Bladder Infection Treatment

Bladder infection can also be referred to as a urinary tract infection (UTI). Kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra combine to form the urinary system of the body. Although any of these parts may fall prey to an infection, the bladder and urethra are the common parts to be infected. Bladder infection is not more than a source of pain and annoyance, until it reaches the kidneys. And if it does affect these organs, then there are all chances of the infection giving rise to bouts of other severe medical disorders. According to reports, this infection is more typical in women, than in males. This may be due to the short distance between the urethra and the anus, and due to the closeness of urethral opening and the bladder, in females.

Treating Bladder Infection With Antibiotics

The first line of treatment is the use of antibiotics. The types of these drugs and the duration of their use is influenced by the health condition of the patient and the type of bacteria which has caused the infection.

At the doctors, the standard antibiotics recommended for bladder infection are as follows:

• Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
• Amoxicillin
• Nitrofurantoin
• Ampicillin
• Ciprofloxacin
• Levofloxacin

Most patients recover from the symptoms within a few days of the treatment. However, to ensure that the infection has been totally eradicated, patients might still be required to continue taking the antibiotics. For people who are prone to frequent infection, the treatment may involve a longer duration of administration of antibiotics. To deal with severe infection, hospital stay with intravenous antibiotics may be necessary.

Speaking of over the counter medicines to deal with bladder infection, they are not much of a help. Antibiotics prescribed by a doctor are considered best to deal with such an infection. However, to relieve the pain while urinating, one can avail certain over-the-counter medications.

Treating Bladder Infection Without Antibiotics

In some cases, you may be successful in getting rid of the infection with the help of a few home remedies, provided the infection is mild. However, if such remedies do not respond well, then the more delay you make in seeing a doctor, the more you are risking yourself to severe complications. Here are some quick remedies which you can use at home:

• Cranberry juice has been a popular choice as a UTI home remedy. The juice is rich in agents known as proanthocyanidins. The advantage of drinking this juice is that these agents keep the pathogens from sticking to the walls of the bladder or urinary tract. And this makes it difficult for these organisms to grow and multiply.
• Apple cider vinegar is another remedy which is known to work well to manage bladder infection. Its richness in powerful enzymes and potassium hamper the bacterial growth.
• Taking vitamin C supplements help in increasing the acidity levels of the urine thus, developing a harsh environment for the bacteria to survive and spread the infection.
• Drink plenty of water. It not only helps to treat such infections but also prevents it to develop in the first place. 8-9 glasses of water is the daily requirement.

It is preferable to wear loose-fitting cotton clothes. Such material encourages air circulation and prevents the development of moist and warm environment, which otherwise, favors bacterial growth. And to conclude, never fight the urge to urinate. Holding back urine increases the chances for the bacteria to grow and aggravate the symptoms.