Urinary tract infection or UTI is a common condition that affects millions of people. UTI is usually treated using antibiotics. However, there are several home remedies and alternative treatment options that can help you treat and prevent the condition from recurring.

Here’s a list of some home remedies and alternative treatments that you can consider for UTI:

1. Keep your body hydrated
One of the easiest and most effective home remedies to treat as well as prevent UTI is keeping your body hydrated. Drinking water allows your body to flush out waste properly. In addition to removing toxins, water also lets the body retain all the essential electrolytes and nutrients. Having enough water in the body helps in diluting the urine, which allows it to pass through the system more easily. This prevents harmful bacteria from reaching the cells present in the urinary organs, which leads to infection. There is no set quantity of water that an adult should have in a day. This is because everybody has different hydration needs. However, to consider an average, every person must drink anywhere between six and eight glasses of water every day.

2. Have unsweetened cranberry juice
Another popular and effective remedy for treating UTI is drinking unsweetened cranberry juice. Cranberries prevent bacteria from reaching the urinary tract that results in the prevention of infections. A study found out that when women with past episodes of UTIs drank 240 ml of cranberry juice daily for 24 weeks, they experienced fewer episodes of UTIs as compared to women who didn’t. Make sure you stick to the unsweetened cranberry juice and not the sweetened one.

3. Consume probiotics
Healthy microorganisms that are usually consumed through supplements and foods are probiotics. These probiotics are important to boost the bacterial balance in the gut. Probiotics can be taken in the form of supplements or eaten in the form of fermented foods. These foods include kimchi, probiotic yogurt, kefir, etc. Probiotics have been known to give a boost to digestive health as well as strengthen the immune system. There have also been studies that show the benefits of some strains of probiotics, which can reduce the chances of UTIs.

4. Take more vitamin C
There is some evidence that shows taking more vitamin C can prevent UTI. Vitamin C is believed to be effective in preventing UTI because it increases acidic levels in the urine. This kills the bacteria that lead to infection. There are several fruits and vegetables that are loaded with vitamin C. You can add oranges, red peppers, kiwifruit, and grapefruit to your meals to increase your intake of vitamin C.

5. Follow good sexual hygiene
Intercourse exposes the urinary tract to bacteria and microbes that can cause UTI. Therefore, following good sexual hygiene is essential. Some of the important practices include urinating pre- and post-intercourse, using contraception, and cleaning genitals. Partners must also make each other aware if there has been a history of UTI.