Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria such as GI bacteria and E. Coli. It can affect not only the urethra but also the bladder and even your kidneys if left untreated. Women are more prone to urinary tract infections than men. People who have had a previous infection are more susceptible to becoming infected in the future. Chronic health conditions such as diabetes can also increase the likelihood of infection.
The good news is that you don’t have to deal with a urinary tract infection on your own. Doctors can prescribe one or more medications to completely eradicate a UTI in short order. There are also UTI supplements you can take to boost your urinary tract health and prevent future infections. Getting to know your medication options can help you make informed medical decisions that will enable you to avoid serious health problems long-term.
UTI Test Strips
The first UTI medication on the list is a box of UTI test strips. These strips are easy to use and will tell you, in a matter of minutes, whether you have a UTI. If the result is positive, you’ll likely want to see a doctor as soon as possible to get a medical prescription to treat your condition. However, don’t skip the doctor’s visit if the strips show a negative result.
Painful symptoms common to those who have a UTI can also be indicators of other serious health problems. These include a kidney infection or sexually transmitted infection (STI). Both conditions require medical treatment, and an early diagnosis improves your chances of a fast recovery.
Painkillers
A UTI can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. Painkillers, which you can buy at the local pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription, won’t treat your UTI. However, they will alleviate the painful symptoms while you wait for your scheduled doctor’s visit. Options include Acetaminophen and Phenazopyridine.
Oral Antibiotics
There are various types of antibiotics a doctor can use to treat your urinary tract infection. Some, such as Nitrofurantoin and Fosfomycin, are typically used to treat simple infections. Others, such as Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and Cephalexin, treat severe infections.
At the same time, the severity of the infection isn’t the only factor a doctor will take into account when recommending medication. If you have had an allergic reaction to medication and/or are taking medications for other conditions, be sure to mention this to your doctor. It can determine which antibiotic would be the safest and most effective for your UTI. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you may not be able to take certain types of antibiotics.
The duration of your treatment will depend on the severity of the infection and the type of medication your doctor prescribes. Some medication courses last for a few days. In other instances, you may need to take antibiotics for up to two weeks.
Continue taking the full course of medication as prescribed by your doctor, even if you feel better before your treatment regimen is over. If you stop taking medication early, the infection could recur and become resistant to antibiotics. If the medication isn’t working as expected, or you experience negative side effects, notify your doctor immediately.
IV/IM Antibiotics
If you can’t take oral antibiotics and/or have a severe infection, your doctor may hook you up to an IV drip to administer powerful antibiotics to clear up the infection. Options include Ceftriaxone, Cefiderocol, and Meropenem/Vaborbactam.
What are the Downsides of Conventional UTI Medication?
Antibiotics are effective in clearing up infections, but they can also have negative side effects, some of which can be serious. Because they kill bacteria indiscriminately, the good bacteria in your gut get eliminated along with the bad bacteria that caused the infection. This can wreak havoc on your gut microbiome, which your body relies on to keep your digestive system in good working order.
What’s more, your gut microbiome also impacts your immune system and brain health. Because taking antibiotics compromises your overall health and well-being, it’s a good idea to take probiotics to boost good bacteria growth in your system once the antibiotic treatment regimen is over.
Some people have negative reactions to antibiotics. Symptoms include diarrhea, a rash, difficulty breathing, and nausea. Others develop a natural resistance to antibiotics. This renders the medication useless if you get another UTI infection. In short, antibiotics are a powerful tool to combat infection but shouldn’t be the only tool you use to prevent and deal with urinary tract infections.
UTI Supplements
UTI supplements don’t eliminate a UTI, but they can promote overall gut health to prevent future infections. Cranberry-based supplements are a particularly popular option, as scientific research indicates that cranberries can prevent urinary tract infections.
UTI supplements, unlike medications, should be taken daily to strengthen your gut health and well-being. However, unlike antibiotics, supplements don’t hurt your gut microbiome because they don’t target the good bacteria you need for good health. What’s more, there are no negative side effects to worry about when taking UTI supplements as long as you follow the instructions on the package. Anyone can take UTI supplements, including pregnant women and nursing mothers. Even so, you may want to consult your doctor if you’re taking other medications. Supplements can sometimes interact negatively with certain medicines.
Bear in mind that supplements work best in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle. Drink plenty of water every day and urinate when you have the urge. Wipe from front to back and shower after intercourse. If you are susceptible to UTIs, take probiotic supplements or add probiotic yogurt or kefir to your diet.
UTI Supplements You Can Trust
Utiva offers natural UTI supplements that have been recommended by over 10,000 doctors in the United States and Canada. The company also provides UTI testing strips that you can use to check yourself for infection. Doing so is a good idea even if you don’t have symptoms, as it is possible to have a urinary tract infection and be asymptomatic.
The supplements are for daily use and boost gut health to not only prevent infection but also improve your overall physical and mental health. Those who use them note that they’ve “never felt better” even as they get on in years and thus become more susceptible to infection. Click here to find out more or to place an order for the items of your choice.