Homeopathic and Alternative Treatments for UTIs?>

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a debilitating medical condition with symptoms that include a frequent urge to urinate with burning or stinging sensations and pain centralized in the bladder area. Sometimes, UTIs can be accompanied by fever and various other symptoms.

Traditional medical remedies, such as prescriptions and creams, generally work well to treat UTIs, but sometimes more is required and other treatments can be used as supplements.

In some cases, homeopathics, a non-toxic system of medicine, can be used to treat a UTI and also relieve discomfort from a UTI. There are many homeopathics for UTIs available, including cranberry juice and Uva Ursi.

Alternative UTI Treatments: Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice, also known as Vaccinium macrocarpon or Vacinnium oxycoccus, is one of the oldest natural methods for treating UTIs. Cranberry juice contains proanthocyanins, which prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract and wash away the bacteria that cause a UTI.

If a patient uses cranberry juice for treating UTIs, then it needs to be unsweetened. Cranberry extract tablets have been shown to be even more effective than regular cranberry juice in treating UTIs and can be found at certain drug stores or health stores.

Uva Ursi for Treating UTIs

Uva Ursi, also known as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, is an herb and is considered a folk remedy UTI treatment. Uva Ursi contains an active component called arbutin that can be broken down and then excreted in the kidneys, where it seems to have antiseptic properties.

Uva Ursi contains tannins, which can cause liver damage if they are consumed excessively. Other side effects of Uva Ursi can include:

• brown or green colored urine
• indigestion
• nausea
• ringing in the ears.

Uva Ursi has also been associated with retinal damage, seizures, cyanosis and cancer, in some cases. Patients with kidney or liver disease as well as pregnant women should not take Uva Ursi.

Other Natural Homepathics for UTIs

In addition, there are other methods of treating urinary tract infections, all of which address different symptoms that a patient may be experiencing.

When using natural homeopathics to treat a UTI, it is recommended that a patient take a low dose, wait for the results and then see if a higher dosage is required.

Here are a few medications and natural treatments for UTIs:

• Azo-Standard^®: This is an over-the-counter product that can relieve the pain that comes with UTIs. However, it will not cure the main infection, so additional treatment is required.
• Belladonna: This plant is especially good if the urge to urinate is frequent and intense or if the bladder feels especially sensitive. Side effects may include a cramping or writhing sensation in the bladder area and small amounts of discolored urine.
• Berberis vulgaris: Any time there is a burning feeling on the uretha and the opening, this herb may be a good option.
• Borax: This is another medicine that is helpful when there is pain in the urinary opening.
• Cantharis: This homeopathic remedy is good for anyone with a strong urge to urinate or cutting pains before and after urination.
• Chimaphila umbellate: This medicine may be good for someone who has to urinate but feels that he must strain to release urine.
• Clematis: This medication is for those who have to urinate frequently yet can only release a small amount of urine per attempt.
• Equisetum: Sometimes a UTI sufferer can feel a dull pain and a feeling of fullness in the bladder even after urination. This medicine can help alleviate these symptoms.
• Lycopodium: Someone who feels a need to urinate frequently during the night may benefit from this remedy. This homeopathic medication can also help with pain.
• Nux vomica: This medication can help when a UTI patient feels a constant need to urinate coupled with a burning or cramping sensation and an itching sensation.
• Sarsaparilla: This medication might be especially useful in cases where the patient has a frequent urge to urinate accompanied by a burning pain. Also, it is usually helpful with cases of kidney stones.

Not all of these remedies will work for everyone. In most cases of UTI, it 's best to see a doctor for a prescription medication. This is usually the fastest way to alleviate UTI symptoms. A doctor can also recommend a cream medication to apply immediately for symptom relief.

Resources

About.com (2007). Natural Remedies for a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Retrieved October 5, 2007, from the About.com Web site: http://altmedicine.about.com/od/healthconditionsdisease/a/uti.htm.

About.com (2007). Treatments for Urinary Tract Infections. Retrieved October 5, 2007, from the About.com Web site: http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/vaginalinfections1/a/treatmentuti.htm.

Publix (2007). Homeopathic Remedies for Urinary Tract Infection. Retrieved October 5, 2007, from Publix Web site: http://www.publix.com/wellness/notes/Display.do?id=Homeo