Is baking soda good for a uti?

If you’re someone who’s never had a urinary tract infection (UTI) before, congratulations! You’re missing out on one of life’s most unpleasant experiences. Imagine feeling like you constantly have to pee, but when you do manage to go, it burns like the fires of hell. Yeah. Not great.

For those unlucky enough to develop a UTI, there are plenty of remedies floating around out there that claim to offer relief from the burning and pain – some more bizarre than others. One such remedy is baking soda (aka sodium bicarbonate). But is it really effective in treating a UTI? Let’s explore.

What Exactly is A UTI?

Before we get into whether baking soda can help with a UTI or not, let’s quickly review what causes this unfortunate condition in the first place.

A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria manages to work its way up your urethra (the tube connecting your bladder and genitals) and settle into your bladder or kidneys. Most commonly caused by E.coli bacteria found in feces (delightful!), women are much more likely than men to experience this uncomfortable situation due to their anatomy – specifically the proximity of their urethras and anuses (can’t win ’em all ladies).

Common symptoms include:

• Burning or stinging sensation while urinating
• Frequent need to urinate with little result
• Pain or pressure in lower abdomen or back

Sound fun? Yeah… no wonder people are willing try just about anything for relief!

Does Baking Soda Actually Help With A UTI?

So now that we understand what exactly causes a nasty ol’ uti (‘urinary tract infection’ for those lucky enough not be familiar), let’s see if baking soda can help alleviate some of these symptoms shall we? The short answer is… maybe?

While there’s no scientific evidence to conclusively support baking soda as a cure for UTIs, many people claim that it has helped them in the past. The idea behind baking soda’s potential effectiveness comes from its ability to neutralize acidic urine (wait, urine is ACIDIC? Apparently so…).

When you have a UTI, your pee tends to be even more acidic than usual – thus increasing the burning sensation while urinating. If you mix about half a teaspoon of baking soda with water and drink it (carefully!) before bed at night, some people say this can help alkalize your urine which may in theory offer relief from pain and discomfort associated with UTI symptoms.

It’s also worth noting that drinking plenty of water throughout the day will aid in diluting your urine & flushing bacteria out more quickly – something that goes without saying really regardless of whether or not you choose to add baking soda into the equation!

How Should You Use Baking Soda For A UTI?

If after reading all that unpleasantness above about what having a uti entails and you’re still keen on giving this natural remedy a go, here are some instructions:

• Mix ½ tsp of baking soda into an eight ounce glass of water
• Stir thoroughly until completely dissolved
• Drink mixture before bedtime

For extra acidity-fighting power (‘acidity-fighting power’ sounds pretty badass if we do say so ourselves) rinse out mouth afterwards with another glass filled only w/ plain tap water

Now while some sources suggest mixing “as much bsoda as possible” straight up into warm bathwater or adding it directly onto affected areas via tampon-like insertions or finding other ahem less traditional waysofdeliveringitintothemostvulnerablesysteminthehumanbody™ – PLEASE refrain. We repeat: please refrain!

Speak To Your Doctor!

Remember, there’s no definitive scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of baking soda as a UTI treatment. If you choose to try using baking soda in conjunction w/ plenty of hydration and it does end up providing relief from your symptoms – fantastic! But please do not forego seeing a medical professional if things don’t seem to be improving or worsen after several days.

Antibiotics are still the preferred method for treating UTIs, so if you’re experiencing more severe symptoms such as fever/chills or pain near kidneys, it’s important that you speak with your doctor about getting properly diagnosed & treated.

Go Forth And Pee Comfortably(ish)

So there we have it folks: while baking soda may not have undergone any clinical trials on its capacity for healing pesky urinary tract infections, many swear by this natural remedy nonetheless.

Is it worth trying out? Sure! Do we recommend adding some much needed hydration into daily routine regardless? You betcha!

Just remember that ignoring UTI symptoms can lead to more serious health issues down road (and really who wants THAT?)so always make sure to keep vigilant watch over what’s coming out + whether certain treatments might be helping (or hindering) along way as well!

Dane Raynor

Hey there, I’m Dane Raynor, and I’m all about sharing fascinating knowledge, news, and hot topics. I’m passionate about learning and have a knack for simplifying complex ideas. Let’s explore together!