Bladder Infection Symptoms
Bladder infection - general facts
Bladder infections are generally caused by bacteria from the outside moving up the urethra to colonize the urinary tract and then up into the bladder. This explains why women are more likely to develop a bladder infection and develop symptoms of a bladder infection as a result - women have shorter urethras so it makes it easier for bacteria to move up the tract into the bladder.
Anything which would compromise your normal defences against bacteria taking residence in your urethra or bladder would be factors which contribute to you developing a bladder infection. These include bladder stones, an enlarged prostate in men. The resulting blockage stops your bladder from emptying completely and allows bacteria to colonize in your bladder resulting in an infection. Women using diaphragms also run the risk of getting a bladder infection.
Bladder infection symptoms - how do you know?
- burning sensation when urinating
- increased urge to urinate
- blood in the urine
- loss of appetite
- fever - only sometimes
If you experience any of the above symptoms, see your doctor who will take a urine sample and send it off for analysis.
Bladder infection - how can you prevent it?
- women should urinate before and after intercourse to flush out bacteria
- women should wipe from the front to the back after going to the toilet
- reduce your consumption of caffeinated drinks
- increase your fluid intake - drink at least 6 glasses (or the equivalent) of water daily
- urinate frequently to flush out potentially 'bad' bacteria
- cranberry juice helps acidify the urine and seems to help by making the urinary environment unfavorable for bacterial growth
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Bladder infection symptoms