Bladder Infection Symptoms

Did you know that almost 20 percent of women have suffered from bladder infections or cystitis? And 80 percent of those 20 percent have suffered from it more than once. So what is this bladder infection or cystitis that so many women and sometimes men suffer from?

What is a bladder infection?
A bladder infection is also called cystitis; it is most commonly defined as an inflammation of the bladder because of bacteria or a virus. Most forms of bladder infection or cystitis is because of bacteria, the most common being Escherichia Coli. Though a bladder infection is a minor problem, if it isn’t checked and controlled it can spread upwards to the kidneys, where it can become a serious issue. The reason women suffer from a bladder infection more often than men is because they have shorter urethras, which makes them more susceptible to infections than men.
Bladder infections are categorized into simple infection and complicated infection. Simple bladder infections are those that plague healthy women with normal urinary systems. Men who are healthy yet suffer from bladder infections are considered in the complicated infection category.

More about simple bladder infections
Simple bladder infections occur when the bacteria travels into the bladder, this is more common in women because of the structure of the women’s urinary system. The reason women are more susceptible is also because of the proximity of the rectum to the urethra. Sexually active women are also more prone to bladder infections as the bacteria are more likely to get pushed up into the bladder during intercourse.

More about complicated bladder infections
The reason these are called complicated bladder infection is because these are abnormalities in the urinary system, which makes the infection, complicated to treat. Men are more susceptible to these infections and they are more complicated for them as their urethra is longer and give time for the infection to become complicated by the time it reaches the bladder. The most common reason for a complicated bladder infection among men is an enlarged prostate.

Bladder Infection Symptoms
Symptoms of simple bladder infection:

• Need to urinate very often, and the urination occurs in small quantities.
• Sudden and abrupt need to urinate.
• Pain, discomfort and burning sensation while urinating.
• Frequent need to urinate at night.
• Pain or discomfort in the lower abdominal region.
• Traces of blood in the urine.
• Cloudy and smelly urine.
• In case of a child, bed-wetting could be the only symptom, as they have lesser control on their bladders.

Symptoms of Complicated bladder infection:

• Burning or pain while urinating.
• Excessive need to urinate and sometimes in small quantities.
• Odor and cloudy urine.
• In case of severe infection, fever and chills.
• Some people even suffer from nausea and vomiting.
• Pain in the flank and back or lover abdomen.
• Blood in the urine.

Dealing with a bladder infection isn’t difficult; it can be sorted out with antibiotics. There are some ways to prevent it as well; the first step is to take care of hygiene and being healthy.