How to Get Some Zzzs When You Have a UTI Pain?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are extremely unpleasant for everyone. They can occur at any time and are extremely painful. If you have a UTI, you may have trouble sleeping because it is so painful and uncomfortable.
Urinary frequency is one of the symptoms of a UTI, and it may wake you up several times during the night. Pain from the UTI combined with a lack of sleep is a bad combination. In this article, we will go over some tips for sleeping with a UTI.
How to Sleep While Having a UTI
Sleeping with UTI discomfort can be difficult due to the constant urge to urinate and the associated pain. There are, however, a few things you can do to alleviate the discomfort and make sleeping easier.
Here are some at-home sleep aids to consider if you have a UTI:
Caffeine and other drinks that can irritate your bladder should be avoided.
One of the most important ways to relieve UTI pain is to avoid drinks that can irritate your bladder. Caffeine and other stimulants, as well as sugary or acidic beverages, fall into this category. Because alcohol can aggravate UTI symptoms, it is best to avoid it entirely.
Instead, drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to aid in the removal of bacteria and the promotion of healing. Water is always a good choice, but cranberry juice or herbal tea are also options. Simply avoid any beverages that may aggravate your symptoms.
Consume plenty of water.
Consume plenty of water. This is beneficial in two ways. For starters, it will cause you to urinate more frequently, which will help flush out the bacteria that is causing the infection. Second, it will dilute your urine and dilute its concentration, which may help relieve pain.
Some people also drink cranberry juice to treat UTIs. Be cautious because the juice contains a lot of sugar. Avoid drinks containing alcohol, caffeine, citrus, or carbonation. These may aggravate bladder irritation.
Use a heating pad or a hot water bottle to relieve pain.
If you need immediate relief, a heating pad or hot water bottle can be an excellent choice. The heat relieves the inflammation and pain caused by a UTI. Simply apply the heat source for 10-15 minutes at a time to your lower abdomen or back. Within a few minutes, you should start to feel better.
In the evenings, limit your fluid intake.
Limiting your fluid intake in the evening is one of the simplest and most effective ways to alleviate discomfort. This helps to reduce the urgency and frequency of urination, allowing your body to heal.
Before going to bed, empty your bladder.
Emptying your bladder before going to bed is one of the simplest and most effective ways to relieve UTI discomfort at night. This will assist in flushing out the bacteria and lowering the risk of further infection.
Schedule bathroom breaks at night.
Schedule regular bathroom breaks during the night to help alleviate UTI discomfort. This will assist you in emptying your bladder and lowering your risk of infection.
Shower or soak in a sitz bath.
Taking a shower or sitz bath is another option. Use the water temperature that you find most relaxing. This will help relieve pain before laying down for the night.
Over-the-counter medication
Speak with a pharmacist or healthcare professional about over-the-counter medications, such as Pyridium, that can help relieve the urinary symptoms of a UTI. Please be aware that this medication may cause your urine to turn red or orange.
These medications will not treat or cure your urinary infection, but they may provide temporary relief. You should seek treatment from a medical professional.
What are the most effective UTI sleeping positions?
It can be difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position when you have a urinary tract infection. When you urinate, the infection can cause pain and burning, as well as increased frequency and urgency. These symptoms can make falling asleep difficult, and staying asleep even more difficult.
There are, however, some sleeping positions that can help to alleviate discomfort and allow you to get a good night's rest. Sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your legs is the best position for UTI relief. This relieves pressure on your bladder and increases your chances of getting a good night's sleep.
When should you see a doctor?
When you have symptoms of a UTI, you should consult a doctor. Antibiotics are commonly used to treat UTIs. Antibiotics will most likely take a few days to alleviate your symptoms. Always finish the entire course of antibiotics prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Do not put off treatment because symptoms can worsen quickly and the infection can spread to other parts of your body.
Consult an online doctor about your UTI.
You can get an antibiotic prescription from an online doctor from the comfort of your own home. You can also get answers to your questions about your UTI and its treatment. Best of all, you won't have to worry about missing work or making other arrangements to see a doctor.
DrHouse allows you to consult with a board-certified online doctor at any time and from any location. All you need is an internet connection and a smartphone. Simply download the app, select your plan, and begin an on-demand visit with a doctor in minutes.
Don't put off getting the assistance you require for your UTI. Get started right away by downloading the DrHouse app.
Questions & Answers
Do UTI Symptoms Get Worse at Night?
Some people's UTI symptoms may be worse at night because they don't urinate as frequently at night. Urine accumulates in the bladder, increasing pain and pressure.
Is it true that sleeping makes UTIs worse?
Your UTI will not worsen if you lie down. Certain positions of lying may increase the pressure on your abdomen or bladder, so find a comfortable resting position for you.
How Can I Get Rid of UTI Pain at Night?
The only way to completely eliminate UTI pain is to treat the underlying cause. Bacteria and occasionally fungi cause UTIs. Antibiotics are the only way to treat and cure a UTI.
What is the best way to sleep with a UTI?
Before going to bed, make sure to urinate. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, but avoid diuretics like caffeine and alcohol near bedtime. Sleep on your back with a pillow under your knees. This will help to relieve bladder pressure. For pain relief, place a heating pad on your lower abdomen.
Important Takeaways
- UTI symptoms can cause pain and disrupt your sleep.
- There are home remedies that can help relieve UTI symptoms and allow you to sleep with UTI discomfort at night, but they will not treat the infection.
- You can avoid or reduce UTI pain and discomfort at night by increasing your water intake but limiting it in the evenings, emptying your bladder before bed, and avoiding drinks that may irritate your bladder.
- You could use a heating pad or over-the-counter medication to help relieve UTI pain and discomfort during the night.
- Antibiotics are the only way to treat or cure a UTI.
- If you have UTI symptoms, you should see a doctor. If you delay treatment, the infection may spread to other parts of your body.
Sources
- Understanding Urinary Tract Infections Throughout Life - Urology Care Foundation (2022) https://www.urologyhealth.org/healthy-living/urologyhealth-extra/magazine-archives/summer-2016/understanding-utis-across-the-lifespan
- Medina, M , and E Castillo-Pino (2019) An overview of the epidemiology and prevalence of urinary tract infections 175628721983217 Therapeutic Advances In Urology, 11 DOI: 10.1177/1756287219832172
- CDC stands for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, October 6) Infection of the urinary tract CDC stands for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/uti.html (accessed March 5, 2022).
- Tian, Y., Cai, X., Wazir, R., Wang, K., and Li, H. Water consumption and urinary tract infections: an in vitro study International Urology and Nephrology 2016 Jun;48(6):949-54 doi: [[10]]1007/s11255-016-1262-7 18 March 2016 PMID: 26992936
- How Do You Get UTIs? UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections) ” (2010) You can find it at https://static1.squarespace.com/static/54243e12e4b0daad27eb7b1c/t/546650f7e4b024bf2e925c0b/1415991543384/UTI.pdf.
- EJ Dielubanza, AJ Schaeffer Infections of the urinary tract in women North American Medical Clinics 2011 Jan;95(1):27-41 doi: [[10]]1016/j.mcna.2010.08.023 PMID: 21095409
Articles on DrHouse are written by doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. The contents of the DrHouse website are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a high fever (>103F/39 C), 4C), shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, heart palpitations, abnormal bruising, abnormal bleeding, extreme fatigue, dizziness, new weakness or paralysis, difficulty speaking, confusion, extreme pain in any body part, or feeling you may have any other life-threatening condition Please go to the emergency room or dial 911 immediately.
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