Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection in any part of the urinary tract, including the urethra, ureters, bladder, and kidneys. There are a plethora of remedies to treat urinary tract infections, however there are no research to support them.

UTIs can be recurrent in some cases, making those affected to resort to other remedies other than antibiotics.

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Some people resort to using baking soda, chemically known as sodium bicarbonate to treat UTI. Baking soda is a white solid that is crystalline, but frequently appears as a fine, white powder.

There is little or no research to support the effectiveness of baking soda for treating UTIs.

Baking soda for UTI
Baking soda neutralizes the acidity in the urine, thereby reducing UTI symptoms and allowing the body to fight off the bacteria causing the infection. People who support this remedy claim that baking soda can stop the infection from spreading to the kidneys. There is little scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of baking soda to treat UTI, though some people claim it reduces their discomfort and urgency.

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How Safe is Baking soda for Treating UTI?
Generally, using baking soda to ease or treat any form of discomfort can be harmful, particularly if taken wrongly. Reports from the California Poison Control System gave account on 192 cases of wrong usage of baking soda, and almost 5 percent of these were linked to people trying to treat a UTI.

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Most of these cases eventually seek medical attention after trying to use baking soda for UTI. Some complications include severe electrolyte and acid or base imbalances, and respiratory depression.

Using baking soda as a home remedy may cause people to postpone medical attention, thereby aggravating symptoms.

Complications linked to baking soda include:

nausea and/or vomiting
diarrhea
stomach pain
seizures
coma
death

Other UTIs Home Remedies
Since the advent of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the adverse side-effects of antibiotics, some people have resorted to trying various home remedies to treat UTIs. Though home remedies may work for some people, others will need to use medical treatments in combination with some of the additional methods.

Possible additional home remedies for UTIs include:

Cranberry juice
One popular remedy for getting rid of UTIs is using cranberry juice. Consuming cranberry juice helps to lower the acidity of urine. Several clinical trials have tested the effectiveness of using cranberry juice for treating UTI, but the results are unsatisfying.

However, drinking cranberry juice helps to ease the symptoms of a lot of people. Go for the sugar-fee option and stop drinking it if it causes diarrhea or an upset stomach. People on blood-thinning drugs should avoid cranberry juice.

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Dietary changes
Water tends to dilute urine, making it less acidic. So, drink lots of water if you have UTI. This causes the urine to be less acidic and to flush out bacteria from the urinary tract.

Consuming some certain foods and drinks can irritate a sensitive bladder. So avoid these foods if you have UTI: caffeine, alcohol, citrus, sodas, and spices.

Essential oils
A study suggests that using essential oil like lemongrass oil, may help to treat some types of bacterial infections, including Escherichia coli (E. coli), the bacteria responsible for most UTIs. Consult your doctor before using essential oils to treat a UTI. Never ingest essential oil. You can inhale it using a diffuser or apply it directly to the skin in a diluted form.

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Medical treatments for UTIs
Antibiotics
In treating UTIs, it is best to undergo a urine test because your doctor will prescribe antibiotics based on the bacteria found in your urine, and a medical history of your symptoms.

For a simple UTI, your doctor may prescribe:

Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
Cephalexin (Keflex)
Fosfomycin (Monurol)
Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Macrobid)
Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim, Sulfatrim)
Most people will get better within a few days of starting treatment, and the infection clears up in a week or so. However, ensure you complete your medication even if you notice improvement in symptoms. For recurrent or complicated infections, different types of treatment may be required. You doctor may prescribe:

low-dose antibiotics for 6 months or more
single-dose antibiotics after sexual activity if infections are caused by intercourse
vaginal estrogentherapy for postmenopausal women

Preventing UTIs
Follow the steps below to prevent or reduce your chances of developing UTIs.

Avoid retaining or holding urine in bladder for too long
avoid using soap, vaginal douches, and other feminine hygiene products in your private area
change birth control methods, because diaphragms and spermicide-treated condoms can lead to growth of bacteria
drink lots of water always
take a shower instead of a bath to reduce your risk of infection
urinate before and after sexual intercourse and wash properly afterwards
wipe from front to back after using the toilet or after bowel movements

Source: https://healthdiary365.com/can-baking-soda-be-used-to-treat-a-uti/