Bladder Infection
What is Bladder Infection?
Bladder infections have a way of catching your attention. No matter how many times you go to the bathroom, you feel like you have to go again. You feel burning or stinging every time you pee once you’re in there, instead of going about your business mindlessly.
Infections of the bladder can lead to cystitis, which is when your bladder swells and becomes inflamed. That’s what causes the symptoms. A bladder infection is one of the most common types of urinary tract infections.
Women get bladder infections much more than men do. Usually, the infections are more annoying than they are serious. They can travel up the ureters to the kidneys and cause more severe complications, so it’s important to treat them right away.
What causes Bladder Infection?
Bladder infections often occur when bacteria get into the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, and then move into the bladder. Bacteria in the bladder can stick to the lining and cause it to become inflamed, a condition called cystitis. Bacteria can also travel from the bladder into the kidneys, causing kidney infection. When the bacteria stick to the bladder lining, the bladder becomes inflamed, a condition known as cystitis. Bacteria can also move from the bladder into the kidneys, resulting in kidney infection.
What are the symptoms of Bladder Infection?
The symptoms of bladder infection vary depending on the severity. You’ll immediately notice changes during urination. Some of the most common symptoms may include:
- Cramping or pressure in your lower abdomen or lower back
- A frequent sensation of having to urinate
- Foul-smelling urine
- Urinating more often than usual
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Pain or burning when urinating
What Are The Factors That Increases The Risk Of Bladder Infection?
- Changes in the urinary system
- Frequent sexual intercourse
- Frequent sexual intercourse
- Frequent sexual intercourse
- Having a bladder or kidney infection within the past 12 months
- Having diabetes
- Having sexual intercourse with a new partner
How to Diagnose Bladder Infection?
Your doctor can do some simple tests to find out if you have one, and they are usually easy to treat. If you get bladder infections often, your doctor may want to do more advanced tests to find the cause.
- Physical exam
- Urine analysis
To find the cause of a bladder infection, your doctor can use:
- Retrograde urethrography
- Voiding cystourethrography
- Intravenous urogram (IVU)
- Imaging
- Cystoscopy
Treatment and Medication for Bladder Infection
Mild bladder infections usually resolve on their own within a few days. Antibiotics are usually taken if they don’t. You will usually feel better in a day or two, but be sure to take all the medicine as directed.
Women with basic infections usually take antibiotics for 3 to 7 days, though some doctors may prescribe a single-dose antibiotic. If you are prone to infections, or if you get them frequently, you may need antibiotics for seven to ten days. Additionally, if you have another health condition, such as diabetes, you may be prescribed a stronger antibiotic to take for a longer period.
Antibiotic medications you can take: