Alka Seltzer for Bladder Infections

5 star (13) 
  76%
4 star (1) 
  6%
1 star (3) 
  18%

It Works! (Albany, Oregon) on 09/24/2013:
5 out of 5 stars

I have suffered with UTI's for about 20 years. I have had procedures that were very painful because the doc recommended them, however nothing worked. I had a urologist tell me that half of his patients carried anitbiotics in their purse to take when needed. This was a scary situation to be in because I wondered what would happen the day the antibiotics didn't work for me. I think I would slit my throat... Kidding. But, my last UTI incident I was out of pills so I attempted to go to the urgency clinic but could not get in because they were only taking acute patients with severe problems. When I got home, I told my husband that I could not get in to see the doc. He had read about the Alka Seltzer. Well, had nothing to loose so I took 2 that night and by morning I felt much better. I now take one Alka Seltzer per week for maintenance and have not had another UTI incident for one year. It has truly worked for me and highly recommend it.

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Nonie (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) on 01/21/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

After years suffering with UTIs that have crippled me with pain I have realized how to treat them AND to understand what helps and why.

Alka-seltzer was the first remedy that helped me. My bladder infections cause me to bloat so parents and doctors thought it was gas. Alkaseltzer every day and the pain was gone. It turns out that this is because it changes the acidity of the urine. It alkalinizes it, as does bicarbonate (baking soda), for a period of time after taking it. This helps with pain but it will not cure the underlying infection unless the pain is due to overly acidic urine, and not a true infection. Alkaline urine can actually assist an infection in spreading.

Cranberry juice does the exact opposite. It renders the urine more acidic. This does not help with pain for me at all, but it ensures that bacteria can't grow and hence it's more of a long term approch. But it must be pure, unsweetened cranberry juice or pills, and no apple or other sugary juice in it. Sugar feeds any infection in the body. I prefer the pills if I take it, but I prefer other methods that I feel work better.

Probiotics ensure the body has the proper intestinal and urinary and reproductive bacteria and is a great preventative. The best is bio K, after that I like the pearl brand - extra strength.

Instead of salt, I use miso. It's naturally salty and also loaded with probiotics and minerals because it's fermented. You add it to hot, not boiling water and drink as a broth. It's tasty and better for you than commercial yogurt, some of which is pasturized after they add the probiotics, and most of which has sugar added.

Regarding recurring infections, there are triggers I have found in myself and don't know if they apply to others. Sexual activity, sugar, orange or citrus juice - even fresh pressed, dehydration, and coffee or tea or any caffeinated drink. The reason caffeine brings it on is that it dehydrates the body and you have to drink so much more water to compensate.

Lastly, antibiotics NEVER work for me to clear it completely. They are garbage, in my opinion. I use colloidal silver as an antibiotic, and it works better. But I use it for at least three weeks when I get it. The reason people get them in repeatedly in a short time frame, as in my case, is sometimes because the infection is not actually gone. It can be low grade and they don't pick it up on their tests at the doctor's office but in a week you have a bonafide infection again. I am sure I had low grade infections for years. Here's what helped:

Tincture of marshmallow root, uva-ursi, and goldenseal or drink marshmallow root or slippery elm powder and take goldenseal tincture. I do this as needed throughout the day when I have any signs of infection, even just the urgency. An epsom salt hot hot bath with a drink of bicarbonate in water for pain management. Colloidal silver for a full blown infection, with the above. I can't touch citrus juice or caffinated dinks if I have any sign of infection, and I have to drink 12 glasses of water a day. I always use probiotics and take miso regularly. I take zinc supplements (picolinate works best for me) daily, and I do not use any soap but Dr. Bonner's liquid soap diluted. Oil of oregano did not work for me, but olive leaf at the same time as colloidal silver helps. I also drink pau d'arco tea at night on a regular basis, which is an antifungal and will really help if yeast is involved.

Vitamin C did nothing noticable either way, but I take 3000mg night and day for other purposes. I do not know if it helps.

The herbs and natural remedies can be gotten at health food stores. There are no exact amounts to use... I just take what I think and if that doesn't work, try a bit more. As with any med, the dose has to be in the therapeutic range to work. This is my cumulated knowledge after 20 years suffering and then studying holistic nutrition. Hope it helps someone!

REPLY   29      

Jlkincaid (Fargo, North Dakota ) on 12/22/2011:
1 out of 5 stars

I tried the alka seltzer remedy too and I ended up in the er with a fever and a severe bladder infection. The pain was so severe that I felt like I was giving birth all over again. I wouldn't suggest to anyone to use the alka seltzer!
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Chris (Oakland, Ca) on 09/22/2011:
5 out of 5 stars

I have had a recurring bladder infection for a couple of months, but yesterday after it struck back with a vengeance I got desperate. I got no sleep last night, up at least a hundred of painful times, and could not even get to the bathroom in time so I had to start walking with a towel shoved between my legs. YUCK! This morning I found this thread, and while the person's story about kidney infection is scary, I immediately took two Alka Seltzers, got into a warm bath, and by the *time I got out* I was peeing normally. I'll go to the doc. But I'm amazed. How can it possibly work that fast??

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REPLY   4      

Erin (Tuttle, Ok, Usa) on 04/08/2010:
1 out of 5 stars

Warning

I have suffered from recurring UTI's and kidney infections my whole life. I do all the right things, but my anatomy lends itself to frequent infections. I have been prescribed C***o in the past, a very harsh antibiotic that's given to anthrax patients, many times and was just fed up with having to take so many expensive pills. I got a UTI two weeks ago and decided to try some of the cures on this site. I will admit, Alka Seltzer (taken as directed) almost immediately got rid of my urinary pain. However, 3 days later I was in the emergency room with severe lower back pain, fever, and fatigue. The UTI had traveled to my kidneys. I was "forced" to get a shot of an antibiotic and take a round of antibiotics to get rid of the infection. I am currently doing a detox to remove the toxins from my system, but I just wanted people to know that the Alka Seltzer may make it easier to urinate, but it will not cure the infection.
REPLY   8      

Michele (Spring Grove, Pa) on 12/04/2009:
4 out of 5 stars

Adding to my previous post of 12/01/2009:

Alka-seltzer worked great at relieving the pain and immediate symptoms. However, I want to note very clearly it did nothing for the underlying infection. Continued use of it was actually masking the symptoms while the infection was getting worse.

Today, realizing I was not getting better, I went to my Doctor and ended up on antibiotics.

The Alka-seltzer is GREAT to get you through the night (or day) until you can get to a Doctor - but it will not cure an actual infection. Using it for more than a day or two could actually make things worse.

I'm still glad I used it though - I could not have gotten through the night with the pain I was in and I could go to my Doctor rather than the ER.

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REPLY   4      

Michele (Spring Grove, Pa - Usa) on 12/01/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

YEA!!!!! I haven't had a bladder infection for years, but got hit with one tonight - of course, after all the drugstores locally were closed . I immediately came to this site as it has been very helpful for other things. First tried the ACV, but the pain was getting worse, along with shakes and chills. Frequent urination with little result and increasing pain finally got me to go wake my husband up and send him to an all night gas station/store for Alka-Seltzer.

By the time he got back, I was nearly on the floor with the pain - and I have a very high pain tolerance. Took 2 tablets in water and then took a hot - steaming hot - shower. By the time I got out of the shower the pain had subsided and I was able to urinate a more normal amount. Took another dose about 2 hours after the first and am also drinking cranberry juice and my normal mix of ACV and honey.

I am absolutely AMAZED at how quickly the Alka Seltzer worked. I'm sending this site link and the info to everyone I know. Thank you so much!!!

REPLY   4      

Kishore (London, Essex UK) on 05/04/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

i have had recurrent uti as i am a diabetic. i read about the alka seltzer remedy on your site and tried it. Next morning my symptons had gone. can not believe it. Have been on antibiotics for weeks and having tried this simple remedy did the trick. Thank you
REPLY   3      



Shannon (Litchfield, IL) on 02/27/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

I was suffering from a terrible bladder infection and I just couldn't stand it anymore. I found this site and I first tried the ACV cure first (it had the most number of yeas). It worked okay, but to drink it made me so sick to my stomach. I had to try something else. I found my cure in the form of alka seltzer. I couldn't believe how well and how fast it worked! I would say in about 15 minutes I felt better than I had trying the ACV.
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Sara (Gravette, AR) on 11/09/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

I woke up this morning with a bladder infection. Didn't want to go to the doctor so I took a chance to find something online that would help so I type in home remedies. I at first, drank acv with baking soda then I drank water with lemon in it. Then I drank water with the alka selter. I felt a little bit better. Than I went to the bathroom and their was blood. (PAINFUL!) I went and drank another water with alka seltzer. I was scared to go to the restroom thinking I was going to scream again but It was better. Alot. No blood this time.Then I continued to drink serveral (didn't coun't) maybe 3 or 4 more water with alka selter. I am feeling alot better! I CAN NOT THANK YOU ENOUGH!!!!! ~~~Sara Smith~~~
EC: Urine in the blood can indicate one of many conditions. Read more here: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/blood_in_the_urine/page2_em.htm#Causes of Blood in Urine
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