How to get rid of a Bladder Infection?
When you have a bladder infection, it’s not uncommon to constantly feel the urge to use the toilet. Except most of the time you go to the bathroom, you barely have any urine to pass and the few drops that come out leave you feeling like you’re urinating hot sauce.
Bladder infections are one of the most common types of urinary tract infections. They aren’t cause for alarm, but they can cause symptoms that will make you very uncomfortable until the infection has cleared. That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs of a bladder infection so you can get the treatment you need.
What is a Bladder Infection?
Bladder infections, also known as cystitis, are urinary tract infections (UTI’s) caused by bacteria getting into your bladder through your urethra. E. coli is the most common type of bacteria that causes bladder infections.
Women tend to get cystitis more often because their urethras are shorter than men’s. Sex, tampoms, and birth control methods like diapgrahms also make women more susceptible to bladder infections. Pregnancy can increase this risk because with the baby pressing down on the bladder, it can’t fully empty, creating a perfect environment for bacteria to grow. Menopausal women may get cystitis more frequently because their urethra becomes weaker after the menopause.
Male bladder infections are usually caused by bladder stones, a prostate infection, or an enlarged prostate. All of these conditions prevent the bladder from fully emptying, opening the door for an infection to grow.
Symptoms of a Bladder Infection- Persistent urges to urinate even when you don’t need to go
- Burning or stinging pain when urinating
- Only passing small amounts of urine
- Strong smelling urine
- Cloudy or discoloured urine
- Blood in the urine
- Abdominal pain
- Pain during sex
Women may also experience generalised pelvic pain in the centre of the pelvis and around the pubic bone. Other symptoms that some people experience with a bladder infection are fever, tiredness, confusion, and nausea.
Tips for Preventing Future Bladder Infections- Keep yourself hydrated and drink water often
- Ensure there’s enough lubrication for sex, especially if it’s prolonged and vigorous
- Use the toilet after sex and drink a glass of water
- Drink unsweetened cranberry juice
- Wear cotton underwear
- Urinate whenever you have the urge
- Women should always wipe back to front after using the toilet
- Avoid using perfumed soaps and cosmetics in the genital area
- Try switching your method of birth control if you’re using a diaphragm or spermicide
Treating Bladder Infections
Bladder infections aren’t life threatening, but if they go untreated you run the risk of the infection travelling up through your urinary tract and infecting your kidneys. Untreated bladder infections also make it more likely that the infection will come back.
If the bladder infection is caused by bacteria, your doctor will prescribe you antibiotics to treat the infection. Recurrent episodes of cystitis may need to go on a longer course of antibiotics.
- Trimethoprim Tablets: Effective antibiotics that can be used to treat various infections like cystitis, UTIs, recurrent bladder infections, respiratory infections, and sinus infections.
- Nitrofurantoin Tablets: Antibiotics that kill the bacteria that causes UTIs, kidney infections, and cystitis.
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Authored By
HARMINDER ‘HARMY’ KAUR
BSc(hons) Pharmacy
GPhC Number: 2061107
Reviewed By
GURDEV SEHMI
BSc Pharm, MRPharmS, Independent Prescriber, Superintendent Pharmacist, Clinical Lead
GPhC Number: 2050925