Do over the counter uti meds work?

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can be a pain in the urinary tract – literally. And with around 150 million new cases every year worldwide, it’s no wonder there are so many over-the-counter (OTC) medications advertised as a cure-all for those burning sensations when passing urine.

But do any of them work? Can you really rely on OTC UTI meds to get you back to normal? Let’s cut through the marketing and find out.

What is a UTI?

Before we discuss whether OTC meds are useful for treating UTIs, let’s clarify what they are.

A UTI is an infection that affects your bladder- where your urine is stored before expelling. It happens when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and multiply inside. If untreated or poorly treated, it can spread to other organs like kidneys or bloodstream (Not cool man).

Symptoms include painful urination; a frequent urge to pee even if there’s nothing left in your bladder; cloudy or strong-smelling Urine; lower abdomen cramps, chills , fever and malaise among others

Unfortunately without treatment, a simple annoying infection could become life-threatening.. Always speak with a physician about this condition

How Do You Get A UTI?

Are you less than well-versed in practicing good hygiene down-under? Hear me out! Sometimes people seem too busy right

Other ways of contracting it include waiting too long before relieving yourself (ouch); not wiping properly after using the restroom(gross alert!); sex or improper cleaning habits which leads to bacterial growth near genital area especially common amongst women considering their short urethra relative men

Some individuals may also face recurrent symptoms due genetic tendencies e.g Kidney stones prevention may bring relief

Can I Treat My UTI with OTC Meds?

UTI symptoms like painful urination, and frequent buries to it in the middle of night are known to cause discomfort And pain (Yep lots of discomfort) so you’d want a solution as soon possible

OTC UTI Medication comes into play such that they offer a fast way out without having to wait for an appointment with your doctor, spend heaps of cash (money saved is money earned) or finish an entire antibiotic regimen especially if caught early on

these can be bought at drug store including – antiseptic-containing soothers like Cystex and AZO which help relieve super uncomfortable symptoms temporarily Though they might seem effective , we wouldn’t count them as full-blown treatment agents.

So what about those meds claiming actual cure effects like Uqora & Ellura?

Uqora

Uqora contains cranberry powder, magnesium, Vitamin C among others. Their philosophy entails improving urinary health through proper hydration; immune boosting ingredients defend against potential bacteria while staying hydrated keeps urine clear enough to rinse off any pathogens (you don’t say!).

Sounds enticing right ? Notably there’s no scientific review proving its ‘actual efficacy’? That’s not all though!

Ellura

Ellura is made from pure cranberry extracts capsules .cranberry prevents E-Colinot break dancing, bacterium associated with UTIs from adhering urethral walls thereby reducing risk of infection .

The company claims real time positive results by suppressing the ability of adhesion among infectous cells but hey! We must note however that consuming products containing cranberries would hardly cause harm , considering their richness in antioxidants fare non-toxic unlike other botanical products .

When Should You see a Doctor?

Haven’t had access to seeing a healthcare professional since acquiring UTI? JUMP UTILIZING rocketspace technology straight onto telehealth services. You didn’t hear that here,Okay?

Despite UTI symptoms being quite a handful, there are certain red flags you should be aware of:

  • Fever above 38 degrees Celsius
  • Blood in urine
  • Back or flank pain (pain in the sides around your lower back area )
  • Vaginal discharges accompanied by itching

Any UNTREATED bacteriological infection could eventually cause more severe ailments including kidney damage.So what precisely causes diagnosis confirmation?

Your provider may conduct a few tests to confirm it. These include;

-Signs & patient reported issues(Anamnesis)

-Urine analysis via dipstick method , culture and sensitivity
as well as Imaging test such as CT scan (If clinical suspicion arises beyond typical UTIs)

At times depending on variability between cultures, empirical treatment(the use of medication based solely on medical history) may also apply especially if all listed aren’t obtainable like when stuck ca[ped. OTC medications would be seen suitable only for mild cases

How Effective Are OTC Meds?

If we’re honest (and I am!) ,results from using these products more often than not come about because they only mask symptoms.

Antimicrobial resistance i.e where bacteria strains evolve and become resistant rendering antibiotics no longer useful, this is the biggest threat to antibacterial agents worldwide making them rather complicated .Antibiotic resistance has been largely attributed to overuse specifically about medications prescribed.

As appealing as those flash marketing options might seem #Nonetheless, studies have shown that cranberry variations used commonly for relief offered negligible effects as minimal changes were noted between vital signs before versus after usage.

UTIs are typically caused by bacterial infections like escherichia coli which requires pharmacological interventions to adequately treat thus meds can only offer symptomatic relief while urging proper care processes preventing further incidences e.g wiping front-back hygiene habit, drinking enough water.

Are There any Negative Side Effects to These Drugs?

While it would be ideal to bid the uncomfortable sensations farewell in record speed, self treating a UTI with a drug which might not actually help can significantly aggravate things – even lead to antibiotic resistance.

OTC UTIs meds could have possible side effects including:

  • Stomach upset
  • Gastrointestinal issues such diarrhea and nausea
  • Liver damage
  • Kidney stones

It’s also worth noting that some medications like AZO change urine’s color – yellow-orange hue. How weird right?

Conclusion

Trying out every medication advertised as an ultimate cure wouldn’t amount much if at all , antibiotics remain our biggest bet .

Nonetheless for mild UTI cases OTC remedies offer ample options but avoid substituting antibiotics .

Despite satisfying reliefs offered by products like Uqora and Ellura (pending several tests) we suggest keeping your family physician on loop especially when symptoms become severe or frenquently reoccurring.#StaySafe

UTIs are harsh business henceforth taking prevention measures is key ; hygiene practices e.g wiping front-to-back, drinking water provide defense against sustaining future infection And Finally – In a nutshell? Reach out, Confide in Us! So long uric tract infections #PeaceOut!

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