My girlfriend seems to have come down with a urinary tract infection, anyone have experience with these and know what should be done about it? Is this a serious thing or something that can be cleared up easily usually? I got a bunch of cranberry juice (though this might work only for certain infections) and am thinking we should go to the doctor, but hate doctors & their bills too. This is her first time having anything like this. Thanks for any advice. Mike
Hey, Both Indigorainhemp and I left some good information that you might find useful in the health forum for UTI's/bladder infections. I'll post the link: http://www.hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8426 Sweet of you for trying to help your girlfriend!
uristat is a pretty good otc med, but if it goes on more than a few days or if she starts peeing blood, she needs to go to the dr. i am forever having uti's. they suck.
Some UTIs will clear up by themselves, but some will seem to go away, only to become chronic and very difficult to treat (I had these and had to have surgery to repary my Urinary tract) If she really has a bacterial UTI (and there are other things which can cause urinary discomfort, from chlamidia to herpes to Interstitial Cystisis to a yeast infection) than she needs to be treated medically. I wouldn't mess around with "natural" things, I almost ruined my urinary tract that way. Just my experience.
I would tell her to go to the doctor-NOW. There is a possibility that the infection will spread and become a kidney infection-baaaad stuff. Those require a hospital stay, I.V.'s and tons of medication. Its smarter to pay a little money now for the doctor and an antibiotic, than a LOT of money later for hospital bills.
My sister had this, the doctor told her if she didnt want this to happen again that you should drink TONS of water. Even if you dont want to drink the 6-8 glasses a day.
I had a relationshp with a woman who was really susceptible to UTI's, and I've been with other women who occasionally got them. It really has bad effects on your sex life if the lady is always afraid that the next day, she's going to be in pain and peeing every 10 minutes ("And when you do, it hurts like hell") For us, the infection was caused by bacteria spread around during sex. No sex, no infections, but most of us aren't ready for an abstinence-only cure. Unless she's very unlucky, the best prevention is going to the bathroom after making love. Get the urethra flushed out, and the bad stuff washes away, but it seems for some women even that fails. Getting a taste for cranberry juice helps too. Maybe you can cure one with pleny of water and cranberry juice but from what I've seen, it takes antibiotics. The good news is, the result is almost instant.
stormy is right, get to the doc pronto.3 years ago I waited it out with cranberry juice and drinking loads of water and ended up at the hospital, in toxic-shock hours from death, seriously, these infections hit the kidneys super fast which then of course poisons your blood. Also dont pee just after sex- before hand is very important too.
