Baking Soda & Water for Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are very common bacterial infections that can affect men and women of all ages, although they are 10 times more common in women than in men, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These infections require the treatment of a physician. There are home remedies you can use to help ease the painful symptoms. While baking soda and water may not be the most appetizing of combinations, baking soda may be able to help lessen the intensity of a urinary tract infection or UTI.

Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs are bacterial infections that can affect any portion of your urinary system -- including the bladder, kidneys, urethra and ureters. Women, pregnant women, diabetics, sexually active individuals and those catheterized on a regular basis are more likely to develop urinary tract infections. While minor infections, urinary tract infections need to be treated. A medical history, brief physical examination and a urine sample are used by a physician to come to a diagnosis of a UTI. Antibiotics, over-the-counter pain medication and drinking plenty of fluids are the recommended course of treatment for a UTI.

Symptoms

There are many painful and unwanted symptoms associated with a urinary tract infection. Symptoms often include pain or burning during urination, the frequent urge to urinate and voiding little at a time. Urine may appear cloudy or blood-tinged and have a foul smell. For more severe infections, you may experience pelvic or abdominal pain along with chills, vomiting and nausea. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection should not be ignored.

Baking Soda and Water

Baking soda and water may be able to help ease the symptoms of a UTI, including pain and burning during urination. Dr Laurie Steelsmith, author of "Natural Choices for Women's Health" indicates that drinking a blend of baking soda and water can help ease burning and reduce the frequent urges to urinate. Your baking soda mixture should contain 1 cup of cold water and 1 tsp. of baking soda. Thoroughly mix the baking soda and water together. Baking soda is an alkaline compound that can help to decrease the acidity of your urine. Acidic urine is what causes pain and burning during urination with a UTI.

Warnings

Baking soda and water is not a substitute for conventional treatment of a urinary tract infection. Always check with your doctor prior to using baking soda or any other alternative medicine treatment for a urinary tract infection. UTIs should never go untreated or treated with just baking soda and water. Antibiotics are required to kill the bacteria that causes a urinary tract infection. If left untreated, a UTI can spread to your kidneys or enter your bloodstream. This can require hospitalization and IV medication to treat. Infections that spread to the kidneys can cause permanent damage.