What is a bladder infection?

Bladder infections have a way of getting your attention. You go to the bathroom countless times, but you still feel like you have to go one more time. Once you're in, instead of just mindlessly going about your business, you feel a burning or stinging sensation every time you pee.

When you get a bladder infection, it can lead to cystitis, which is when your bladder becomes swollen and inflamed. That's what causes the symptoms. A bladder infection is the most common urinary tract infection (UTI).

Here are the parts of your urethra and what they do:

Your kidneys remove waste from your blood and make urine.

Your ureters are thin tubes that carry urine from each kidney to your bladder.

Your bladder stores urine.

The urethra carries urine from your bladder to the outside of the body.

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Women are more likely to get bladder infections than men. Usually, the infections are more annoying than serious ones and can be treated with antibiotics. Sometimes bladder infections travel along the ureters to the kidneys and cause an infection there. That's why it's important to treat these infections right away.

Causes

The culprit is bacteria, usually E. coli. These bacteria live on your skin and in your intestines, and most of the time, they're not a problem. Everyone has them. But if they get into the urethra, they can end up in the bladder and cause an infection.

Women are more likely to get bladder infections than men for a number of reasons.

▸ Women have shorter urethras than men and are closer to the vagina and anus, where bacteria live. Sexual intercourse, wiping from back to front after using the bathroom, inserting tampons, and using diaphragms for birth control are a few ways bacteria can get into the vagina.

▸ During pregnancy, the baby puts pressure on the bladder, which prevents it from emptying completely, providing a place for bacteria to grow.

▸ After menopause, women have less estrogen in their bodies. This causes the lining of the urethra to thin and can change the balance of bacteria in the vagina, making infection more likely.

▸ Prostatitis in men is usually caused by an infection of the prostate gland. But any obstruction, such as bladder stones or an enlarged prostate, can prevent the bladder from emptying completely and cause an infection.

What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

A urinary tract infection can cause inflammation of the lining of the urinary tract. Inflammation can cause problems such as:

▸ Pain in the waist, abdomen, pelvic area, or lower back.

▸ Pressure in the lower pelvis.

▸ Cloudy, foul-smelling urine.

▸ Urinary incontinence.

▸ Frequent urination.

▸ Urge incontinence.

▸ Pain when urinating (dysuria).

Blood in the urine (hematuria).

Other UTI-related symptoms may include:

▸ Penile pain.

▸ Feeling extremely tired (fatigue).

▸ Fever.

▸ Chills.

▸ Nausea and vomiting.

▸ Mental changes or confusion.

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The following lifestyle changes can help prevent UTIs:

Practice good hygiene

▸ Practicing good hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent UTIs. This is especially important if you have a vagina, as your urethra is much shorter and it’s easier for E. coli to get back into your body from your rectum. Always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement to avoid this.

▸ It’s also a good idea to change your menstrual products, including sanitary pads and tampons, regularly during your menstrual cycle. You should also avoid using any deodorant on your vagina.

▸ Drink more fluids

Drinking plenty of fluids every day — especially water — can help flush bacteria from your urinary tract. Healthcare providers recommend drinking six to eight glasses of water a day.

▸ Change your urination habits

Urination can play an important role in flushing bacteria from your body. Your urine is a waste product, and every time you empty your bladder, you help flush waste from your body. Frequent urination can reduce your risk of infection, especially if you get frequent UTIs.

▸ You should also try to urinate right before and after sex. Sexual intercourse can introduce bacteria into your urethra, and urinating before and after sex can help flush it out. If you are unable to urinate, wash the area with warm water.

▸ Switch birth control

Some people are at an increased risk of UTIs if they use a diaphragm for birth control. Talk to your healthcare provider about other birth control options.