What Causes Bladder Infections

Have you been experiencing a frequent urge to urinate every now and then? Do you experience a burning sensation while urinating? Well, these are some of the most common symptoms of a bladder infection. Bladder infections, which is medically referred to as cystitis, are characterized by inflammation of the bladder. It is the presence of Escherichia coli bacteria in the urinary tract that is mainly responsible for causing bladder infections. Though this condition can affect both men and women, women are at a greater risk of developing cystitis. If one has a basic idea about the symptoms of a bladder infection, one can seek medical help. In this article, we will find out what causes bladder infections and how can such an infection be treated.

Bladder Infection

Symptoms
Do you feel the need to urinate every now and then? Those suffering from bladder infections generally suffer from frequent urination. The most common symptom is the sudden or frequent urge to urinate. This might be accompanied by a burning sensation and pain during urination. Other symptoms are cloudy urine, bad urine odor, traces of blood in urine and pain in the lower abdominal region. Sometimes, the patient could also experience nausea, vomiting, chills and fever.

Causes
One of the major causes of bladder infections is bacteria passing through the urethra to the bladder. Women are more prone to these infections. Since women have a shorter urethra, bacteria can very easily find a way into the bladder. Another factor is the proximity of the opening of a woman's urethra to the vagina and the anus. Bacteria from these regions can easily get into the urinary tract and cause urinary tract infections. Sometimes, indulging in sexual intercourse with an infected person might also lead to bacterial growth and cause bladder infections. Another factor that can trigger the buildup of bacteria is insufficient urination. Certain medical conditions can also lead to an obstruction in the flow of urine. It could be caused due to kidney stones. Since the flow of urine is blocked, the bladder might not get emptied completely. Bacteria may multiply if traces of urine are left behind in the bladder. Holding urine for long periods can also lead to a bladder infection. Poor personal hygiene may also be a contributory factor.

Treatment
If you have been experiencing the aforementioned symptoms, you must get yourself medically examined. Your urine sample will be needed for diagnosing whether you have an infection or not. Bladder infections can be cured within a couple of weeks. Doctors usually prescribe antibiotics for treating bladder infections. Antibiotics curb the bacterial growth thereby alleviating the symptoms. One must, however, complete the entire course. One must also follow certain precautionary measures to prevent recurrence of bladder infections in future. Never hold urine for too long and empty your bladder whenever you experience an urge to urinate. Empty your bladder before and after sex to prevent bacteria from entering into the bladder through the urethra. Drink lots of fluids and follow a balanced diet to strengthen your immune system.

This was a brief overview on bladder infections. Those of you who have been experiencing the aforementioned symptoms must seek medical help. Do follow precautionary measures in order to avoid the recurrence of bladder infections in future.