Bladder Infection Causes
Bladder Infection Causes
Bladder Infection Causes
A bladder infection is also called a urinary tract infection, or a UTI. Cystitis is the medical term for this very common bladder problem. Eight million people visit their doctor every year because of bladder pain and discomfort - and that's just in the United States.
While there are many possible causes for a bladder infection, the ones that are described below lead the list.
The first - and most common - cause is bacteria that is left on the skin in the rectal area after a bowel movement. Around 4 out of 5 of those patients who have a urinary tract infection get it from a type of bacteria known as Escherichia coli, or E. coli, which originates in the intestines.
These bacteria can find their way to the genital area in a variety of ways. From there, they get into the urinary tract through the vagina or the penis.
Statistically speaking one of every two women will suffer at least one urinary tract infection during her lifetime. The numbers are not nearly as high for men.
Once these bacteria enter the urinary tract, they can migrate to the bladder and begin to multiply. They may also migrate from the bladder into one of the two ureters, which connect the kidneys to the bladder.
Intercourse is probably the most common way bacteria is transferred into the urinary tract. From there, they get into the bladder.
Medical research has shown that women who change sexual partners get more bladder infections than women in monogamous relationships.
Contraceptive methods can also influence the number of bladder infections you have. If you use a diaphragm that is not fitted properly, it may place pressure on the bladder and increase your chances of infection. Furthermore, spermicides can contain chemicals that irritate vaginal tissues, making them more susceptible to infection.
Bacteria can also reach the bladder from the other direction. In the case of a kidney infection, bacteria can travel down through the ureters and into the bladder. When an individual already has an infection in the kidneys, bacteria can travel down the ureters and settle in the bladder.
A second very typical cause of UTIs is holding back urine for too long. The longer urine remains in the bladder, the more time bacteria has to grow into an infection.
Any type of blockage in the urinary tract increases the risk of starting a bladder infection. Obstructions sometime occur in the ureters. When this happens, bacteria can grow in the residual urine.
Examples of such obstructions include bladder stones or kidney stones. In males, an enlarged prostate can also cause a blockage, with bacteria from the prostate traveling into the bladder.
Not drinking enough water is another way to cause a urinary tract infection. When you drink less, you urinate less. This gives bacteria a better chance to multiply.
Lastly, one of the most overlooked causes of cystitis is the type of clothing you wear.
Tight-fitting clothing and pantyhose may irritate tissues in the genitals and lower abdomen. They also trap heat and provide a friendly atmosphere for bacteria to grow. Cotton is probably your best choice. It tends to be less irritating and provides more ventilation than nylon and many other fabrics.
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