Everybody hates urinary tract infections (UTIs). They may occur at any time and can be excruciatingly painful. If you have a UTI, it can be so uncomfortable and painful that you might have trouble falling asleep.
Urinary frequency is one of the signs of a UTI and may cause you to wake up several times during the night. Lack of sleep combined with UTI pain is a bad combination. We’ll go over some advice for sleeping with a UTI in this article.
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How Do You Get A Uti?
When most people use the term “UTI,” they typically mean “bladder infection,” even though a UTI can be an infection at any point along the urinary tract. Due to the way in which the anatomy is set up, UTIs are more common in people who are born with a gender preference.
S. Adam Ramin, MD, urologist and medical director of Urology Cancer Specialists in Los Angeles, explained that the “bladder and its tubing, the urethra, sit directly along the length of the vagina. The urethra, a very small tube through which urine leaves the body, has its opening directly above the vaginal opening.”
Bacteria can move along the urinary tract very easily because of this positioning.
Ramin added that during vaginal sex, bacteria from the vagina and rectum can easily enter the urethra and the bladder and result in a UTI.
Though it’s less frequent, hormonal change is another reason for UTIs. A board-certified urologist and associate professor of urology and OB-GYN at Cedars-Sinai Hospital, Karyn Eilber, MD, said some people get UTIs at particular times of the month.
Symptoms Of A UTI
Peeing should generally be pain-free and odorless for most hydrated, healthy people, or in rare cases, may only have a faint ammonia scent. If that’s not the case, there may be an infection. Here are a few common signs of a UTI to look out for:
Urgent And Frequent Urination
The bladder lining may become inflamed and irritated due to a UTI, increasing its sensitivity. More frequent and urgent urination follows as a result. You might also observe that despite an urgent need to urinate, little to no urine is produced.
Burning Or Pain While Peeing
Another typical symptom is dysuria, which is a burning sensation while urinating. However, Eilber cautioned that pain or burning that is unrelated to urination may be a sign of a vaginal infection or something else. Pain from a UTI typically coincides with urination.
Smelly Or Cloudy Urine
A distinctly unusual odor or cloudy urine appearance can occasionally be one of the first signs of an impending UTI, according to Ramin. In particular, if the smell is accompanied by a cloudy appearance, it may be an indication of urinary tract infection or kidney stones if you suddenly notice a foul or other unusual smell to it.
Loss Of Control
In addition, a UTI episode might cause you to lose control of your bladder. The symptoms of kidney-related UTIs can include those listed above and are frequently accompanied by fever and back pain.
How Can Someone Who Has A Uti Sleep?
Because of the frequent urination needs and associated pain, it can be very challenging to sleep when you have a UTI. However, there are a few things you can do to reduce the pain and make it simpler to fall asleep.
Here are some at-home methods to use to help you sleep when you have a UTI:
Avoid Caffeine And Other Drinks That Can Irritate Your Bladder
Even though there are many ways to help relieve UTI pain, one of the most crucial ones is to avoid beverages that can irritate your bladder. Caffeine and other stimulants, as well as sweet or acidic beverages, fall under this category. alcohol can also exacerbate It is best to avoid it entirely as it can cause UTI symptoms.
Instead, concentrate on consuming plenty of liquids throughout the day to aid in the removal of bacteria and to hasten the healing process. You should always drink water, but you might also want to consider cranberry juice or herbal tea. Just make sure to stay away from any alcoholic beverages that could exacerbate your symptoms.
Drink Plenty Of Water
Drink a lot of water. This is advantageous in two ways. It will first make you urinate more frequently, which will aid in flushing out the infection-causing bacteria. Second, it will dilute your urine and lessen its concentration, which might help you feel better.
Cranberry juice is another popular remedy for UTIs among some people. Due to the high sugar content of the juice, use caution. Be sure to stay away from beverages that contain alcohol, caffeine, citrus, or carbonation. These might exacerbate bladder irritation.
Use A Heating Pad Or A Hot Water Bottle
A heating pad or hot water bottle can be a great choice if you’re looking for some quick relief. The inflammation and pain brought on by a UTI are relieved by the heat. Simply place the heat source for ten to fifteen minutes at a time on your lower abdomen or back. Within a few minutes, you ought to start to feel relieved.
Limit Your Fluid Intake In The Evenings
Limiting your fluid intake in the evening is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to ease discomfort. This aids in lowering the urgency and frequency of urination, allowing your body to heal.
Empty Your Bladder Before Going To Sleep
Emptying your bladder prior to going to bed is one of the most basic and efficient ways to reduce UTI discomfort at night. By doing so, the chance of further infection will be diminished and the bacteria will be flushed out.
Schedule Nighttime Bathroom Breaks
Plan regular nighttime bathroom breaks to help ease UTI discomfort. This will help you to empty your bladder and reduce the risk of infection
Take A Shower Or A Sitz Bath
Showering or taking a sitz bath is another option. Use the water at the temperature that makes you feel most comfortable. Prior to lying down to sleep for the night, this will aid in pain relief.
Otc Medication
Ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider about over-the-counter drugs like Pyridium that can help treat the urinary symptoms of a UTI. You should know that this medication could cause your urine to turn red or orange.
These drugs won’t treat or cure your urinary infection, but they might help you feel better. For treatment, you ought to visit a medical expert.
Home Remedies For Nighttime Uti Symptoms
You must get some sleep to hasten your recovery. But some of the uncomfortable side effects that a UTI may cause can make it hard to fall asleep.
Here are some things you can do at home to help you sleep comfortably:
- To help flush out bacteria, drink lots of water throughout the day.
- Steer clear of alcohol, coffee, and citrus- or caffeine-containing soft drinks. These often aggravate the urgency and regularity of your urination by irritating your bladder.
- A lot of fluids should be avoided before bed.
- Wear incontinence underwear or use an incontinence pad. These may lessen your anxiety about urinating while you sleep or provide you with the option of staying in bed to urinate.
- Warm your abdomen with a heating pad or hot water bottle to lessen bladder pressure or discomfort.
- Before going to bed, completely empty your bladder.
- Follow your doctor’s prescription for antibiotic use.
Ask your doctor for a recommendation for either over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription pain medication if they haven’t already prescribed it and you feel like it would help you sleep.
Which Positions Are Ideal For Uti Sleep?
It can be challenging to settle into a comfortable sleeping position when you have a urinary tract infection. Increased frequency and urgency are two symptoms of the infection, along with pain and burning when you urinate. It may be difficult to fall asleep and even harder to stay asleep if you have these symptoms.
The discomfort can be reduced and you can still sleep soundly by using certain positions, though. On your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your legs are the best sleeping positions for preventing UTIs. You have the best chance of sleeping soundly that way because it relieves pressure on your bladder.
When To See A Doctor?
Whenever you experience UTI symptoms, you should consult a medical professional. Typically, antibiotics are used to treat UTIs. It will probably take a few days for antibiotics to start working to reduce your symptoms. Never forget to finish the entire course of antibiotics your doctor prescribes you.
The infection may spread to other parts of your body if treatment is delayed because symptoms may get worse quickly.
Final Words
Urinary tract infections can cause excruciating pain. The worst part may be how it affects your sleep schedule. You should think about using one of the remedies or medications we’ve covered if UTI pain is preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep.
A few routines can go a long way. You might find the pain tolerable if you ensure that your bladder is as empty as possible before each trip, drink more fluids, or sleep with a heating pad. Remember that you have options for preventing further infections.
Medication undoubtedly has benefits. Don’t forget to finish any rounds of antibiotics you are prescribed. If your doctor has not given the all-clear, do not take any additional medications. There may be some NSAIDs that can help when you only want to treat the pain.
