What is a Bladder Infection?
Bladder Infection is most often caused by a bacterial infection within the bladder. For people with weakened immune systems, yeast can cause bladder infections as well.
A bladder infection is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI). This refers to an infection anywhere in the urinary tract, such as the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra.
Most cases of bladder infections are acute, meaning they occur suddenly. Other cases may be chronic, meaning they recur over the long term. Early treatment is key to preventing the spread of the infection.
Causes of Bladder Infection
Bacteria that enter through the urethra and move into the bladder cause bladder infections. Normally, the body removes the bacteria by flushing them out during urination.
Bacteria can sometimes attach to the walls of the bladder and multiply quickly. This overwhelms the body’s ability to destroy them, resulting in a bladder infection.
An infection can occur when bacteria from the stool get onto the skin and enter the urethra. In women, the urethra is short and the outside opening is not far from the anus, so bacteria can easily move from one body system to another.
Symptoms of bladder infection
The symptoms of a bladder infection vary depending on the severity. You’ll immediately notice changes during urination. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- foul-smelling urine
- a frequent sensation of having to urinate, which is called “urgency”
- pain or burning when urinating
- cloudy or bloody urine
- urinating more often than usual, which is called “frequency”
- cramping or pressure in the lower abdomen or lower back
When bladder infections spread, they can also cause mid-back pain. This pain is associated with infection in the kidneys. Unlike muscular back pain, this pain will be persistent regardless of your position or activity.
A kidney infection will often cause fever, chills, nausea, and vomiting. You’ll typically feel quite ill. Kidney infections are more serious than bladder infections and require urgent medical attention.
Risk Factor for Bladder Infection
Anyone can get bladder infections, but women are more prone to getting them than men. This is because women have shorter urethras, making the path to the bladder easier for bacteria to reach.
Females’ urethras are also located closer to the rectum than men’s urethras. This means there is a shorter distance for bacteria to travel.
As men age, the prostate can enlarge. This can cause blockages to the flow of urine and increase the likelihood of a man developing a UTI. UTIs tend to increase in men as they age.
Other factors can increase the risk of bladder infections for both men and women. These include:
- bowel incontinence
- pregnancy
- urinary retention, which means difficulty emptying the bladder
- advanced age
- immobility
- insufficient fluid intake
- surgical procedure within the urinary tract
- urinary catheter
- diabetes
- nervous system conditions that affect bladder function, like multiple sclerosis
- weakened immune system
- urinary tract abnormality, which is caused by birth defects or injuries
- urinary obstruction, which is a blockage in the bladder or urethra
- narrowed urethra
- enlarged prostate
Diagnosis of Bladder Infection
A doctor can diagnose your bladder infection by performing a urinalysis. This is a test performed on a sample of urine to check for the presence of:
- white blood cells
- red blood cells
- nitrites
- bacteria
Your doctor may also perform a urine culture, which is a test to determine the type of bacteria in the urine causing the infection. Once the type of bacteria is known, it will be tested for antibiotic sensitivity to determine which antibiotic will best treat the infection.
Treatment for Bladder Infection
Bladder infections are treated with prescription medications to kill the bacteria, usually antibiotics, and medications that relieve pain and burning.
Medication
Oral antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria that are causing the bladder infection.
If you’re experiencing pain and burning sensations, your doctor may also prescribe medication to relieve those symptoms. The most common medication for relieving the pain and burning associated with bladder infections is called phenazopyridine (Pyridium).
Home treatment
When you have a UTI, drinking plenty of fluids can help flush the bacteria out of your bladder. Water is best because it is free of caffeine and artificial sweeteners, which are known bladder irritants.
Concentrated cranberry solutions, juices, and extracts may have a role in preventing UTIs against the bacteria E. coli. But they should not be solely relied upon to treat an active infection.
Prevention of Bladder Infection
Certain lifestyle changes may reduce your chances of getting a bladder infection.
If you have been experiencing recurrent bladder infections, your doctor may recommend prophylactic treatment. This consists of antibiotics taken in small daily doses to prevent or control future bladder infections.
Preventive antibiotic treatment
If you’re a woman experiencing recurrent bladder infections, your doctor may give you a prescription for daily antibiotics to prevent infections or to take when you feel the symptoms of a bladder infection.
They may also have you take a single dose of an antibiotic after sexual activity.
Outlook for Bladder Infection
Most bladder infections subside within 48 hours of taking the appropriate antibiotic. It’s important to finish all antibiotics prescribed, even if you’re feeling better.
Some bladder infections can worsen and spread to the kidneys due to antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, delayed or inadequate treatment, or other health issues.
If you have recurrent UTIs, it’s important to see your doctor. You many need certain tests to make sure your urinary system is otherwise healthy.
Chronic bladder infections require a combination of treatment and more aggressive preventive measures. Long-term daily antibiotics may be necessary in some cases.
Being proactive about bladder infections can help reduce their occurrence as well as the pain and possible complications that accompany them. The earlier you seek treatment, the less likely it is that the infection will spread and the sooner you’ll feel better.