Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) are OTC pain relievers that could help ease some of the pain and discomfort UTIs can cause. Phenazopyridine is another pain reliever that could help relieve uncomfortable symptoms. Some forms of phenazopyridine are OTC while others require a prescription.
Drink plenty of water during the day to help flush out bacteria. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and soft drinks that contain caffeine or citrus juice. These tend to irritate your bladder and aggravate the urgency and frequency of your need to urinate. Avoid drinking a lot of fluids before bed.
When you have a UTI, the bladder tells the brain to urinate much more frequently, even when it feels empty. This is because the bacteria that caused the UTI irritated the delicate lining of the urinary tract. This irritation causes inflammation and a painful burning when you urinate.
Take showers instead to help you relax and keep UTIs away — especially if you're a woman with a higher risk of UTIs. If your shower has a hand attachment, keep it pointed down rather than up when washing your genitals to prevent bacteria from going the wrong way.
Urinating often when you have a UTI can reduce the risk of a worsening infection. This happens because urination puts pressure on the bacteria. The longer you hold urine, the higher the risk for bacteria to build up in your system. Make sure to use the restroom as soon as possible if the urge arises.
New evidence from the American Journal of Kidney Diseases linked prolonged sitting to kidney problems, including UTIs. According to the study, those who sit less and exercise more has the lowest risk of developing urinary complications.
There are a few over-the-counter (OTC) medications that can help with UTI symptoms until your antibiotic kicks in: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) Naproxen (Aleve)
Of course, make sure your bladder is completely empty before going to bed. You might also consider setting alarms during the night so that you can wake up and use the bathroom. Tools like a hot water bottle, heating pad, or even over-the-counter pain relievers can all help you with nighttime discomfort, too.
The best sleeping positions for UTI relief are on your back with a pillow under your knees, or on your side with a pillow between your legs. This helps to take the pressure off of your bladder and gives you the best possible chance of getting a good night's sleep.
Emergency rooms are for just that—emergencies. Although painful, UTIs are not life-threatening and can usually be treated safely and cost effectively at an urgent care center. Common symptoms of UTIs that can be taken care of at an urgent care include: Strong or frequent urges to urinate.
These symptoms should improve soon after you begin taking antibiotics. If you are feeling ill, have a low-grade fever, or some pain in your lower back, these symptoms will take 1 to 2 days to improve, and up to 1 week to go away completely.
Generally speaking, these infections aren't contagious. It's highly unlikely for anyone to contract a UTI from a toilet seat, because the urethra in males and females wouldn't touch the toilet seat.
Additionally, a number of common foods and drinks — artificial sweeteners, spicy foods, alcohol, coffee, acidic fruits, citrus, or caffeinated drinks — can irritate your bladder, and may worsen UTI symptoms — so you should steer clear of them if you have signs of a bladder infection.
The best position is to sit on the toilet edge, legs separated but supported and leaning forward slightly, which helps open and relax the pelvic floor. This posture helps ensure the proper emptying of the bladder and reduce the chances of UTIs. Take showers and avoid prolonged baths.
Lower UTIs are common and aren't usually a cause for major concern. Upper UTIs can be serious if left untreated, as they could damage the kidneys or spread to the bloodstream.
Holding your urine for extremely long periods of time can also cause urinary tract infections due to bacteria build-up. In addition, it can increase your risk of kidney disease and in rare cases even risk your bladder bursting—a condition that can be deadly.
When left untreated, the infection from a UTI can actually move throughout the body—becoming very serious and even life threatening. If you do not treat a bladder infection, it may turn into a kidney infection, which can then result in a more serious infection that's moved into the blood stream.
Why are UTI symptoms worse at night? Many women experience worsened symptoms at night or early morning because urine output is at its lowest. Reduced urination allows the urine to increase the risk of discomfort and pain in the bladder.
When to go to the ER for UTI Symptoms. If your symptoms have progressed to the point of lethargy, pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and/or blood in the urine, you need to get to the nearest Advance ER right away.
Pain medication: Over-the-counter painkiller like paracetamol will help alleviate some of the pain associated with a UTI.
Water is by far the best beverage choice for someone with a UTI. Drinking at least 12 8-ounce cups of water each day while you have an infection will help flush the bacteria from your system and can speed up the healing process.