UTI home remedies are very often a much better option than over the counter treatments or antibiotics if you not only want to get rid of a UTI, but if you want to prevent future occurrences.

Over the last few years, many people are realizing the potential drawbacks of using antibiotics in situations where they are not absolutely necessary and this is one of the reasons why natural remedies are gaining in popularity.

Antibiotics are given to kill off bacteria. Now in theory, you might think this is all well and good. However, in the urinary tract, there are two types of bacteria naturally present. One is a beneficial type, which keeps the other ("bad") bacteria under control. When antibiotics are given, these kill off all bacteria within the urinary tract. This means that once bacteria begins to repopulate the urinary tract, the beneficial bacteria will not be sufficiently strong to kill off the bad bacteria, so the whole cycle begins again.

This is why over half of all women who use antibiotics to treat a UTI will have a repeat infection within a few weeks

For women who suffer from repeated infections, UTI home remedies offer the best solUTIon. Harmful bacteria can simply become "immune" to antibiotics so these become less and less effective with each course given. The best way to treat a UTI is to use an approach which quickly strengthens the body's own defenses, giving it the resources to robustly fight off the infection. In addition, future infections can be avoided as the bad bacteria simply never gets the chance to multiply.

If you have a UTI, there are a number of self-help measures you can take to alleviate the symptoms.

* Drink 8 glasses of water daily
* Use a heated pad on the abdomen
* Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits as these can aid healing
* Take a Vitamin C tablet
* Avoid caffeine and alcohol
* Do not use perfumed products on the vaginal area
* Wear cotton panties and avoid tight trousers
* Avoid sugar as this can feed bacterial growth

These measures can give some relief and in the case of a very mild infection, they may be enough to help the body get rid of the UTI naturally. However, if you have had the UTI for longer than 24 hours or you are in pain, it is essential to take definitive action as the infection could develop into a full-blown kidney infection, possibly causing permanent damage.