5 Tips To Get Rid of a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Quickly
Urinary Tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common infections worldwide. About 50%-60% of women experience UTIs at least once in their lifetime in the US. The symptoms are quite distinct: sometimes blood in your urine, foul-smelling or cloudy urine, an increase in the urgency to urinate, and burning or pain while urinating.
Many people are aware of when they are experiencing a UTI. However, the thing is that you may probably be wondering about how to get rid of UTI quickly.
In this blog, we have covered those 5 top points for you. The sooner you understand UTI symptoms, the easier it will be to treat.
Go to a healthcare provider
While UTIs are not usually a cause of significant concern, they may lead you to more severe problems like a kidney infection. If you have a UTI, make an appointment wit h a healthcare provider as soon as you can. If you are looking for the fastest way to feel better, taking an antibiotic to kill the bacteria causing the infection is the best option.
Get your prescription filled immediately
Once you are done with the appointment and receive the prescription for an antibiotic, you need to get it filled at a pharmacy as soon as you can. The faster you start to take your medication, the faster your UTI will go away.
If you use the next-day prescription mail-order pharmacy or delivery, it is one time when you should not. These options may lead to causing a delay of anywhere from 1 day to 1 week. You are better off using a local pharmacy in this case.
Take OTC medication for urgency and pain
A few medicines are available to help with the symptoms of your UTI until the antibiotics start to kick in.
For example, over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Motrin and Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol), can help with the pain. It happens if you are experiencing pelvic or back pain. However, most people experience quite limited side effects from these, with the most common symptom being mild stomach upset.
Phenazopyridine (AZO) is another OTC option that helps lessen the pain and burning during urination. It is also available in a stronger dose as a prescription. Unfortunately, few providers will prescribe it when they prescribe your UTI antibiotic. It is typical for it not to be covered by insurance companies; however, it is pretty cheap.
Drink water
It is probably one of the easiest tips. Drinking between 6 to 8 cups of water a day can help flush the bacteria out of your bladder. It can also help with stinging and burning while urinating because it makes your urine more diluted. When your urine is diluted during UTI, it becomes less irritating for you.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol are two things you should not consume until you completely get rid of a UTI. They do the exact opposite of water: they make your urine concentrated, irritating the bladder. You are more likely to experience more discomfort or pain while urinating if you continue with these beverages while you have a UTI.
Antibiotics to get rid of the UTI fastest
The antibiotics you will be prescribed depending on a few factors, such as how often you suffer from UTI, your medication allergies, or other medical conditions. No matter the provider you choose, you should know that they all work fine. You can try these three medications:
- Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim)
- Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)
- Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Conclusion
UTIs are one of the most common illnesses in the US. While there are few things you can do at home to help yourself during the uncomfortable symptoms, you need to see a healthcare provider and get started on an antibiotic as soon as you can.
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