Drinking plenty of water when you have a UTI can help your body to flush out bacteria; however, you may want to consult your doctor about how much water you should drink each day. Drinking too much water can dilute any antibiotics that your doctor has prescribed. Drinking a baking soda solution once per day may help to relieve the burning sensation that comes along with a UTI. Mix 1 tsp of baking soda into an 8 oz glass of water until the baking soda has dissolved. Then drink the whole glass. This solution will alkalinize the urine and decrease the pain as the urine passes. You may want to skip this treatment if you are on a low-sodium diet because baking soda has a high sodium content. While you are dealing with a UTI, avoid certain foods and drinks that may cause spasms of the bladder. Pass on coffee, alcohol, chocolate, and soft drinks that have caffeine and/or citrus flavors while you have a UTI. These foods and beverages may make your UTI worse. Ginger tea has anti-inflammatory properties and it may help to reduce some of the pain and discomfort caused by a urinary tract infection. Ginger inhibits prostaglandin release in much the same way as NSAIDs. You can buy ginger tea in the store or just pour a cup of boiling water over a few pieces of crushed ginger in a mug. Horseradish may help to kill the bacteria that cause a UTI. Add about a ½ teaspoon of freshly grated horseradish to food as a garnish or create a horseradish solution to drink. To create a solution, mix ½ teaspoon of grated horseradish with water. Eat or drink the horseradish, but be ready with a glass of milk to follow it up. Horseradish is very hot and you may need some milk to counter the sensation of heat. A mixture of cream of tartar, warm water, and lemon juice also has bactericidal properties. Mix 1 ½ teaspoon of cream of tartar with about one cup of warm water. Then, add a squeeze of lemon juice to the mixture. Drink the whole solution one to two times per day.

Summary: Drink adequate water. Prepare a baking soda solution. Steer clear of bladder irritants. Sip some ginger tea. Use horseradish as a food garnish. Mix cream of tartar with warm water and lemon juice.


Since even the smallest speck of asbestos can cause health problems, it’s a good idea to completely clear out the room that you’ll be taking a sample from. If you can’t remove all the furniture, then push it far away from the sampling area and cover it all with plastic drop cloths. If you remove a sample from a ceiling, then asbestos particles can become airborne if you have air circulating in the room. To keep this from happening, turn off your heating or cooling system. Shut any windows or doors and keep any fans turned off. Wear coveralls or outer clothing that you won’t mind throwing away after taking the sample. You can usually buy disposable coveralls for $5-10 at your local hardware store. Wear heavy disposable gloves as well. And, put on a breathing mask (a paper one is fine) and goggles, too. It’s bad to let asbestos touch your skin, so keep totally covered.  Remember that you’ll need to toss everything that you’ve worn on the outside, including goggles and gloves. So, don’t spend a lot on them. While you are taking the sample and before you’ve fully cleaned up, don’t let anyone else in the room. Get industrial plastic sheeting from your hardware store. Place this sheeting on the floor directly under where you’ll take the sample. Use duct tape to secure the sheeting to the floor, so that it won’t shift around. Set your ladder directly on top of the sheeting and under where you’ll take the sample. When you’ve finished placing the plastic, get a spray bottle and mist the whole space with water. This helps to keep any dust particles from floating around. It’s not necessary to saturate any surfaces, just a quick spraying will do fine.

Summary: Remove all furniture and items from the room. Close the windows and shut off any fans. Put on your safety gear. Lay plastic drop cloths on the floor. Mist the room with water.


When you're active, your body releases endorphins which elevate your mood. The enjoyment you get from the activities will keep you from focusing on the "loss" of the Internet.  Eat. You don’t need the internet to tell you ratings if the restaurant you just walked past smelled amazing. Play a game. Card games, dominoes, and even board games are great ways to spend time with others. Visit an arcade. Be a pinball wizard, throw a few skee balls, or kill some zombies. Attend a mixer. Hotels and resorts often have happy hours and events for the residents to attend. Instead of holing up in your room with your computer or your phone, giving up the Internet allows you to find out what’s around you. You can soak in the local ambiance and connect with your vacation spot.  Find museums or landmarks. Many sites offer audio-guided tours that allow you to fully experience the things you see without the need for Google. Find local music. You may decide to try out a dance class or just listen to what the area has to offer. Physical activity gets your blood and adrenaline pumping. Even if you’re not an exercise junkie, there are plenty of ways to work out that don’t feel like work. In addition to the exercise, you may also be able to learn something about your vacation spot or see something new.  Take a walking tour or hike. If you choose to hike, look for a local guide to keep from getting lost. Use your hotel or resort's amenities. Most resorts have a gym, a basketball court, a lap pool, or more. Do some yoga. Hit up a local class around town. Mix exercise with adventure. Try extreme sports like wind surfing, sky-diving, bungee jumping, or whitewater rafting. Sometimes you have to do nothing in order to feel that you're doing something. Allow yourself to slow down and take in your experiences. Go out and enjoy nature. Spending time outside can help to relieve your stress. Enjoy the sights, listen to the sounds, take in the smells, and view the landscapes around you.  If you're at a hotel or spa, take advantage of services or amenities that can take your stress away. You could lounge at a pool (remember to use sunscreen and keep hydrated!) or get a massage, a manicure and pedicure, or a facial. You can also meditate. Take time to be alone with yourself. You’ll be surprised at how differently you perceive yourself and the world around you after you’ve been alone with your thoughts.   Sleep. Bring a sleep mask and some quiet music to listen to.  Read. Immerse yourself in other worlds and let this one slip away.
Summary: Immerse yourself in activities. Learn about the culture. Exercise. Unplug.