Urine Infection (cont.)
Medical Author:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhDDr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications. Medical Editor:
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP
Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEPDr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident. In this Article
 Are there any home remedies for a urinary tract infection (UTI)?
Comment on this
The best "home remedy" for a UTI is prevention (see section below). However, although there are many "home remedies" available from web sites, holistic medicine publications, and from friends and family members; there is controversy about them in the medical literature as few have been adequately studied. However, a few remedies will be mentioned because there may be some positive effect from these home remedies. The reader should be aware that while reading about these remedies (the term means to correct, relieve, or cure), they should not to overlook the frequent admonition that UTIs can be dangerous. If the person does not experience relief or if his or her symptoms worsen over one to two days, the person should seek medical care. In fact, many of the articles about UTI remedies actually describe ways to reduce or prevent UTIs. Examples of home treatments that may help to prevent UTIs, that may have some impact on an ongoing infection, and that are unlikely to harm people are as follows:
The problem with these home remedies is that standard testing data and results with known amounts or concentrations of these compounds are usually not available. For example, how much cranberry juice is effective for a woman with known cystitis? Most publications do not answer this simple question, and some say that sweetened cranberry juice may aggravate the infection. In addition, it pays to read the entire label for these products as many have a caveat at the end of the ad that says the product does not claim it will cure UTIs. If people elect to try home remedies, they should clearly understand that if symptoms are not reduced or if they get worse, medical care should be sought. Most home remedies do not “cure” a bacterial infection, although a few mild UTIs may be cleared by the body's immune defense system. Home remedies may be dangerous if they cause a person to delay medical care in serious UTIs. There are over-the-counter (OTC) tests available for detecting presumptive evidence for a UTI (for example, AZO test strips). These tests are easy to use and can provide a presumptive diagnosis if the test instructions are carefully followed; a positive test should encourage the person to seek medical care. Reviewed by Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP on 2/1/2013 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Symptoms
Question: What were the symptoms of your urinary tract infection?
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Home Remedies
Question: What kinds of home remedies have you used in addition to the treatments prescribed by your doctor?
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Complications
Question: What complications did you experience with urinary tract infection (UTI)?
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Antibiotics
Question: What antibiotics have been effective in treating urinary tract infections (UTIs)?
Urinary Tract Infection In Adults - Effective Treatments
Question: What kinds of treatments have been effective for your urinary tract infection?
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