Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Alkali substances, such as sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), have a long history of traditional use in managing bladder infections (urinary tract infections, or UTIs). The rationale is that alkalinizing the urine may reduce irritation and discomfort during urination, as acidic urine is thought to exacerbate symptoms like burning or pain. This belief was particularly prevalent before the advent of modern antibiotics, when people sought any non-pharmaceutical relief for UTI symptoms.

Historically, patients were sometimes advised to take alkaline powders or solutions to "neutralize" urine acidity, thereby providing symptomatic relief. However, scientific studies supporting the effectiveness of alkali administration for treating bladder infections are limited and of low quality. Modern clinical guidelines do not recommend alkali as a primary treatment for UTIs, as they do not address the underlying bacterial infection. Antibiotics remain the standard of care.

Some over-the-counter remedies still contain alkalinizing agents marketed for comfort, but these should not be considered a cure. At best, they may offer mild, temporary symptomatic relief. There is no high-quality scientific evidence demonstrating that alkalinizing the urine significantly impacts the course or outcome of bladder infections. Thus, the use of alkali for this purpose is justified by tradition rather than robust scientific validation.

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