Bladder infection is known by its medical term as cystitis. It is one of the most common diseases affecting about six million women each day and ranks second as the common reason for patient visits. Also known as urinary tract infection, this occurs whenever E.coli bacteria are present in the urinary tract passing through the urethra. Women are most likely to have the disease than men because of the structure of their urinary system and the proximity of the rectum to the urethra.
Symptoms of bladder infection may range from mild to severe and some even disappear without need of a treatment. Most of the time, symptoms of bladder infection may be similar to having kidney problems.
Primarily though, symptoms of bladder infection usually relate to the urinary function. Nevertheless, here is a closer look at the different symptoms of bladder infection among women.
- Frequent urination: One of the symptoms of bladder infection is frequent urination and usually in smaller amounts. Symptoms of bladder infection such as this one makes sleeping unpleasant. Most of the time, there is a feeling of a sudden and abrupt urge to urinate.
- Painful urination: Among the symptoms of bladder infection, painful urination is experienced at the severe stage. The pain is brought by an inflamed bladder caused by the E.coli bacteria.
- Blood in the urine: Presence of blood in the urine is one of the early symptoms of bladder infection. Whenever a person has bladder infction, the urinary tract is surrounded by bacteria. These bacteria damage the urinary system making it infected or inflamed.
- Cloudy urine: Cloudy urine alone does not mean that a person has symptoms of bladder infection. Sometimes, drinking milk in large quantities or eating fatty foods can cause for the urine to be cloudy. However, if such is coupled with a burning pain while urinating, then, that already becomes one of the symptoms of bladder infection. This is caused by the presence of the bacteria in the urine.
- Foul smelling urine: Considered as one of the major symptoms of bladder infection, urine with unpleasant smell is attributed to the bacteria that cause the infection in the urinary system. This may be treated by drinking at least twelve glasses of water everyday.
Symptoms of bladder infection may not be the same for all women. However, if somebody experiences any of the two symptoms listed above, then it is best to have your urine checked for presence of E. coli bacteria. If not treated on time, the bacteria might spread even to the kidneys. When that happens, it will be more dangerous and difficult to cure.
There are a number of available treatments for bladder infection. However, the infection in the urinary tract is best treated with antibiotics. In turn, these antibiotics will either stop the spread of the bacteria or decrease its growth.
Other than antibiotics, there are also home remedies. Eating lots of blueberries and pineapples and drinking cranberry juice and water will lower your chances of getting bladder infection.
