Sick and Serious Self-Care

Blog #17
​If you've seen my recent post on my Instagram account @simplenfit that I shared how sick I was with severe bladder and kidney bacteria that was caused by UTI (Urinary Tract Infections), I initially suspected that I got UTI on the first two days when I recognized the symptoms but chose to ignore it because it did not bother me that much and thought it would heal itself. Still, it was a colossal mistake that became a life lesson for me. I should have taken action on the first day to treat it before it got worse, which led to severe bladder and kidney bacteria infection that has been spread out. It was one of the most painful sicknesses I have gone through that I had to stay in bed for 5 days taking all-natural remedies before I decided to go to Urgent Care to get antibiotics. When my fever reached 103 degrees, and it was when I knew I could not stay home hoping to recover. After I visited Urgent Care, it was confirmed that I had severe bacteria spreading out to my kidney, which could have lead to kidney sepsis (damages to the kidney). Still, it was caught on time (thankfully) before it turned into kidney sepsis, I ended up getting antibiotic shot and antibiotic pills and recovered nicely in the next 2 days. So here is my advice from my experience when you recognize any symptoms, be sure to treat it immediately! Do not wait a few days, and hope for it to go away. Here is a list of natural remedies that you can manage the minute you recognize UTI symptoms.
 
1. Drink Plenty of Fluids
2. Increase Vitamin C Intake
3. Drink Unsweetened Cranberry Juice
4. Take a Probiotic
5. Take tea tree oil
6. Try These Natural Supplements
Here are a few supplements that have been studied:

• D-Mannose: This is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries and has been shown to be effective in treating UTIs and preventing recurrence 
• Bearberry leaf: Also known as uva-ursi. One study showed that a combination of bearberry leaf, dandelion root and dandelion leaf decreased UTI recurrence.
• Cranberry extract: Like cranberry juice, cranberry extract works by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.
• Garlic extract: Garlic has been shown to have antimicrobial properties and may be able to block the growth of bacteria to prevent UTIs 

Common symptoms of UTI include:

• A burning sensation when peeing
• Frequent urination
• Cloudy or dark urine
• Urine with a strong odor
• A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
• Pelvic pain

I hope you will find this blog helpful and don't be like me that did not take action and result in a serious sickness. Our body is the only place we live in; therefore, we need to take good care of it. I am going to take extra care of my body from now on!
 
NOTE: My sickness occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. It took me 5 days to finally visit Urgent Care was because COVID-19 patients have been sent to all over hospitals, and I was paranoid going into hospital or urgent care building where it may be filled with COVID-19 patients. With my low immune system, I may be easily affected. My husband called to several urgent care buildings where they do not test patients for COVID-19, and I went to the one that was emptied and was COVID-19 free patients where I felt more comfortable with. Stay safe and healthy.