Contents:
- Medical Video: Urinary Tract Infection | How To Prevent UTI (2018)
- The most common list of urinary tract infections
- 1. Antibiotics
- 2. Pain medication
- 3. Hormone therapy
- What you can do at home to speed up the healing process
- 1. Drink more water
- 2. Take vitamin C
- 3. Increase rest
- 4. Keep personal hygiene
Medical Video: Urinary Tract Infection | How To Prevent UTI (2018)
Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteriaescherichia coli(E. coli) which usually develops in the urethra. Because it is a bacterial infection, the drug commonly used to treat symptoms is antibiotics. But of the many types of antibiotics available, what are the drugs used for urinary infections?
The most common list of urinary tract infections
1. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are usually the first choice for urinary tract infections. However, the type of antibiotic along with the dosage and duration of use will be determined by the doctor based on the severity of the infection you are experiencing.
In general, antibiotics for urinary tract infections are taken for 3-7 days. For infections that are not too severe, the doctor may recommend a shorter treatment duration of about one to three days. In more severe cases, doctors will recommend hospitalization and administer intravenous antibiotics.
Commonly prescribed antibiotics for urinary tract infections include:
- Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra, others)
- Minocycline
- Fosfomycin (Monurol)
- Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid)
- Antipyretic
- Penicillin (ampicilin, amoxicillin, ertapenem, erythromycin, vancomycin, doxycycline, aztreonam, rifampicin)
- Cephalexin (Keflex)
- Ceftriaxone
- Fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin), is prescribed for symptoms of more severe infections.
Your doctor may prescribe low-dose antibiotics for a longer period of time to help prevent recurrent infections.
2. Pain medication
Free pain medications, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, and analgesics such as phenazopyridine can also be used to relieve pain and fever, but consult a doctor before combining your prescription antibiotics with over-the-counter drugs.
3. Hormone therapy
Synthetic estrogen hormone therapy is usually prescribed to treat symptoms of urinary infections in elderly women. Hormone therapy is available in the form of a cream (Premarin, Estrace), a small tablet (Vagifem), or a flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina and used for three months (Estring).
Each drug above has provisions for dosage, how to use, and the risk of different side effects. So, consult with your doctor about which medication is suitable for your condition.
What you can do at home to speed up the healing process
1. Drink more water
Increasing fluid intake can help the body expel more urine to rinse the bacteria. Water is your best choice, but you can also drink real fruit juice or eat fresh fruit and vegetables that contain lots of water, such as watermelon and cucumber, to help increase urine production.
This also helps reduce the possibility of bacteria to attach to cells in the urinary tract wall that can cause infection.
2. Take vitamin C
In addition to increasing stamina and immunity, vitamin C supplements also help increase the acidity of urine which will speed up the healing process.
3. Increase rest
Complete rest and avoid certain activities that can trap heat and moisture in the groin area. Humid temperatures can make bacteria breed increasingly fertile. Your doctor may advise you to fast sex first until the infection is completely cured so as not to infect your partner.
4. Keep personal hygiene
Always pay attention to personal hygiene, not only when you are sick but also before and after recovering. Keep your vagina clean to avoid germs from the surrounding skin infiltrating the urethra. When bathing, it's better to useshower rather than soaking in bathtub. Use neutral soap that is not fried.