- A bladder infection is an inflammation of your body's urine-producing system, including your kidneys, bladder and urethra. Bladder infections normally affect your bladder or your urethra but can also spread to the kidneys if left untreated. As a rule, the higher up the infection has traveled, the more serious it has become. Your physician will usually treat your bladder infection with a round of antibiotics and directions to drink lots of water to flush out your system.
- Bladder infections occur when bacteria finds its way from the intestinal tract into the urinary systems. Once inside, the bacteria begin to multiply, causing pain and irritation. There are several ways you can contract the infection, which allows the bacteria to get inside your urinary tract. You can get it through regular sexual intercourse because the urethra is so close to the anal area. Pregnant women are especially prone to bladder infections because an enlarged uterus blocking the urinary passage could prevent urine from being emptied from the bladder. The urine sits in the bladder, providing a breeding ground for bacteria and infection.
- The first sign of a bladder infection is often dysuria, a painful burning sensation when urinating. The burning comes from an irritated urethra, the tube through which urine is passed through the body. Dysuria is not limited to bladder infections though, and experiencing that burning while urinating does not necessarily mean you have one. You could also have a sexually transmitted disease (STD), or bladder tumors. If urinating is painful for you, you should consult a physician for a proper diagnosis.
- Painful urination is the major sign of a bladder infection, but other symptoms include an increased need to urinate or a sudden difficulty in urinating. You may also experience intense cramps in your lower back or lower abdomen. Bloody, cloudy or foul-smelling urine also indicates that something may be wrong. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your physician immediately for a diagnosis.
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You can avoid bladder infections or speed recovery along by drinking lots of water to flush the bacteria from your urinary tract. You can also fight off all types of infections by taking a daily multivitamin that contains vitamin C and zinc. Cranberries and other foods with high concentrations of antioxidants also prevent bacteria from attaching to the walls of the bladder and urethra. The bacteria are then flushed out of the urinary system with lots of fluids.
Always wipe front to back after a bowel movement to prevent bacteria from finding its way into your urinary tract. Clean your genitals thoroughly with warm water and mild soap at least once a day, and after sexual intercourse. Also, urinate as soon as you feel the urge to avoid a buildup of urine in your bladder.
