Choosing the best urinary medicine involves an assessment of any problems you’re having as well as the potential solutions. The urinary tract can become afflicted with a variety of ailments, most being non life threatening and easy to treat. Nonetheless, you want to be sure you consider and research all the options available to you before entrusting your urinary health to a particular regimen.
Many illnesses which require urinary medicine involve infections that reside within the urinary tract. These can be found in the urethra, bladder, or kidneys and may cause discomfort such as burning and an overwhelming urge to urinate even when there is no urine to be passed. Medications that are generally prescribed for this include cranberry tablets to alleviate the symptoms along with a round of antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection. If you have concerns over the use of antibiotics, talk to your doctor about using an alternative treatment.
Natural treatments that can be used for a urinary tract infection include drinking plenty of water and cranberry juice and taking supplements and herbs that have antibacterial properties. These include thyme, oregano, and sage supplements or fresh herbs that can added to food or made into tea. If you have an infection that is severe or comes back after using alternative treatment methods, follow your doctor’s advice and take the antibiotics in as small a dose as possible.
Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder are also common afflictions. Incontinence refers to a bladder that is incapable of holding urine, either in general or during moments of stress (such as a sneeze). This can be an embarrassing problem, and often results in the use of absorbent undergarments or sanitary napkins to avoid accidents. Overactive bladder is a similar condition in which the bladder contracts at the wrong times, leaving one feeling as though they have to urinate. These urges can be both strong and frequent.
When either condition interferes with everyday life, it’s time to implement some kind of urinary medicine to alleviate the symptoms. For incontinence, pelvic floor exercises like kegels are highly recommended to help strengthen the muscles that control urine flow. To do these, practice while you are using the restroom. While you are already urinating, contract the muscles that stop the flow and hold it. This is what is known as a kegel.
Oral medication may be prescribed for both incontinence and overactive bladder. There are also natural remedies you may wish to try. Talk with your doctor about these and other potential treatment options.
If you are experiencing severe pain or discomfort, recurrent urinary tract infections, bloody or cloudy urine, or an inability to pass urine; seek immediate medical attention. These may be symptoms of a serious illness. In most cases, the cause will be treatable with urinary medicine.
When choosing the type of urinary medicine to use from so many available options, you must learn to listen to your body. Try natural options first if the condition is not life threatening and see if they are helpful. Take a trial and error approach to find the right options for you.