What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infections are some of the most common bacterial infections in women. While men can also get UTIs, it is a lot more common with women due to anatomical differences. UTIs affect the urinary system, which consists of the following:

The kidneys, which filter blood and make urine to remove waste and toxins from the body
The ureters, a pair of thin tubes that carry urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder
The bladder, which stores urine before it is eliminated from the body
The urethra, a tube that carries urine out of the body

Causes of UTIs

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur when bacteria enter the urinary system. Women are at a greater risk of developing UTIs than men due to their anatomy. Women not only have a shorter urethra, but the urethral opening is closer to the anus, from where bacteria can spread to the urinary tract.

Risk Factors for UTIs

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), risk factors for urinary tract infections include:

Female anatomy
Sexual activity
Certain forms of birth control, such as diaphragms and spermicides
Other infections, such as sexually transmitted infections (for example, chlamydia and gonorrhea)
Menopause
Enlarged prostate in men
Having a catheter to drain urine
Recent urinary procedure
Blockages or structural abnormalities in the urinary tract
Weakened immune system
Poor hygiene

Common Symptoms

Symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTIs) depend on where the infection is present. The following infections typically present with the symptoms outlined below:

Kidney infection (pyelonephritis): fever, chills, back or side (under the ribs) pain, nausea, vomiting, frequent, painful urination
Bladder infection (cystitis): Frequency, urgency, painful urination, lower abdominal pain or discomfort, pelvic pain and pressure, blood in urine, cloudy or smelly urine
Urethra infection (urethritis): Burning with urination, discharge

UTIs can be classified as upper or lower UTIs. Lower UTIs affect the lower parts of the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder, or prostate. Upper UTIs are infections of the ureters and kidneys.

Remember that there are many overlapping symptoms between upper and lower UTIs; if left untreated, a lower UTI (a urethra or bladder infection) can spread and cause ureter or kidney infection, which require prompt treatment; severe cases of upper UTIs may even need hospital admissions.

Complications of UTIs: Why You Should Get Treated ASAP

Urinary tract infections are easily treatable by a healthcare professional. However, if left untreated, especially in the cases of elderly or those who are immunocompromised, they can cause complications such as:

Recurrent urinary tract infections (two or more infections in six months or three or more infections in one year)
Permanent kidney damage
Premature birth or low birth weight in babies born to pregnant women with untreated UTIs
Narrowing of the urethra in men with recurrent UTIs
Sepsis

Search For Savings On Your UTI Medications

Medical Interventions for Rapid UTI Relief

Over-the-Counter Medications

Urinary Analgesics

Phenazopyridine hydrochloride (Azo, Uristat) and Cystex (methenamine/sodium salicylate) are popular over-the-counter urinary analgesic that can provide fast relief from UTI symptoms such as pain, burning, frequency, and urgency in as little as 30 minutes. However, you should not take this medication for more than 2 days without your doctor’s advice. This drug will not kill bad bacteria. It merely blocks nerve cells in urinary tract cells to provide symptom relief. Learn about 5 Over-The-Counter Medications to Take With Precaution

Over-The-Counter Pain Medications

OTC painkillers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Advil (ibuprofen) can provide relief from UTI pain.

While these OTC pain relievers are generally safe for most healthy individuals, remember that they may not be safe for certain health conditions. Those with kidney disease or heart failure should avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). Acetaminophen (Tylenol) must be used with caution in people with liver problems.

You should always check with your doctor to find out which OTC pain medication is the safest option for you.

Prescription Medications

Antibiotics are the only proven approach to treat urinary tract infections. They kill bacteria that cause UTIs. Decades of research and studies have not found that any alternative treatments work as well as antibiotics for effective UTI relief. Commonly prescribed antibiotics for UTIs include:

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Bactrim DS)
Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Macrodantin)
Fosfomycin (Monurol)
Cephalexin (Keflex)
Amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin)
Cefdinir (Omnicef)
Cirpofloxacin (Cipro)
Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Doxycycline - used to treat urethritis (infection of the urethra) caused by chlamydia
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)- ceftriaxone is an injectable medication that can be given as an intravenous (IV — into the vein) or intramuscular (IM — into a muscle) medication. All other antibiotics listed above are oral medications. Ceftriaxone is typically administered in a healthcare facility, except if required long-term. In these cases, the patient is discharged with IV access and education on how to administer IV ceftriaxone, which is supplied by a home infusion pharmacy.

Your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics for 3 to 10 days to treat UTIs. However, complicated cases may require antibiotic treatment for 14 days or longer. Regardless of the duration, you should always finish the entire course of the prescribed antibiotics, even if you start to feel better around the third day of taking them.

Natural Solutions: How to Get Rid of a UTI at Home?

The following home remedies can ease symptoms if you don’t want to start antibiotics right away or while you wait for your antibiotics to start working. However, this should not be a reason to delay taking antibiotics.

Heating Pads or Hot Water Bottles for Pain Relief

Placing a heating pad or hot water bottle on your lower belly or lower back can reduce discomfort caused by a UTI.

Hydration - How Much Water to Drink for a UTI?

Drinking 1.5-2 liters (6-8 cups) of water every day can help flush bacteria out of your urinary system. Hydration can also help prevent future urinary tract infections.

Cranberry Juice and Cranberry Supplements

Drinking cranberry juice is a common natural remedy for UTIs. There is no strong scientific evidence that this can prevent or treat UTIs. However, it is a low-risk home remedy that is unlikely to cause harm. You could, therefore, drink cranberry juice or take cranberry supplements as natural treatments for UTI.

Vitamin C for UTIs

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) may help in treating UTIs by making the urine more acidic. However, again, there is no scientific evidence that this is true. Nonetheless, vitamin C is important for healthy immune function. Taking vitamin C might, therefore, be reasonable if you have a UTI. You can take a vitamin C supplement or eat more vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits.

Probiotics for UTI Prevention

Probiotics contain live, healthy bacteria such as Lactobacillus. These helpful bacteria can prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and also prevent them from sticking to the urinary tract walls. More research is needed to understand if probiotics containing beneficial bacteria can actually prevent or treat UTIs. However, taking probiotics may help to minimize antibiotic side effects such as diarrhea. You can take probiotic supplements or eat fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi.

D-Mannose

D-mannose is a simple carbohydrate found in fruits and vegetables. It gets concentrated in the urine and can prevent bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls. It’s not clear how well D-mannose works to treat or prevent urinary tract infections, but some studies have shown promising results. You can take a D-mannose supplement or obtain it from apples, oranges, blueberries, and tomatoes.

When Natural Remedies Can (and Can’t) Help

Antibiotic treatment is necessary for UTIs in most cases. However, some mild, uncomplicated UTIs may go away on their own in a few days, especially if you are generally healthy with a robust immune system.

Certain high-risk individuals, such as pregnant women and those with a weak immune system, kidney problems such as kidney stones, or catheters, should call their healthcare professional at the first sign of a UTI.

When to Seek Medical Advice from a Healthcare Provider

Call your doctor if your symptoms persist after trying UTI home remedies for 1-2 days. Also, seek medical advice from your healthcare provider if you have symptoms such as:

Fever
Chills
Nausea
Vomiting
Blood in urine
Severe pain with urination
Changes in the amount or color of your urine

Lifestyle Adjustments to Prevent Future UTIs

Diet and Nutrition: Foods to Eat and Avoid

Diet

A 2020 study conducted in Taiwan has shown that people who eat a vegetarian diet have a lower risk of developing UTIs. This may be because animal-origin foods such as poultry and pork are reservoirs of E. coli, which is the most common bacteria implicated in UTIs. Vegetarian diets may also help by keeping the urine pH more neutral, which prevents growth of bacteria causing UTIs.

However, the authors of the study mentioned some limitations to their research. One of the limitations is the fact that, instead of using clinical symptoms and laboratory work (such as urine culture), they used the International Classification of Disease (ICD), a globally used medical classification managed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Additionally, study results may also be affected by confounding factors such as sexual activity and water intake. The authors further endorsed that future research is vital to learn more about the relationships between vegetarian diets and UTI risks.

Beverages

Certain beverages such as sodas, tea, coffee, alcohol, and apple cider vinegar may worsen UTI symptoms by irritating the bladder. On the other hand, drinking sugar-free cranberry juice and staying well hydrated by drinking water can help to flush harmful bacteria from the urinary tract and provide relief from urine pain.

Lifestyle Changes for Prevention of Future Infections

Changing certain lifestyle habits and the use of certain products can help prevent UTIs:

Use sanitary pads instead of tampons. Change the pad after every visit to the bathroom.
Avoid the use of douches or other feminine hygiene products, including any perfumed powders or sprays.
Take showers rather than baths. Avoid using bath oils.
Urinate before and after sexual activity. Drinking water after sex may promote the urge to urinate.
Clean your genital area before and after sex.
Wipe from front to back after peeing or pooping.
Wear loose clothing and cotton underwear. Change your underwear at least once daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you flush out a UTI ASAP?

In addition to good hygiene, you can help flush harmful bacteria from your urinary tract by staying well-hydrated and taking prescribed antibiotics.

How much water does it take to flush out a UTI?

Doctors recommend drinking at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily if you have a UTI.

Can UTI clear up overnight?

UTIs do not usually clear up overnight. It takes 1-2 days for antibiotics to start working and provide symptom relief.

How do you get rid of a UTI without seeing a doctor?

Home remedies for a UTI include:

Urinary analgesics such as Azo (2 days only)
Over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen)
Heating pad or hot water bottle
Hydration
Cranberry supplements
Vitamin C
Probiotics
D-mannose

Conclusion: How to Get Rid of a UTI Fast?

Recap of Effective Strategies to Get Rid of a UTI in 24 Hours

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can cause a burning sensation, pain, frequent urination, and urgency to use the bathroom.

The fastest way to treat a urinary tract infection is antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics kill harmful bacteria that cause UTIs. Most people get relief from UTI symptoms within 1-2 days of starting UTI treatment with antibiotics. However, these drugs can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Rarely, they can cause an allergic reaction.

Some UTIs may go away on their own without taking antibiotics. However, symptoms are likely to persist for 7 days or longer.

High-risk individuals such as pregnant women should call their healthcare professional at the first sign of symptoms and start antibiotics if a UTI is diagnosed.

Rapid UTI Relief: Balancing Home Remedies and Professional Medical Advice

It’s important to get professional medical advice so that an active UTI can be properly treated. Antibiotics are the best way to flush out a UTI ASAP. However, taking antibiotics when they are not needed can lead to antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, professional medical advice is important for a proper diagnosis.

Home remedies can provide relief from symptoms while you wait for the antibiotics to kick in and the UTI to go away.

Act Quickly at the First Sign of Symptoms

A severe infection of the urinary tract, if left untreated, can lead to serious health complications. It’s important to act quickly and seek medical care at the first sign of symptoms. This will ensure a UTI is diagnosed properly and you are treated with antibiotics and other UTI treatments for fast relief.

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