Bladder Infection Causes

Bladder infection, also known as cystitis is a urinary tract infection.  Bladder infection is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. Cystitis literally means inflammation of the bladder. Normally urine is sterile, but infection occurs when tiny bacteria from the digestive tract cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply. If this bacteria moves to the bladder and multiplies, you develop a bladder infection. When the bacteria get into the bladder and multiply in the urine, they cause urinary tract infection.  

Urinary tract infections are the second most common type of infection in the world. Cystitis is common amongst women, especially during their reproductive years. The reason why women are more susceptible to these infections is the short length of the urethra and the closeness of the urethra to the vagina and anus, where most bacteria are found. Although some bladder infection causes are virus or fungus, most of them are caused by bacteria. If left untreated, the infection might spread to the kidneys.

Symptoms of Bladder Infection

The most common signs of bladder infection include frequent and urgent need to urinate and a painful burning sensation upon urination. You may also experience lower back pain, lower abdominal pain, pelvic pressure, and blood in the urine. Often women experience pressure on the pelvic bone and men might feel heaviness in their rectum. The urine may look cloudy, milky, and reddish if blood is present in the urine. If you get fever, it means the infection has reached the kidneys and needs immediate attention. If the infection persists for long, you may even get fever or chills. The signs of bladder infection may disappear without treatment in some cases. Sometimes the infection may not produce any symptoms, especially in older people, and is discovered only when urine tests are performed. A person whose bladder is malfunctioning due to nerve damage may have cystitis that remains undetected until he/she gets fever or a kidney infection develops.

Unlike adults, children are more likely to have fever and no other symptom. A urinary tract infection should be suspected if children are not eating properly and have an unexplained fever that does not go away. The bladder infection natural cure is usually done with anti bacterial drugs. The type of drug and length of treatment depends on the severity of the infection diagnosed through the blood test. In case of pregnant women, consult a doctor immediately to avoid premature delivery and other complications.