UTI or Urinary Tract Infection is an infection in the urinary system. It is usually present in the lower urinary tract, including the urethra and the bladder. Women have a higher risk of developing UTI compared to men, and the condition may lead to several complications if it spreads to the kidneys. Given below are some of the best treatment options for UTI.

Medications or antibiotics
Often, antibiotics are the first treatment measure for curing UTI. However, the kind of antibiotic prescribed and its duration depends on the type of bacteria and your present health condition.

1. Simple infections
For infections that haven’t aggravated, individuals are usually given antibiotics such as Ceftriaxone, Trimethoprim, Cephalexin, or Fosfomycin.

In case the UTI is classified as a simple case, a group of antibiotic medicines called fluoroquinolones is not recommended. This is because their negative implications outweigh the benefits. However, in case of kidney infection or complex UTI, the doctor may prescribe fluoroquinolone medicine when no other treatment is available. Even though the infection clears in only a few days of starting the treatment, you may have to continue the antibiotic for the prescribed duration.

2. Recurrent infections
If you suffer from frequent UTIs, the doctor may recommend a single antibiotic dose following a sexual activity, a low-dose antibiotic for six months or longer if required, or vaginal estrogen therapy if the infection is postmenopausal.

3. Severe infection
In the case of severe UTIs, treatment with intravenous antibiotics is recommended.

Home remedies for UTI treatment
In addition to treating UTI with antibiotics, one of the best complementary treatment options is using home remedies. Here are some of them given below.

1. Drink plenty of water
One of the easiest ways to prevent UTIs is by consuming plenty of water. Water helps eliminate the waste from the body while efficiently retaining electrolytes and other vital nutrients. Drinking plenty of water also dilutes the urine and accelerates the journey via the system. This makes it hard for the bacteria to reach the cells surrounding the urinary organs and cause infection.

2. Frequent urination
When you urinate frequently, it adds additional pressure on the bacteria in the urinary tract and nudges it out. This lowers the time that bacteria in the urine is exposed to the urinary tract cells, thereby curtailing the risk of developing a UTI. Thus, whenever you feel the urge, you need to urinate immediately.

3. Consume cranberry juice
Cranberry juice is indeed one of the most prevalent natural remedies to cure UTI. Traditionally, people used this juice to clear general infections. Cranberry is hugely influential in accelerating a wound recovery time, and it is also one of the best treatment options for UTI. Studies suggest that its juice has compounds that do not allow E. coli cells to annex the urinary tract cells. Aside from this, cranberry juice has antioxidants such as polyphenols, which contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. As such, there is no guideline on the amount of cranberry juice you need to drink to cure UTI, but anything around 400 ml will suffice.