What to Know About Bladder Infections
Bladder infections are the most common type of urinary tract infection (UTI). They can develop when bacteria enter the urethra and travel into the bladder, and can be very serious if not treated quickly and effectively.
Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Cleveland lists some effective at-home and medical remedies for bladder infections.
What they are: As we said earlier, bladder infections develop when harmful bacteria enter the urethra and travel into the bladder. Once bacteria go into the urethra, they can attach to the walls of the bladder and multiply quickly, thus causing an infection and painful symptoms.
How to know if you have one: Bladder infections emit common symptoms, such as the sudden urge to urinate, pain while urinating and abdominal cramping. If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to visit a doctor before diagnosing yourself with a bladder infection even if you plan to use home remedies for the infection first.
The best at-home remedy: Drink more water. Water helps flush out bacteria in your bladder, which will help get rid of the infection faster. It also dilutes your urine, which will make urinating less painful if you have a bladder infection.
Another great, tried-and-true remedy: Unsweetened cranberry juice. Cranberry has been used as a natural treatment for preventing bladder infections for generations. Cranberries work by preventing harmful bacteria from entering the urinary tract, thus lowering the risk of infection.
Something else that can help: Don’t hold your urine. Although it’s inconvenient, frequently urinating helps prevent bacteria buildup in your urinary tract.
What to do next: If none of these things work, call your doctor or primary care physician if your symptoms last longer than two days. You’ll likely need antibiotics to treat your bladder infection.
Doctor recommendations: If you have been prescribed antibiotics, it’s important to take your medication for the full course, even if you feel better before it’s done. Taking the full dose will make sure all the harmful bacteria are out of your system.
Action steps to take for the long run: Try changing up your wardrobe a bit if you deal with frequent bladder infections. Bacteria thrive in warm and moist environments, so wear cotton underwear and loose pants or skirts to promote air circulation and reduce bacterial growth.
We hope you’ve found this helpful! If you do find yourself with a bladder infection or have any other questions, don’t hesitate to visit us at AFC Urgent Care Cleveland.