The urinary bladder is part of your excretory system where urine is stored until such time that it is ready to exit your body. Your urinary bladder is vital because without it, you will be urinating all the time or perhaps have a urine storage bag attached to your all the time. Because of its primary function, the bladder is very prone to infection. Bladder infection occurs when bacteria is able to penetrate through the bladder. This results to the contamination of the entire urine depository.
Bladder infection or cystitis is said to be one of the most common forms of urinary tract infection or UTI. When there is bladder infection, the bladder is inflamed. Usually, sexually active females get them. When pathogenic organisms like E.coli gets into your bladder, infection immediately starts. You could acquire a bladder infection through sexual intercourse, rubbing the vagina, and oral sex. These are all very effective opportunities for the bacteria to enter your bladder and cause it to get infected. Here are some other facts about bladder infection that may interest you:
1. Symptoms
When you have a urinary tract infection like bladder infection, you always have that urgency to urinate, you urinate frequently, bladder spasms, dysuria (pain or burning sensation when urination), desire expel urine even if there is only little urine or no urine that comes out. There also cases wherein the patient excretes foul smelling, turbid, and bloody urine, accompanied by slight fever. These changes in your urination and urine all tell you head on that there is a direct bacterial infection inside your bladder. Fever is a strong indication of infection. This tells you that there is a continuous battle between the bacterial invasion and the antibodies that you have. The quality of your urine could be evaluated through a laboratory test, wherein you will submit a fresh sample of your urine in a sterile container.
2. Treatment
When you have bladder infection, it is important for the doctor to subject your urine sample to a lab test. Before you give your urine through the clean catch urine test, you should make sure that your genitals are clean. So, you are given time to wash your genitals first and then you are given time to give a sample of your urine in a sterile cup given by your doctor. To be more thorough, the doctor may subject your urine to another urine test that will yield results after 48 hours. With this test, your physician will be able to see what kind of bacteria is present in your bladder. This will then give way to the correct antibiotic that you should finish according to the prescription. You should remember that even if you already feel better after three or four days, you should still finish taking your antibiotics. If you don’t, then you only stunned the bacteria. Finishing the antibiotics will completely kill the bacteria. Pain medication will also be prescribed to you because pain will most likely persist.
Aside from medical treatments, you could help the bacterial flushing by drinking lots of water. You could also drink pure cranberry juice that makes hippuric acid when it touches the urine. This increases the urine’s acidity that prevents the bacteria present there to stick or attach to your bladder’s wall. Cranberry capsules are also available if pure cranberry juice isn’t. You may also take Vitamin C or ascorbic acid to further strengthen your immune system and bladder tissues against damage.
3. Prevention
Bladder infection can be prevented. Women are more prone to UTIs such as this because they have shorter urethra. For them to minimize the risk of acquiring bladder infection, women should wipe from front to back after they urinate or defecate. Washing should also be the same way to prevent the spreading of bacteria from the anus to the urethra. You should also urinate when you have the urge to. Never hold it in for very long. Make sure that you keep your genitalia dry and clean. Very long and frequent bubble baths should be avoided as well because this irritates the vaginal area. You should also avoid wearing wet swimsuits and nylon underwear.
Sexually active people should urinate after intercourse or within ten minutes after the act. You should also avoid getting into sexual positions that irritate or hurt you urethra. Water soluble or water based lubricants should be used.
Immediately visit your doctor if you already notice symptoms of bladder infection. Don’t ever ignore them because they will escalate and will result to complications. The infection may spread to other parts of your urinary tract. Like any other disease, early treatment will yield early comfort.