subject: Bladder Pain Symptoms and the Conditions That Cause Them [print this page] Bladder Pain Symptoms and the Conditions That Cause Them
There have been a number of studies done indicating that bladder infections are among the most common problems reported to doctors by their patients. Some people refer to a bladder infection as a "UTI" or urinary tract infection. Cystitis is the proper medical name for a bladder infection.
Normally, the bladder contains no germs. But they'll occasionally get in through the urethra, which connects the bladder to the vagina or penis.
While a UTI most often causes bladder pain, the infection can also migrate upward to the kidneys, causing a dangerous kidney infection.
Normally your doctor will prescribe antibiotics and your UTI pain and related symptoms will subside in a day or two.
Anyone with a bladder infection should also drink a lot of fluids. This helps wash the bacteria out of the urinary tract.
You can also have bladder pain and related symptoms from a disorder known as interstitial cystitis (often simply called painful bladder syndrome or IC).
It appears bladder pain and other symptoms of IC may be caused by a defect in the bladder wall.
When you have interstitial cystitis, your bladder becomes irritated and inflamed. The bladder wall stiffens because of the inflammation and the bladder can't expand comfortably while filling with urine, causing the sensation of bladder pressure.
Along with bladder pain, you may also feel pain in the pelvis. People frequently describe this pain, which may range from mild to severe, as a burning sensation. Anyone with interstitial cystitis will probably feel the need to urinate more frequently, or feel an urgency to urinate. It hurts most when the bladder is full and subsides when urine has been passed.
