How to Get Rid of a UTI in 24 hours - Home Remedies & More

Time to read 8 min

There are many strategies that you can apply to treat a UTI. From pain relievers for the urinary tract to home remedies for a urinary tract infection, there are multiple ways through which you can treat it within 24 hours. Also, when understanding how to get rid of a UTI in 24 hours it is important to understand why women get UTIs.

What is a UTI?

A UTI is an infection in your urinary tract, which is why it is called a urinary tract infection. An infection of the urinary system, which includes your bladder and urethra, can be more common if you have a vulva.


There are two main types of UTIs that you can get, namely cystitis and urethritis. When you have an infection in your bladder, you generally have cystitis. A urethritis occurs when you have an infection in the urethra.


You should also be mindful of recurrent urinary tract infections which can arise after several UTI treatment protocols. An uncomplicated urinary tract infection can differ from recurrent urinary UTIs, which is why it is important to study the urinary tract cells for signs of infection related damage.

What happens when a UTI is left untreated?

There is a significant risk of the UTI spreading and damaging your urinary tract, when left untreated long-term. There is a risk of infection in the kidneys, especially if your body is unable to get rid of toxins in a timely manner.


That's why even though UTIs are common, you should take the right precautions and start treatment immediately. From antibiotics to home remedies, you can take multiple steps in ensuring that you are protected.


One of the most important steps in treating UTIs is to start medication immediately. Recurrent UTIs can be longer lasting, which is why it is best to treat UTIs with the right medicine. You can avoid the risk of kidney infection by not only opting for natural remedies, such as unsweetened cranberry juice, but also medication.

Cranberry juice is the best solution

The benefits of cranberry juice are underrated, which is why we should be consuming more cranberry juice in our daily lives. The compounds within cranberries can actually help against UTIs and improve UTI symptoms in a shorter timeframe.


You can experience instant relief if you drink cranberry juice for a UTI in the event that your symptoms are not deescalating. They contain certain levels of A-type proanthocyanids (PACs) which can help in flushing out the bacteria from the urinary tract.


You can also experience relief from diluting cranberry juice and drinking it throughout the day. You can also consume cranberries directly, for maximum effect, and check if you're feeling much better within the 24 hour period.


Switching soaps can help

If you are using the same soap for your body and your genitals, then switching soaps can help. Non-perfumed and less harsh soaps can be used for your genitals, which can help in minimizing the risk of UTI development.


By switching soaps, you are also allowing your body's natural bacteria to form a protective layer against external infections. You can also try different soaps that aren't corrosive or cause burning sensations.

Wear loose cotton innerwear

Switching to loose cotton innerwear can help in reducing the symptoms experienced during UTIs. The burning and discomfort feeling can be avoided when you use loose cotton innerwear.


Your risk of symptoms escalation also decreases when you are wearing comfortable innerwear. You can focus on transitioning away from tight synthetic innerwear long-term so that there is more natural breathability.

Hydration is one of the best strategies

We often think that we drink enough water, when the opposite is true in many cases. By ensuring optimal hydration, we can flush out harmful bacteria that can reside within our urinary tract.


We can also ensure that our kidneys have enough water throughout the day to help detoxify our systems. You can focus on drinking 2-3 litres of water a day, by carrying a bottle with you on your commute.



Supplement with Vitamin C

To help your body fight off the UTI, you should focus on increasing your vitamin C intake. You can do so with oranges, limes, and supplements. You can dissolve vitamin C tablets in water and drink it to boost your levels temporarily.


Vitamin C is also excellent for boosting immunity, which can help in fighting off a range of bacteria and infections. You can also take vitamin C pills if you are uncomfortable with the dissolving tablet form.

Practicing good hygiene

Ensuring good hygiene can help in reducing the risk of getting UTIs. You can focus on daily washing, taking showers instead of baths, and using the right cleaning products. These can help in lowering the UTI flare-ups from happening.


You can also introduce intimate washes, and specialised products to help ensure that the genital region is clean and hygienic. This can help in minimizing the chance of a UTI from happening.

Start antibiotics

You can immediately address your UTI issue by consulting with a gynaecologist. They may prescribe antibiotics to help treat your UTI, which may start to show effects in the first 24 hours.


The right antibiotics can also help instantly, which is why it is recommended to visit a doctor sooner rather than later. You can also conveniently take the antibiotic and follow the home remedies for maximum impact.


You should always consult with a doctor before starting any antibiotic treatment. It is important to study your prior history with UTIs so that you're protected from any potential side-effects. You should also simultaneously focus on home remedies for pain relief as well.



Symptoms of a UTI

It's also important to know when a UTI is present, so that you can take the right action on time.

Dysuria

A burning sensation followed by pain during peeing is a clear sign that you may have a UTI. You should consult with a doctor immediately if this sensation happens more than once.

Nocturia

If you find that you're needing to use the washroom more often than usual, then this could be a sign of a UTI as well.

Changes in appearance and smell

The cloudy appearance of the pee, along with a foul odour, can be a sign that you have a UTI. You should get checked immediately if this is happening regularly.

Lower control over bladder

If you find that you need to pee with more urgency than usual, then you should get checked out for a UTI.

Blood in urine

If you have blood in your pee then this could be a sign that you have a UTI. You should immediately visit a doctor if you have blood in your pee.


If you are experiencing the symptoms of a UTI then you should get a check-up done. You can order an at home UTI test with MyDiagnostics and get a complete report showing whether you have a UTI. The UTI culture test will test for 5 parameters, for a complete analysis.

Main reasons why you get a UTI

There are several reasons why you can get a UTI, which should be analysed to ensure that you're protected long-term. A large number of cases of UTI are formed due to bacteria that is normally found in the intestines.


Microorganisms can enter the urethra and bladder, which can lead to inflammation and infection. Risk factors, such as preexisting conditions, sexual intercourse, dehydration, kidney stones, etc. can raise your risk of developing a UTI.

How to avoid getting a UTI in the future

Prevention is better than medication, which is why it is important to know the best ways to avoid getting a UTI in the first place. While a UTI is fairly common among women, it is important to know the right steps you can take to prevent a UTI flare-up.


With an infection in the bladder and the urethra being a serious condition, you should take the right precautions to prevent a UTI from occurring. You can also consult with a gynaecologist if you are consistently getting UTIs despite taking the necessary precautions.


You can also limit your risk of kidney infections and damage to the immune system when you take the right precautions for UTI prevention. These precautions can help in maintaining the pH level of your urinary system, while also avoiding the spread of diseases within the tract.

Urinate after intercourse

A range of bacteria are introduced during intercourse, which is why it is important to urinate afterwards. You can prevent the development of a UTI if you pee after intercourse, thereby disallowing the bacteria to stay attached to the urinary tract.


You can also reduce your risk of developing a UTI by gently washing your genitals and ensuring that your partner does so regularly. This can help you maintain a more hygienic vaginal ecosystem while minimizing the risk of UTIs.

Drinking plenty of water

A great way to ensure optimal bladder health is to drink plenty of water. You can replenish your body the right way with high quality drinking water, especially if you don't generally consume much of it throughout the day.


You can also improve hydration levels and help your body flush out the bacteria present within your urinary tract with adequate amounts of water. If you find yourself extremely thirsty at the end of the day, you should focus on drinking water throughout the day.

Avoiding public restrooms

By avoiding the use of public restrooms, you can reduce your risk of developing a UTI significantly. There is a large amount of bacteria present in public restrooms, regardless of how often they may be getting cleaned.


You should avoid using public bathrooms especially when you're dealing with a UTI as well. This can help prevent the introduction of new bacterial elements from entering your urinary tract through contact.

Not holding urine for extended periods

If you find yourself holding your pee in for a long time, then your risk of bacterial development rises. You can also compromise your body's ability to excrete waste in a timely manner if you hold your pee in.


You should relieve yourself regularly throughout the day, and not hold it in for extended periods. Your kidneys need to get rid of toxins from the body, which is why it is important to pee regularly.

Focus on probiotics

If you are deficient in good gut bacteria in your body, then you should consider opting to increase the quantity of good bacteria. This can help improve your digestion and urination, which can ultimately prevent the formation of UTIs.


You can start by introducing probiotic foods in your diet and ensuring that you have a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables to balance your meals. You can also focus on improving the intake of probiotics through supplementation.

What's the right way to deal with a UTI?

The best strategy to deal with a UTI is to get tested for your urine culture as a preliminary step. You can simultaneously start taking home remedies for pain relief and your symptoms. You can then get the report of your UTI and consult with your doctor.


You can start with antibiotics and if the pain increases, get tested for other conditions. You can also get an ultrasound if the pain rises over time, so that your doctors can get a better look at what other conditions may be present.


* Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).

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