Bladder Infection Explained for You

About 1 in 3 women will get a bladder infection at least once in their life. Many of them will suffer from recurring bladder infections. Although men and children may also suffer from this ailment, women are the most common victims. Why does this occur so often in females? It may be because women have a relatively short urethra. You may suffer a bladder infection only or it may be part of a urinary tract infection (UTI) which can affect not only the bladder but also the kidneys, urethra, or ureter.

What Is a Bladder Infection?

A bladder infection may also be called cystitis, or inflammation of the bladder, the flexible sac where urine is stored. It is caused by the growth of bacteria within the bladder. Normally the body can remove the problematic bacteria, but sometimes it adheres to the walls of the bladder and multiplies at such a rapid pace that the body cannot control it efficiently. That’s when a bladder infection occurs.

Bladder infections are classified into 2 types: simple and complicated. Most of them fall into the simple category because their only cause is the growth of bacteria. Complicated bladder infections are found in men and in people who may have nerve damage, an obstruction, or who use a catheter to transport urine out of the body. Certain illnesses, like diabetes, may also cause a complicated bladder infection.

Symptoms of Bladder Infections

Most bladder infections cause the same type of symptoms and those who have experienced more than one bout with the condition can usually identify their symptoms soon after they begin to occur. Symptoms of bladder infections may include:

When to See a Doctor

If you have the following symptoms, you should seek doctor's advice and help immediately:

How to Get Bladder Infections in Control

Diagnosing a bladder infection is a relatively simple process. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms. If you have recurring bladder infections, she may be able to help you over the phone. If this is your first bladder infection, you will need to visit the physician and probably have a urinalysis or urine culture to confirm the diagnosis.

Preventing Recurring Bladder Infections

Sometimes certain lifestyle changes will help cut down the occurrence of bladder infections. Some of these tips include:

Urinary tract infections are not fun. If you are one of those women who are vulnerable to this malady, taking steps to prevent them is important. If you have UTI, watch the video below to learn how to treat it at home: 

Same Category