The symptoms can range from irritating to incredibly painful, but UTIs will often heal on their own even if left untreated. One study showed that 71% of women who didn't treat their UTIs reported improvement within just 1 week.  Don't ignore frequent UTIs, though, as they could result in a far more dangerous kidney infection if left untreated. Seek medical attention if you feel a burning sensation when you urinate, are tired or shaky, have pain or pressure in lower abdomen or back, have cloudy, dark, bloody, or strange-smelling urine, or develop a fever. Antioxidants protect the body's cells from various types of damage. They're used to treat a wide variety of medical issues, from cancer and Alzheimer's disease to UTIs. Vegetables and fruits are naturally rich in antioxidants, but seek out specific foods, such as blueberries, raspberries, currants, blackberries, squash and bell peppers. Drinking lots of water encourages you to urinate often. Though it's uncomfortable, urinating often will help the infection heal more quickly. You shouldn't think that your body should be completely free of bacteria. In fact, for every cell in your body, there are 10 microbial organisms! Your gut produces healthy, natural bacteria that help your body to perform some tasks—from digesting food and supporting your immune system to helping your brain function properly. When you don't have a healthy "gut flora," as experts call it, your body is vulnerable to a variety of health issues ranging from cancer and diabetes to UTIs.  Fermented foods can help maintain a healthy balance in your body. Eat foods such as yogurt, pickles, tempeh, miso, sauerkraut, kefir, and kombucha teas. You can also take probiotic (healthy bacteria) supplements to promote gut health. They've been shown to help prevent recurrent UTIs and are likely useful in preventing UTIs in general.  Many yogurt brands now include probiotics, but you can also take probiotics in pill form. Probiotics are measured in units of either "organisms" or "colony forming units" (CFU). Shoot for 5 billion organisms/CFU per day. Omega-3 fats are necessary for a healthy immune system that can fight off infection. The best source of omega-3 fats you can find is fish, although you can also buy supplements in pill form at the grocery store. Caffeine acts as a stimulant, and the type of processed sugar found in processed or sweet food feeds bacteria. Both of these things will encourage your infection to worsen, so avoid them at all costs. Cut coffee, black teas, and sodas out of your diet.

Summary:
Consider waiting out your UTI. Eat foods rich in antioxidants. Stay hydrated. Support the natural balance in your gut. Increase the amount of fish in your diet. Avoid caffeine and sugar.