Bladder Infection – Care at Nyle Hospital

Bladder infection leads to cystitis, a common condition characterised by the inflammation of urinary bladder. Women are more targeted for cystitis because a woman's urethra gets infected easily by the bacteria present in the anus. Upon treating the infection at the right time, serious effects can be avoided. Sometimes, it may occur again and again in few women. If so, it may affect the kidneys leading to permanent damage. Hence, treating of infection is not just enough, preventive steps must also be undertaken to avoid reoccurrence.

Diagnosis of bladder infections is difficult in elderly woman because the symptoms that occur are not certain and are confused with the effects of ageing. Older woman who suddenly loses control over urination or behave confused or lethargic should consult physician for examination of bladder infection.

Causes of Bladder Infections

Most cases of bladder infections happen due to E. coli bacterial strains normally living in the gut. Sometimes, woman encounters infection after sex. Intercourse via vagina facilitates easy passage of bacteria from urethra to bladder. Moreover, usage of condoms and spermicides increase the possibility of urinary infection. Woman using diaphragm as the first means of birth control is prone to get infected as the device creates a pressure on the bladder preventing it from passing the urine fully. The stagnant urine serves as a room for bacterial infection. That is why, woman during 2nd and 3rd trimester encounter frequent bladder infection due to compression of bladder caused by baby’s growth.

Simple Bladder Infection

A mild bladder infection leads to inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the urethra and bladder. This produces symptoms all of a sudden and can easily be predicted. Most of the women who were subjected to bladder infection earlier can identify the reoccurred symptoms more easily and must take necessary precautions without ignoring. Some of the common symptoms of urinary infection include:

Sudden urge to urinate too often than the usual, but only little amount of urine is passed every time

Burning sensation or pain during urination

Disturbed sleep due to urinating urge at night

Lower abdominal pain

Passage of blood in urine

Cloudy urine having an string and unpleasant odour

Urinating in droplets

Complicated Bladder Infection

Women affected with complicated bladder infections commonly experience same symptoms that occur in the case of simple infections. In addition, they may have other symptoms including chills, fever, nausea and vomiting, back pain, flank pain or confusion upon spreading of bacteria from urinary bladder to kidneys or blood stream. The course of treatment is extended for longer duration in case of complicated bladder. Additional testing may be required to examine the structure and function of urinary system. Regular hospital visits is essential for women subjected to complicated infection, especially during pregnancy.