Bladder Infection Summary

Bladder infections are also known as cystitis, urinary tract infections, or UTI.  Bladder infections are typically caused by bacteria entering through the urethra (usually from the anus) and traveling up the urinary tract.  While they are commonly referred to as bladder infections, UTIs can occur anywhere along the urinary tract.  If left untreated the UTI can cause kidney infections.

Women are more likely to get cystitis than men because of their physiology.  Women’s urethras are shorter and closer to the anus than men’s.  This makes it easier for bacteria from around the anus to enter the urethra and cause an infection.  The inflammation and infection of the urinary track is often very painful but usually not life threatening.

Bladder Infection Causes

There are a variety of things that can cause bladder infections.  They occur when bacteria get into the urinary tract.  E coli bacteria is the most common culprit for UTIs.  These bacteria usually live around the anus and in the bowel.  There are other factors that can contribute to bladder infections than just the E coli bacteria.  UTIs can be caused  by bladder stones, kidney stones, and an enlarged prostate.  These conditions make it difficult for the bladder to completely empty of urine.  While urine is normally sterile, if the bladder cannot completely be emptied it makes it a good environment for bacteria to grow in.  This results in a bladder infection.  Sexual intercourse, especially if a person has multiple partners can increase the risk of bladder infections.  If you are catheterized, this can also cause bladder infections.

Quick List of Causes

E coli bacteria entering the urethra
Kidney Stones, Bladder Stones – preventing complete voiding
Enlarged Prostate – preventing complete voiding
Sexual intercourse especially with multiple partners
Catheterization

Bladder Infection Symptoms

There are many different symptoms that are caused by bladder infections.  You will typically know if you have a bladder infection.  You will be able to tell right away because of the pain and uncomfortable sensations you will feel.  Common symptoms include pain or burning during urination, more frequent urination, wake up at might to urinate when you typically do not, have the urge to urinate and not be able to hold it, or do not pass much fluid when you urinate.

The symptoms of a urinary tract infection will also vary depending on the location of the infection.  If it is a lower urinary tract infection ( bladder infection ) then the typical symptoms may include feeling chills, a mild fever, blood in the urine, cloudy urine, foul smelling urine, and lower abdomen pain.  Upper urinary tract infections, such as kidney infections may have different symptoms than those of a lower urinary track infection.  Symptoms may also include high fever (over 101 degrees), shaking or chills, nausea, vomiting, and pain in the back or sides instead of the lower abdomen.  The pain only comes from the side that has the infected kidney.

Quick List of Symptoms

Pain or burning during urination
More frequent urination
The urge to urinate and not be able to hold it
The urge to urinate and not pass much fluid
Chills – Upper and Lower UTI
Mild Fever – Lower UTI
Blood in Urine - Upper and Lower UTI
Cloudy Urine - Upper and Lower UTI
Foul smelling urine - Upper and Lower UTI
Lower abdomen pain – Lower UTI
High Fever ( over 101 degrees) - Upper UTI
Nausea - Upper UTI
Vomiting - Upper UTI
Pain in the Back or Side - Upper UTI

Bladder Infection Treatment

Western Treatment for Bladder Infections

Antibiotics are the typical treatment regiment for bladder infections.  Antibiotics are prescribed for 7 to 14 days.  It is important that all prescribed antibiotics be taken to insure the infection is completely eliminated.  Unfortunately bacteria are increasingly resistant to antibiotics.  This can make the treatment of bladder infections with antibiotics more difficult and time consuming.

Antibiotics do not address the problem of reoccurring bladder infections.  Antibiotics work to eliminate an existing infection and cannot be taken on a maintenance basis to prevent a reoccurrence.  Each time a bladder infection occurs antibiotics are proscribed and this may limit their effectiveness in future treatment.  If the antibiotics run out before completely eliminating the infection it increases the risk that the infection will re-appear.