Viral hack that claims to ease UTIs and acid reflux actually puts you at risk of ‘high blood pressure and seizures’
A VIRAL hack making its rounds on TikTok claims to ‘cure’ painful urinary tract infections.
But a doctor has warned that it won’t do anything to ease your symptoms – in fact, it could lead to other health complications like high blood pressure and seizures.
An increasing number of TikTok users recommend mixing baking soda with water and drinking this home remedy for fast UTI relief.
One creator claimed washing down a teaspoon of baking soda with six ounces of water got rid of her UTI within 30 minutes.
“That was the best thing I could have ever found,” another gushed after using the ‘cure’, saying it got rid of her symptoms overnight.
One user even claimed baking soda could be used to treat kidney infections, getting rid of “the burn from inside out”.
Baking soda has cropped up in other health hacks too, with a chef posting to Instagram that adding a spoonful of baking soda to tomato sauce or soup could lessen the likelihood of acid reflux symptoms.
UTIs are infections that can affect the bladder, kidneys and the tubes connected to them.
They can cause symptoms like pain or a burning sensation when urinating, needing to pee more often, and cloudy or strong-smelling urine.
But Dr Hina Gauher, GP and cystitis lead at Boots Online Doctor warned that you shouldn’t resort to baking soda – often used for cleaning hacks – to treat health concerns like UTIs, and she urged people to think twice before following health advice online.
She said: “TikTok has become a popular hub for discussions about health trends.
“While it’s great that there’s such a strong appetite for accessible healthcare information online, it’s important to be aware that a lot of the content is being created by people with no healthcare training.
“A lot of the ‘hacks’ you’ll find on TikTok are not rooted in scientific evidence and can sometimes be harmful.”
She added: “While UTIs can be extremely uncomfortable and frustrating, consuming baking soda with water in large quantities to relieve symptoms isn’t safe.
“You won’t know the sodium content like you would in over-the-counter medications, like cystitis relief sachets.
“This is especially dangerous for people with high blood pressure or heart conditions, as baking soda, otherwise known as sodium bicarbonate, is a salt, and salt intake should be carefully monitored.
“In very rare cases, there’s a risk of seizures.”
How to treat UTIs
The GP described what you should be doing instead if you’re struck with the painful infection.
Your first option is visiting a pharmacy for advice on different treatments.
“In England, women aged 16-64 can access free advice and prescription treatment through the NHS Pharmacy First Service,” Dr Hina said.
“There’s also the option to visit your GP, who may prescribe a short course of antibiotics to help treat the infection.
Alternatively, you can use the Boots Online Doctor Cystitis Treatment service.
“Pain relief can also help manage symptoms,” Dr Hina went on.
“Over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol and ibuprofen can help with any discomfort while the infection is being treated.
“If you prefer not to take pain relief medicine, try holding a hot water bottle on your stomach or between your thighs instead, as heat can help to ease discomfort too.”
What is a UTI?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are usually caused by E.coli bacteria – found in poo – entering the urinary tract.
The bacteria enter through the tube that carries pee out of the body (urethra).
Women are more likely than men to pick up UTIs as they have a shorter urethra than men.
This means bacteria are more likely to reach the bladder or kidneys and cause an infection.
According to the NHS, things that increase the risk of bacteria getting into the bladder include:
- Having sex
- Pregnancy
- Conditions that block the urinary tract – such as kidney stones
- conditions that make it difficult to fully empty the bladder – such as an enlarged prostate in men and constipation in children
- Urinary catheters (a tube in your bladder used to drain urine)
- Having a weakened immune system – for example, people with diabetes or people having chemotherapy
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Not keeping the genital area clean and dry
Check if it’s a UTI
Symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) may include:
- Pain or a burning sensation when peeing (dysuria)
- Needing to pee more often than usual
- Needing to pee more often than usual during the night (nocturia)
- Needing to pee suddenly or more urgently than usual
- Pee that looks cloudy
- Blood in your pee
- Lower tummy pain or pain in your back, just under the ribs
- A high temperature, or feeling hot and shivery
- A very low temperature below 36C
Your pee may also be dark or smell. If this is your only symptom, it might be because you’ve not been drinking enough water.
What to do if you think you have a UTI
If you think you have UTI symptoms, you should speak to your GP to discuss treatment options.
Most people will need antibiotics.
Some people may be prescribed a ‘delayed antibiotic’, meaning they’ll be asked only to use it if their symptoms don’t go away after a certain amount of time.
If you keep getting UTIs, your GP might recommend you have a low dose of antibiotics over a long period of time or refer you to a specialist for more tests and treatments.
For women who have gone through menopause, there is evidence that vaginal oestrogen creams can reduce UTI symptoms.
Source: NHS
The GP also shared some general self-care tips for easing UTI symptoms.
“Drinking plenty of water – without baking soda – is one of the best ways to help flush out bacteria from your urinary tract and relieve UTI symptoms,” she said.
“Try and aim for at least six to eight glasses of water a day.
“Avoiding bladder irritants can also make a difference.
“If possible, steer clear of caffeinated drinks, alcohol and spicy foods, as they can irritate the bladder and potentially make UTI symptoms worse.”
Dr Hina noted: “If you’ve followed the steps above but your symptoms persist or worsen after a few days, you experience a fever (high temperature of 38°C or above), pain in your sides/back, or nausea/vomiting, these could be signs of a more serious infection and you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111.”
How to avoid UTIs
Want to avoid the painful infection in the first place?
“Practising good hygiene is an important step,” Dr Hina said.
“Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet to prevent bacteria from spreading to the urethra, reducing the risk of infection.
“Urinating regularly is key too. Don’t hold in urine and go to the toilet as soon as you feel the need to.
“This helps clear bacteria from the urinary tract before it has the chance to multiply.
“Sex habits also play a role in preventing infections. Washing the vaginal area before and after sexual activity and urinating shortly afterwards can help remove bacteria and lower the risk of developing a UTI.”
Baking soda for acid reflux
Acidic ingredients like tomatoes can sometimes set off acid reflux, a burning feeling in the chest caused by stomach acid bubbling up towards the throat.
Chef Tim Frey took to Instagram with a hack to sidestep the unpleasant symptom: “A spoonful of baking soda in your tomato soup or sauce will reduce the acid – making the soup taste a little better and making it less severe on people who have acid reflux issues.
“Just make sure to mix it thoroughly and then cook it for another 20 minutes. Uncooked baking soda doesn’t taste very good.”
Elena Rolt, registered nutritional therapist and certified functional medicine practitioner at Health Miro, told HuffPost UK that adding a small pinch of baking soda to tomato-based dishes may help neutralise acidity in tomatoes, potentially reducing the likelihood of excessive acid production in the stomach that can irritate the oesophagus.
She said that you should add in no more than a small pinch – about 1/8 of a teaspoon.
While the baking ingredient may help tone down the acidity of a dish, it should only be a temporary solution to acid reflux if you’re in a fix and don’t have any other treatments on hand.
Baking soda is also a salt, and too much salt can lead to further problems, as discussed above.
You should speak to a pharmacist for advice if you keep getting heartburn.
They may recommend medicines called antacids or alginates that can help ease your symptoms – these meds will not cure the problem and should not be taken regularly for long periods.
See a GP if lifestyle changes and pharmacy medicines are not helping your heartburn and you have heartburn most days.