Pain medication: Over-the-counter painkiller like paracetamol will help alleviate some of the pain associated with a UTI.
Patients may also take pain relievers, such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen, for general relief of UTI-associated pain.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Many times a UTI will go away on its own. In fact, in several studies of women with UTI symptoms, 25% to 50% got better within a week — without antibiotics.
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.
“It's estimated 50 percent of UTIs can be treated by drinking a significant amount of fluid alone," says Felecia Fick, a Mayo Clinic urogynecology physician assistant who was not involved in the study. "The extra you're drinking is flushing out the bacteria that are present in the urinary tract."
During the infection — and after — make sure to drink a lot of water, at least 12 8-ounce cups per day. This will flush out your system and help prevent future infections. If you feel like you've got to go, GO! Don't hold it, as this simply delays getting rid of more bacteria.
How long does a UTI last untreated? Some UTIs will go away on their own in as little as 1 week. However, UTIs that do not go away on their own will only get worse over time. If you think you have a UTI, speak with a doctor about the best course of action.
“A UTI can last several days up to a week without antibiotics. If symptoms are persisting longer than a week then antibiotics are typically necessary,” Dr. Tharakan says.
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.
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.
Bladder infections or urinary tract infections
If you have new, severe urinary symptoms, leave work and see your doctor. These symptoms can worsen quickly, causing nausea, headaches, and even kidney infections. Early antibiotic treatment is key.
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.
Drink plenty of water
In addition, the need to urinate may be more urgent. Each of these issues may make it tempting to drink less. However, to help the body clear a UTI, a person should increase their water intake.
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.
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.
Typically, you only need to take them for 3 to 7 days, and most people start to feel relief within the first few days.
Bladder infections are a type of UTI, but not all urinary tract infections are bladder infections. A UTI is defined as an infection in one or more places in the urinary tract—the ureters, kidneys, urethra, and/or bladder. A bladder infection is a UTI that's only located in the bladder.