Bladder Infections- Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

What is a bladder infection?

Bladder infections are known to be the inflammation of the bladder. The majority of women experience this at least at some point in their lives. Bladder infections are also known as Urinary tract infections or cystitis. Although men also have a high chance of contacting cystitis due to the growth in prostate size as they get older. Medical doctors have no explanation to why women contract this infection more than men, however it is said that women’s urethra is shorter than that of men, which makes it easier for the bacteria to find its way into the bladder.

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Bladder infections pose no immediate threat to the general health of a human being, though it can cause complications if not treated immediately. Bladder infection is known to lead to kidney failure if not treated accordingly. The older community is known to have this disease, though doctors have a hard time figuring out the reasons behind this, they have previously blamed it on aging.

The causes of bladder infection

The most possible way for a person to get infected in the urinary system is normally through they urethra, the tube that leads to the bladder. The organism mainly responsible for this infection is known as, E. Coli short for Escherichia coli. Women are known to contract bladder infections after intercourse. Penetration from the vagina makes it easier for the bacteria to make its way to the bladder. A person who is active sexually has a high risk of getting a bladder infection. Bladder infections are known to be reoccurring after contacting it for the first time. However, in the male population having a bladder infection is a sign of an underlying illness.

Bladder infections can be treated, though it is rather uncomfortable after a person gets infected. In the recent years studies have shown that a large percentage of bladder infections are caused by sexual intercourse, especially with women. A low immune system is cause of any infection in the human body; one must remain generally healthy to keep free from infections. If your immune system is low the body has a higher risk of getting a bladder infection.

Symptoms of a bladder infection

Bladder infections are known to cause a few of the following symptoms.

– Having to urinate more often than regular
– Experiencing pain and discomfort while urinating
– The presence of blood in the urine
– When your urine is seen to be cloudy or to give out a strong odor.
– You have nausea and are vomiting
– You have back pains
– Confusion

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Those are just a few of the symptoms are simple bladder infection may cause. When the infection gets complicated, the symptoms may vary, depending on how bad the complication may be. Bladder infections sometimes also come with other fever like symptoms, such as chills, nausea and vomiting. Bladder infections sometimes also come with no symptoms at all. A person may have a bladder infection but would not know about it. Complicated bladder infections are known to require more attention and longer period of treatment compared to a simple infection.

How to diagnose a bladder infection?

Upon going to the hospital, the nurse might ask you what your symptoms are. If these symptoms match with the description of bladder infection, then it you will probably be given the proper medication. If diagnosed previously of the same infection, you could contact your doctor through the phone.

However, if the infection is in a complicated stage, it is advised that the patient go to the hospital for proper treatment. This most times consists of going through with a urinalysis test. Once the results are out, your doctor will treat you according to its findings. In more complicated cases, more tests will have to be done to identify the source of the problem and treat it using the right medication.

Prevention of bladder infections

It is known that prevention is way better than cure. One can protect themselves from bladder infections through the proper use of personal intimate hygiene. Women are advised to clean themselves thoroughly with tissue and urinate after sexual intercourse. Urinating as soon as you feel the urge to is also advised because holding your urine is known to be also linked to bladder infections.

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Drinking lots of fluids on a daily basis is also known to be a preventive measure towards bladder infections. For those with a history of bladder infections, going through a few days on antibiotics are known to be a preventive measure to bladder infections.

A more natural way of preventing bladder infection is the frequent use of vitamin C. Since sexual intercourse is seen to be linked to it, urinating right after intercourse is also advised to help prevent getting infected.

Treatment

There are a few ways in which bladder infections can be treated, antibiotics being the most common of them. Most infections are of the simple nature, although when the infection gets into the complicated stage the treatment would vary from the simple infection. People with reoccurring urinary tract infections usually result to self-treatment, this being a continuation of the medications their doctors prescribed for them. The treatment used for complicated cases are more aggressive methods, meaning stronger medications and most probably a longer period of treatment.
Treating bladder infections most times depends on the patient, most treatments vary if the person is pregnant, a child, or an elderly person. The treatment would depend on the person. A majority of patients treated of bladder infections usually feel better in 2 to 3 days. If you do not feel better after 3 days, it is advised to see your doctor immediately.

Prognosis

Bladder infections are quite mild in nature during its simple stage, though when complicated it is seen to be rather fatal. Most people heal from this infection within days of self-treatment. Maintain proper intimate hygiene. If you are pregnant and you have this infection, you should contact your doctor immediately.

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