into the urinary tract through the urethra.
Certain Birth Control Techniques
Some techniques of birth control such as the diaphragm put you at higher risk of getting UTI. This is because diaphragms are used in conjunction with spermicides to help kill sperms and prevent conception. Problem is, as it kills sperms, it can also destroy the protective bacteria in a woman’s vagina not to mention interfering with the pH balance too. The result is an increase in the growth of bacteria that cause UTI.
Pregnancy and Past UTI
According to statistics, 2-10% of expectant women get UTIs. The chances of re-occurrence during pregnancy are also higher. That means, if you have had UTI in the past, then you are more likely to get it during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, your tummy presses on the bladder as it grows which means you don’t release all the urine from the bladder when you urinate. The remaining urine can be a cause of infection.
Poor Hygiene
There’s a reason your doctor insists that you should wipe front to back after going for a long call. Since a woman’s urethra is shorter, it means it is closer to your anus which hosts all kinds of bacteria. The bacteria can easily move from your anus into your urethra and that’s how you can get UTI. General poor hygiene increases the risk of bacteria getting into your urinary tract.
Age
Children and older adults are at higher risk of getting UTIs. When kids are in diapers and they poop, the bacteria can get into their urinary tract causing UTI. When they are also learning to wipe themselves and they don’t do it well, it can lead to the same results. Kids also hold onto their urine for a long time before going to the toilet. Or they pee in a hurry and so fail to empty their bladder. Older people too, may have trouble emptying their bladder or wiping themselves properly. Women, during menopause, experience lower production of vaginal estrogen. Estrogen generally helps the good bacteria to thrive. Lesser estrogen during menopause means inadequate presence of good bacteria. The vagina, hence, becomes defenseless against infections like UTI.
Diabetes
When you have diabetes, your immune system is already weak and so it cannot fight off infections effectively. Also, diabetes interferes with the nerves which makes it challenging to empty one’s bladder.
Urinary Catheter
Those who rely on a catheter to help them release urine have a 10-30% more chance of getting UTIs as these devices are directly connected to the bladder, making them prone to infection.
Signs and Symptoms of UTI
If you happen to notice some the following prominent signs and symptoms of UTI, you should prepare to visit a doctor.
- Constant urge to pee: You feel like urinating all the time and even if you’ve just come from the toilet, you feel like going back and sometimes the pee that comes out is very little.
- Burning sensation while urinating: When you have UTI, chances are you feel pain or burning sensation while urinating.
- Urinating at night: You might notice that you visit the toilet a lot at night, more than you usually do.
- Colored urine: Your urine may appear red or pink. This is an indication of presence of blood in it.
- Leaking urine: It is common for women not to be able to control their urine when they have UTI. Thus, you can find drops of pee on your undergarment.
- Strong-smelling urine: Your urine can have a stronger smell than it normally does.
- Abdominal or pelvic pain: When you have a UTI, your bladder and urethra become inflamed which may lead to you feeling pain or pressure on your lower back or around your pelvis.
- Pain during sex: When you have UTI, you can experience extreme pain during sex. This happens because your urethra is already sensitive and irritated. The act of intercourse can also exert extra pressure on your bladder leading to more pain.
- Nausea and vomiting: You’ll experience nausea and at times vomiting. If this happens along with other symptoms of UTI mentioned above, there are chances that the infection might have reached your kidneys.
- Fatigue: If you feel constantly fatigued, you might need to test for UTI. Sometimes you can even feel shaky.
- Fever and chills: Your temperature may high temperature at times. While some other times you might also feel chilly.
It is important to note that not all people experience all of these symptoms when they have UTI. You might have only one or a few of the symptoms so don’t disregard it just because you don’t have all the symptoms.
Natural Ways to Manage UTI | Home Remedies for UTI
Home remedies are especially useful if UTI is mild. Some of the home remedies can protect you from getting a UTI. They provide you with relief from the symptoms, and prevent a recurrence.
Drink Plenty of Water
When you have a UTI, it is emphasized that you drink lots of water. This is because the more water you drink, the more frequently you’ll urinate and in the process, bacteria will be flushed out of your urinary tract. This is also a way of preventing UTI because the water will dilute your urine and thus make it move through your system faster. This will prevent bacteria from reaching your urinary organs. 6 to 8 glasses of water daily is a good start.
Consume Adequate Amount of Vitamin C
Consuming lots of vitamin C helps you prevent UTI. It works by making your urine more acidic which means that the bacteria causing UTI cannot thrive inside your urinary tract. You can get vitamin C from oranges, raw guava, strawberries, broccoli, kiwifruit, lemon, cantaloupe, and papaya among others. If you already have UTI, it is best to stay away from vitamin C because the increased acidity can irritate your bladder further which will give you more pain while peeing.
Don't Hold Your Urine
When you feel like peeing, don’t hold. If you hold your urine, the bacteria continue to multiply inside your urinary tract, making your condition worse. It’s a good practice to always pee when you need to. If you already have UTI, this practice of not holding your urine, can help you get relief because you’ll be flushing out the bacteria and other toxins each time you pee. The fact that peeing comes with pain when you have UTI makes you want to avoid doing so, but it’s important to do it if you want to get better.
Use Heat Pads
When you put a heating pad around your pelvic area or bladder, the pain in that area tends to subside. Therefore, if you experience pelvic pain as a symptom of UTI, you can try this method. While at it, avoid placing it directly on your skin, use moderate heat to avoid burning yourself, and only do it for a short amount of time.
Include Anti-Oxidants to Your Diet Plan
What you consume in terms of foods and drinks can help to manage or worsen your UTI. A balanced diet is the way to go if you want to avoid UTI. You should incorporate diet rich in antioxidants. For instance, you can add to your diet plan dark chocolate, spinach, cranberries, black tea, tomatoes, oranges, pomegranate juices, and unsweetened probiotic yogurt.
Avoid Wearing Tight Clothing
When you have UTI, avoid wearing tight clothing. When you wear tight clothing, it allows moisture to accumulate in your pelvic area. This becomes a good breeding ground for the UTI causing bacteria. When the bacteria multiply, your UTI gets worse which is not what you want. The same happens when you put on underwear made from synthetic fabrics. So, you should prefer loose clothing and cotton underwear and ensure your pubic area is dry and prevented from moisture build-up. This tip can prevent you from getting UTI, can help you alleviate existing UTI, and also it can help prevent recurrence of UTI.
Practice Good Hygiene | Wipe Front to Back
You have probably heard this a million times but let me repeat it; you need to wipe yourself from the front to the back when you visit the bathroom. This will make it difficult for bacteria to move from your anus into your urinary tract.
General good hygiene habits such as washing your hands when you visit the toilet or cleaning up before and after sex will ensure that bacteria do not get into your urinary tract.
Complications of Untreated UTI
What complications can occur if UTI is left untreated? If ignored or neglected, the UTI can potentially give rise to many complications. Some of them can prove to be of extremely high risk.
Sepsis
Research shows that almost 25% of sepsis cases are a result of UTIs. Further research reveals that 30-40% of those who get sepsis succumb to it. This shows how life-threatening this disease is.
Our bodies are designed to fight off infections including those in our urinary tract. So, when you get UTI, that’s exactly what your body ties to do. Sometimes the body gets overwhelmed resulting in excess inflammation, damaging tissues, or resulting in organ failure. That’s how sepsis comes about. The sepsis caused by untreated UTI is referred to as urosepsis.
Some of the symptoms of this condition include swelling on your body, being confused, experiencing extreme pain, having either extremely low or high body temperature, an increase in heart rate and breathing rate.
Recurring UTI Infections
If you get 3 UTIs or more in a single year, those are recurring UTIs.
Yes, some UTIs can go away on their own without medication. However, most UTIs require treatment and so if left untreated, they can keep on re-occurring. That is what is known as recurring UTI.
1 out of 5 females experiences recurring UTI.
This can be from the same bacteria that refuses to die and so it persists in your urinary tract. Or it be different bacteria too, infecting the same area. So, you always experience discomfort that comes with having UTIs.
Kidney Infection | Pyelonephritis
If the UTI starts in your bladder and you don’t treat it, the infection can move to your upper urinary tract. The infection can get to your kidneys causing a kidney infection. Such infection of kidney is also known as pyelonephritis. Symptoms of a kidney infection include nausea and vomiting, fever and chills, and feeling pain on your sides.
In some cases, the infection can damage your kidneys for good resulting in kidney failure. The people who are at risk of this severe complication include infants and seniors. Also, if your immune system is already weak from other conditions such as cancer and diabetes, and if you are an individual with an abnormal urinary tract; you are at a greater risk of kidney failure.
Homeopathic Remedies for UTI Treatment
Homeopathic remedies for UTI treatment relieve the discomfort that comes with UTIs and prevent recurrences. Homeopathic remedies come with no side effects. Here are some of the top homeopathic medicines used to treat UTIs. It is important to know that a homeopathic doctor assesses your entire case before prescribing the best suited remedy.
Many women are moving away from the use of antibiotics to treat urinary tract infections because of their side effects which include rashes, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and nerve damage.
Cantharis
Cantharis is the most commonly used and effective homeopathic medicine to treat UTIs. It works the best to reduce inflammations in the urinary tract. It makes you feel better by reducing your irritation or swelling in the urinary tract. A homeopathic doctor can prescribe Cantharis if you experience:
- Restlessness
- Intense urge to urinate
- Burning sensation or pain during urination
- Pain in your lower back
- Fear of drinking water even if you are thirsty
- Frequent urination
- Severe headache
- Releasing small amount to urine during urination
- Blood in urine
- Increased sexual desire despite all the discomforts
Sepia
Sepia is often recommended for women who have recurring UTIs. More particularly if you have used antibiotics a lot in the past. It works well if you:
- Have thrush
- Have lost interest in sex
- Experience pain during sex
- Always feel tired and fatigued
- Get a sudden, urgent need to urinate
- Feel like urinating frequently
- Feel tightness in the bladder
- Experience irritability
- Able to release very little urine while urinating
Nux vomica
If you constantly feel like urinating, your homeopathic doctor may prescribe Nux vomica. This homeopathic remedy is effective at treating issues with the urinary organs which are responsible for the constant need to pee. Nux vomica is recommended if you:
- Always feel like the bladder is full though only a few drops of urine come out when you visit the toilet
- Feel extremely chilly
- Feel pain in your bladder
- Feel irritable
- Feel itchy while urinating
- Always feel cold
- Stay impatient
Sarsaparilla
If you have cystitis (UTI of the bladder) and other medications have not worked to eliminate it. Or if your symptoms are a bit vague, sarsaparilla may be the best suited homeopathic medicine for you. It works in cases where:
- You get frequent urge to urinate
- You pass urine well while standing upright but when you sit down, it only falls in drops
- There’s blood in your urine
- You feel pain when you are done urinating
Lycopodium
Lycopodium is prescribed if your symptoms include:
- Releasing large amount of urine at once
- Urinating a lot at night
- Feeling a painful sensation in your back before urination and then straining so the pee can come out
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Urine comes our slow and with weak flow
Types of UTI
There are different types of UTIs depending on which section of your urinary tract they occur.
Cystitis
When the UTI is in your bladder, it is referred to as cystitis. Bacteria found on your skin or anus can slip into your urethra which is the tube that transports urine from the bladder and out of your body.
When you have this infection:
- Your bladder becomes swollen and irritated
- You might feel pain while peeing or,
- You might feel frequent need to urinate
- You may find blood in your urine
- In certain cases, you may experience pain in your lower belly
Some of the things that can expose you to cystitis include using a catheter, tampon, diaphragm birth control, habit of holding back peeing, sexual intercourse, vigorous sex, and radiotherapy.
If you have a mild case of cystitis, it can disappear on its own after a few days. However, if it doesn’t clear within 4 days, you should seek treatment because it is a potential threat for kidney infection.
Pyelonephritis
When the infection is in your kidneys, its called pyelonephritis. Often, the infection starts in the urethra or bladder, and then it moves to the kidneys. This infection can be in one of your kidneys or both of them.
Kidney infection or pyelonephritis is a serious condition which if not treated, can destroy your kidneys for good. Additionally, if the infection goes further into your blood, it can become life threatening. Therefore, you should seek medical attention when you suspect you might be having pyelonephritis.
Factors that can make you prone to pyelonephritis include damage to the spinal cord or nerve, using a catheter, undergoing urinary tract surgery, or having any kidney-related issues like the presence of kidney stones.
This infection often comes with:
- Nausea
- Smelly urine
- Fever
- Upper back pain
- Pain while urinating
- Pain on your side or back
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Urethritis
This is the type of UTI that occurs in your urethra and causes inflammation to this organ. Urethritis comes about when bacteria from the skin surrounding the opening of the urethra get inside the urethra. This can happen during sexual activities, injury from the use of a catheter, or being exposed to chemicals like spermicides. Examples of these bacteria include gonococcus which usually causes gonorrhea, and the bacteria that causes chlamydia (it’s called chlamydia trachomatis). The bacteria that reside in the stool can also lead to urethritis.
This infection is usually accompanied by:
- Pain while urinating
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Releasing abnormal discharge from your vagina, or urethra
- Straining just before commencing urination
- Painful sex
In normal circumstances, urethritis can disappear after 3 months without treatment. It is however advisable to get treatment because the infection can move to your fallopian tubes and create serious issues like infertility. Also, during these 3 months, the infection is able to spread to other organs close to urethra.
Engaging in risky sexual behavior and having suffered from a sexually transmitted disease in the past increases your chances of having urethritis.
Effects of UTI on Pregnancy
2-10% of pregnant women get UTI. Also, the chances of a UTI recurring are higher when you are pregnant.
Some factors put pregnant women at higher risk of UTIs and they include:
- Hormonal changes: When you get pregnant, your hormones fluctuate which makes it easier for bacteria to get into your urinary tract, multiply and give you UTI. Also, during this time, you may not able to completely empty your bladder because of the pressure that your uterus exerts on the bladder. The remaining urine can then make it easier for the bacteria to cause UTI.
- Bacteria spread: The E.coli bacteria from your bowel can spread into your urethra if you don’t wipe front to back.
- Sex: Although it is okay to have sex when pregnant, it exposes you to UTI when the E.coli bacteria gets into your urethra during intercourse.
You may be happy to hear that UTI does not put your unborn baby in danger. However, if left untreated, it can result in kidney infection which can be harmful to you and indirectly to your baby. You can develop complications such as sepsis, pneumonia, and even premature labor. The baby can also be underweight when delivered by a mom with an untreated UTI.
When UTIs keep recurring, they can make it difficult for you to get pregnant especially if the infections affect the upper urinary tract where the uterus, fallopian tubes, and kidneys are located. The infection can damage your fallopian tubes and so conceiving can become an uphill task. Also, if it develops into chronic kidney disease then it may also lead to infertility because it tampers with the ovulation process.
Final Thoughts on Homeopathy for UTI Treatment
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are so common amongst women to a point where some do not take them seriously. As discussed, although it can be mild and clear on its own, a UTI can also lead to serious health complications such as sepsis, infertility, early labor, and even death when it turns into a kidney infection. Therefore, it is vital to take the necessary precautions to prevent UTIs and have them treated. Homeopathic treatment for UTI has been quite effective over the years. Given its holistic nature, homeopathic treatment takes care of other associated ailments at the same time. Get yourself homeopathic treatment and say goodbye to urinary tract infections.
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About the Author |
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Dr. Sanchita Dharne, recognized as the best homeopathic doctor in Gurgaon, is an expert in homeopathic treatment of UTI and other chronic ailments pertaining to women. She is among the finest practitioners of classical homeopathy. She believes in stimulating natural healing mechanism of body for treatment of ailments. |