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.

Bladder infections are more common among women than men because of their shorter urethra, making it easer for bacteria from the anus or genital area to reach the bladder. Bladder infections often occur in young women who have just become sexually active and have sexual intercourse often. In addition, bladder infections can occur anytime the flow of urine is blocked or emptying of the bladder is incomplete due to an enlarged prostate in men or pregnancy in women.

The urethra is a small tube connecting the bladder with the outside of the body. A muscle called the urinary sphincter, located at the junction of the bladder and the urethra, must relax at the same time the bladder contracts to expel urine.Any part of this system can become infected. As a rule, the farther up in the urinary tract the infection is located, the more serious it is.

Bladder Infection Treatment

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.

Mild bladder infections can clear up quickly in response to simple home remedies, such as drinking plenty of fluid. But if you experience no relief within 24 hours, you should consult a physician for more aggressive treatment. Delay in clearing your body of the infection can lead to more serious problems. A common home treatment is Pyridium. This is merely an anesthetic agent for the urinary tract and won't actually treat the infection.

Three-day regimens of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, norfloxacin (Noroxin) and other fluoroquinolones also work and the incidence of side effects is as low as with single-dose treatment. Data on this duration of treatment is not sufficient to permit definite recommendations, but three-day regimens appear promising. As with single-dose therapy, candidates for three-day therapy must be carefully chosen to exclude those with a high probability of an upper tract infection.

Symptoms of bladder infections include a burning sensation when urinating. This is the most common symptom of having bladder infection. Any pain or difficulty in urination may also be due to a bladder infection. Frequent urge to urinate or the urine has a strong, foul odor is another sign. Bladder spasms and a fever or chills are other clues that one has a bladder infection. The most common treatment for a bladder infection would be taking an antibiotic.

Herbs can be used to fight infection, soothe the inflamed urinary tract, and encourage urination (which flushes bacteria out of the system). Uva ursi (also known as bearberry and upland cranberry) can be effective in clearing infections from the urinary tract and triggering urination. Its leaves are often taken as a tincture or tea. Because it can be toxic, only small doses of this herb should be used. Follow the directions from your doctor or on the product's label.