For a UTI, the best sleeping positions are on your side (fetal position) or on your back with pillows for support, as these reduce pressure on the bladder and abdomen, easing pain and discomfort; avoid sleeping on your stomach. Using a heating pad or warm water bottle on your abdomen can also help relax muscles, and loose clothing promotes comfort.
The first recommended sleeping position during UTIs is to sleep on your back (supine position). This way, you are minimizing the pressure in the lower abdomen and bladder, leading to decreased pain while sleeping. If you want to improve your comfort, try to spread both feet and place a small pillow below the knees.
The best positions to sleep with a UTI are on your side with a pillow between your legs or on your back with a pillow under your knees. Pillow Cube has products for both scenarios.
Here are seven things you can do to feel better fast.
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.
4 Things to Avoid When You Have a UTI
TO WORK OUT OR NOT TO WORK OUT
While Dr Lee says that “it's fine to work out with a UTI if you feel up to it,” she caveats that with the fact that sweating a lot can lead to dehydration, and “this can make a UTI worse.” It's also probably worth understanding what caused your infection in the first place.
Signs your UTI is getting worse
Wear loose, comfortable clothes
If abdominal pressure is part of the reason you can't sleep with a UTI, you might want to change your sleepwear. Tight clothes can increase pressure on your already sensitive midsection. Opt for loose-fitting, flowy pajamas until you feel better.
Cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes help keep the area around the urethra dry. Tight clothes and nylon underwear trap moisture. This can help bacteria grow.
Your symptoms will normally pass within 3 to 5 days of starting treatment. Make sure you complete the whole course of antibiotics that you've been prescribed, even if you're feeling better. Over-the-counter pain relief such as paracetamol can help with any pain. Drinking plenty of fluids may also help you feel better.
In more severe cases, particularly if the UTI has spread to the kidneys (pyelonephritis), you may experience pain in the lower back or sides, often referred to as flank pain. This pain is sharp and localized, typically in the area where the kidneys are located. It can be accompanied by fever and nausea.
Sometimes UTI symptoms do not go away. Short-term antibiotics may not work and urine tests may not show an infection. This might mean you have a long-term (chronic) UTI. This can be caused by bacteria entering the lining of your bladder.
A UTI becomes an emergency when it causes serious symptoms like high fever, confusion, vomiting, or severe back or side pain. These may be signs the infection has spread to the kidneys or bloodstream. Call 911 or go to the ER if you can't stand, think clearly, or breathe easily.
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.
A 2023 study that got a lot of buzz estimated that E. coli-contaminated meat leads to nearly half a million UTIs in the U.S. each year, making it one of the most common causes of UTIs. Research has also found that 30 to 70 percent of meat products that are sold in retail stores are contaminated with E.
Try to empty your bladder each time. To relieve pain, take a hot bath or lay a heating pad set on low over your lower belly or genital area.
Avoid Foods and Beverages that Can Worsen UTI Symptoms
Caffeinated sodas. Alcohol. Spicy foods. Acidic fruits.
Drink plenty of water – your urine should be pale yellow. Choose showers over baths. Stay away from feminine hygiene sprays, douches, and scented or colored bath products — they'll only increase irritation.
The best drink for a urine infection (UTI) is plenty of water to flush out bacteria, alongside unsweetened cranberry juice (which may help prevent bacteria from sticking) and low-sugar electrolyte drinks, while avoiding bladder irritants like caffeine, alcohol, and citrus juices to help manage symptoms and promote healing. Remember, these are supportive measures, and antibiotics are typically needed for treatment.
Urosepsis is when a urinary tract infection (UTI) leads to sepsis. Sepsis occurs when your body has a life-threatening response to an infection. It's a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment because it can lead to tissue damage, organ failure or death.
Follow these tips to lower your risk of a UTI with little or no potential negative side effects:
Symptoms of a kidney infection might include:
You need antibiotics to treat a UTI. Your provider will select an antibiotic that works best against the bacteria responsible for your infection. Once you get a prescription for antibiotics, it's very important that you follow the directions for taking them.