Bladder Infection
Also known as: Cystitis, or
Acute Cystitis
See also:
Urinary
Tract Infection
What is it?
A bladder infection is an inflammation of the
urinary bladder. The inner lining of the bladder
becomes inflamed, and the urine becomes full of
bacteria.
Who gets it?
Bladder infections are more common among women
than men because of their shorter urethra, making
it easer for bacteria from the anus or genital
area to reach the bladder. Bladder infections
often occur in young women who have just become
sexually active and have sexual intercourse often.
In addition, bladder infections can occur anytime
the flow of urine is blocked or emptying of the
bladder is incomplete due to an enlarged prostate
in men or pregnancy in women.
What causes it?
Bacteria that have traveled up the urethra and
into the bladder usually cause bladder infections.
The most common bacteria associated with bladder
infections in women include Escherichia coli
(about eighty percent of cases), Staphylococcus
saprophyticus , Klebsiella, Enterobacter , and
Proteus species. Risk factors include sexual
intercourse, use of a diaphragm for birth control,
an abnormally short urethra, diabetes or chronic
dehydration, the absence of a specific enzyme in
vaginal secretions, inadequate personal hygiene
and pregnancy.
In males, bladder infections are often the
result of kidney complications or prostate
infections. Bladder infections in men are most
likely to be caused by E. coli or another
gram-negative bacterium.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of a bladder infection in both men and
women include painful urination, a sudden strong
desire to urinate, an increase in the frequency of
urination, cloudy urine that spells bad, and blood
in the urine. Large quantities of blood in the
urine may be caused by an acute bladder infection.
Many patients also experience fever, pain in the
lower back, nausea and vomiting and shaking
chills.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose a bladder infection, the doctor
will examine the patient and may test both the
blood and urine. A laboratory test of the urine
will reveal if bacteria is present, which usually
indicates infection. The doctor may also examine
the patient’s abdomen and lower back to check for
bladder or kidney enlargements.
Female patients may also require a pelvic
examination. Female patients with a reoccurring
infection may also be given an ultrasound test of
the kidneys and bladder to check for structural
abnormalities.
What is the treatment?
Bladder infections are usually easily treated
with antibiotics to kill the bacteria and prevent
the spread of infection to the kidneys. Treatment
for women is usually short-term; most patients
respond within three days. Men do not respond as
well to short-term treatment and may require seven
to ten days of oral antibiotics. The doctor may
also prescribe Pyridium, a medicine that helps
reduce the pain and spasm of the bladder during
the first couple of days.
Over fifty percent of older men with a bladder
infection also suffer from infection of the
prostate gland, so the doctor will treat that with
antibiotics as well.
A minority of women with complicated bladder
infections may require surgical treatment to
prevent recurrent infections. Surgery is also used
to treat reflux problems (movement of the urine
backwards) or other anatomical abnormalities in
males.
The patient may be asked to provide another
sample of urine to be tested after all antibiotics
have been take to make sure the infection is gone.
Prompt treatment of a bladder infection with
antibiotics usually controls the infection and
relieves the symptoms in a day or two.
Self-care tips
To prevent another bladder infection, the
female patient should drink large amounts of
fluid, urinate frequently and empty the bladder
each time, particularly after intercourse, and
properly clean the area around the urethra. Female
patients should also wipe from front to back after
a bowel movement and wash the genital area after
each bath or shower.
In males, the primary preventive measure is
prompt treatment of prostate infections, drinking
large amounts of fluid and frequently emptying the
bladder. Men, especially if uncircumcised, should
always wash the penis (gently pulling back the
foreskin) during bathing.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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