Bladder Infection Treatment – Know the Facts

A bladder infection is also called a urinary tract infection (UTI) by most medical people, so if you hear both names, don't get scared or confused. It's a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. Although urine contains a variety of fluids. salts, and waste products, it normally does not have bacteria in it. When bacteria get into the bladder and multiply in the urine, it causes a urinary tract infection.

When you have an infection in your lower urinary tract, the medically correct term for the condition is cystitis. If the infection is in your urethra, you've got urethritis. UTIs typically combine both cystitis and urethritis. But sometimes the infection is at the top of your urinary tract, closer to your kidneys. If you end up with this type of infection, it can easily spread to your kidneys, causing a condition called pyelonephritis. Pyelonephritis can cause more severe symptoms, including back pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Bladder infections can prove to be very serious if not treated promptly. Recurrences are very common in susceptible people and can lead to kidney infection, which is much more serious than a bladder infection and can cause perment kidney damage. So the importance of treating underlying problems leading to bladder infection is prominent. Also taking preventive steps to avoid reassurances is most important. In elderly people bladder infection is harder to diagnose because the symptoms are so much in the like of aging. Older people that begin getting more confused, lethargic, or incontinent should be checked by a doctor for bladder infection.

A mixture of 1/2 tsp baking soda in eight ounce glass of water can be very helpful on the first signs of urinary tract infection. The presence of baking soda in your system raises the acid-base balance of the acidic urine.

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.

A diet which consists of processed food like cheese, chocolate, dairy products should be avoided. You should also avoid spicy food, caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes which otherwise is also harmful. Avoid carbonated drinks like beer, soda or any other drink with fizz.

Wear cotton undergarments, which allow air circulation and discourage the warm, moist environment needed for bacteria growth Avoid to wear tight underwear to prevent undesirable bacteria growth.

Use the bathroom regularly. If you feel a little tingle go now, don't hold it. It really works. and when you go, don't push it out quick, just let it come. It helped me.