Urinary tract infection happens when the urinary system is affected by a bacterial infection. Urinary tract infection can refer to an infection in any of the parts that consists the urinary system - namely, kidney, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Mostly, it is the bladder and urethra that are infected first, but eventually the infection may spread to any part of the urinary system. Since an untreated infection can spread quickly to other parts of the urinary system, it should be treated properly at the initial stages. Infection of the kidney, for example, it can be a serious problem and may lead to much complication. Urinary tract infection can happen to anyone, but women and elderly people, whose immune system has deteriorated, are considered more susceptible to it.
Urinary tract infection is commonly accompanied with the following symptoms - a frequent and persistent urge to urinate, a burning sensation while passing urine, small amount of urine, traces of blood in urine, and foul-smelling urine. Besides these symptoms, fever, backache, and nausea can also be visible. However, these symptoms may surface only when the kidney is infected. When you experience such symptoms, it is advisable that you visit a doctor and ask for proper medical advice. Usually a course of antibiotics should cure the urinary tract infection. And if your wife is taking antibiotics in consultation with a physician, it should be alright.
However, in case you also want to try out some alternative home remedies, here are some of them that you can try. Baking soda can be mixed with water (half teaspoon in one glass of water) and used as an effective drink to fight urinary tract infection. Baking soda helps to maintain the acid-base balance of urine and fights against bacteria growth. Another good drink to remedy urinary tract infection is cranberry juice. Cranberry juice is known to contain proanthocyanins, which prevents bacteria from clinging to the walls of the urinary tract and thereby helps flushing out of the bacteria from the body. To flush out bacteria from the urinary tract it is also important that water intake is sufficient. Natural antibiotics, like garlic and clove, are also good for fighting urinary tract infection.
It is also important that a healthy diet of fresh vegetables, fruits, cereals, and whole grains is followed. Caffeinated drinks, citrus juices, and alcohol are better avoided until the infection is gone. If there is pain and pressure on the bladder, applying a heating pad on the abdomen can ease the pain and relax the bladder.
answered by G M