How to Treat Urinary Tract Infections in the Wilderness

Urinary tract infections are most easily treated if caught early. These can develop into kidney infections if left untreated.

Instructions

• 1

  Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections: frequent urination or the feeling of needing to urinate with little urination; pain or burning during urination; uncomfortable spasms of the urethra; discomfort in the bladder during or after intercourse; occasional blood in the urine.

• 2

  Drink tons of water, even if you feel like it makes you pee more (it should). Urine should be clear and copious, not yellow.

• 3

  Don't hold it; urinate when you feel the urge so that you don't give bacteria a chance to grow.

• 4

  Carry with you and take an antibiotic prescribed for UTIs at the first signs of infection. On a long expedition, make sure you bring one of the broader spectrum antibiotics with you, such as ciprofloxcin (prescribed as Cipro).

• 5

  Take prescribed phenazopyridine to help with pelvic spasms.

• 6

  Avoid alcohol, caffeine and spicy food.

• 7

  Eat a diet plentiful in dried fruits, grains and nuts.

• 8

  Take two or three cranberry supplements daily to help prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.

• 9

  Take 500mg of vitamin C daily to increase the acidity of the urine.

• 10

  Take calcium/magnesium tablets and vitamin B6 to help reduce spasms.

• 11

  Avoid intercourse until symptoms subside.