The Bladder Infection: Causes Of A Nagging Bladder Problem
A bladder infection is also commonly called a urinary tract infection
, or UTI. A kidney infection is also a UTI, but bladder infections happen more frequently than kidney infections, and are less dangerous. Kidney infections, if not treated, can eventually cause to kidney damage and even kidney failure, which can be life-threatening.
A bladder infection can also be known as cystitis. Simply put, cystitis is an inflammation inside the bladder.
A bladder infection occurs when bacteria finds its way into the urinary tract. Most people think there's already a lot of bacteria in the urinary tract, but actually there isn't. It's true that the bladder is like a liquid waste dump for the human body, collecting collecting salts and other fluids - but it's normally free of germs.
However, there are times when bacteria are able to infiltrate the bladder. When this happens, they are able to multiply rapidly and spread rapidly, and before long, an infection is underway.
About 80 percent of bladder infections are caused by Escherichia coli, or E. coli. This bacteria can originate in a number of places, but it's typically found in the intestines and on skin surfaces around the rectal areas and around the vaginal areas in women.
When bacteria migrates from the anus, or from an outside source, into the urethra (the narrow canal that urine passes through during urination), they can then enter into the bladder. Since this is more likely to occur with women, more women have urinary tract infections than men. Some women must cope with repeated infections, and approximately half of all women will have at least one urinary tract infection during their lifetime.
Tight fitting clothing can also help force bacteria up the urethra.
Bladder infections are usually easy to diagnose because the symptoms are generally obvious. You feel an urgent need to to urinate, even though your trips to the bathroom produce little in the way of results. A burning sensation is also typical while you're urinating (this burning sensation is known as dysuria).
Someone with a bladder infection also feels the need to visit the bathroom often. Urine will probably appear cloudy and dark, and will often be accompanied by an unpleasant foul odor.
A slight fever is also typical. There may also be occasional bladder spasms.
Because of the unpleasant symptoms that accompany a bladder infection (particularly the burning sensation), you might be tempted to drink less water or liquid because you don't want to urinate as much. However, doctors recommend against this thinking and say that you should drink plenty of water because it helps flush bacteria out of your urinary tract. Your doctor may also suggest that you drink certain juices or take vitamin C.
A bladder infection can be decidedly uncomfortable, but it is usually easy to treat with antibiotics that reduce the symptoms. Often, a bladder infection will go away in a few days whether it's treated or not. Nonetheless, if you have the symptoms mentioned above, you should talk to your physician because symptoms of a bladder infection are very much like the symptoms of a kidney infection. Once again, a kidney infection is a dangerous medical disorder that can have long range and very negative consequences.
by: Neal Kennedy
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