Bladder infection
BLADDER INFECTION TREATMENT
Bladder infections are bacterial infections of the bladder. Generally, it is an uncomplicated infection caused by E. coli 95% of the time. It is more common in women than in men. It is estimated that more than 50% will experience a bladder infection at least once in their lifetime.
The term "uncomplicated" describes infections that occur in healthy women as opposed to "complicated" bladder infections that happen to people with other conditions, such as catheters, urinary stents, diabetes, pregnancy, or other causes.
Although an uncomplicated bladder infection is often easily treated with a short course of antibiotics, it can be considerably uncomfortable for the person with it.
Causes
Bladder infections often occur when bacteria enter the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, and then move into the bladder.
Once in the bladder, the bacteria can stick to the lining of the bladder, causing it to become inflamed, a condition known as cystitis. The bacteria can also move from the bladder into the kidneys, resulting in a kidney infection, so one must immediately get treatment for bladder infection.
Some factors can increase the risk of getting a bladder infection, including:
- frequent sexual intercourse
- having sexual intercourse with a new partner
- using a diaphragm and a spermicide for?birth control
- not urinating immediately after sexual intercourse
- having diabetes
- having a bladder or kidney infection within the past 12 months
- changes in the urinary system
Symptoms
The symptoms of a bladder infection can include the following:
- pain or burning when urinating
- urgent and frequent urination of small quantities of urine
- discomfort in the lower abdomen
- offensive-smelling urine
- cloudy urine
- blood in the urine
Bladder infection is usually diagnosed after discussing the symptoms a person is experiencing and doing a urinalysis. This is a urine test that looks for the presence of white blood cells in the urine and signs of inflammation which indicates an infection.
If an infection is suspected, the doctor may recommend a urine culture. A urine culture is a laboratory test used to identify the different bacteria that may be present in a urine sample.
Urine cultures are often recommended if the person:
- experiences symptoms that are not typical of a bladder infection
- gets frequent bladder infections
- has “resistant” bladder infections that do not improve with antibiotics
- does not begin to feel better within 24-48 hours after starting antibiotics
- is pregnant
Bladder Infection Treatment In Houston
People with uncomplicated bladder infections are usually treated with a short course of antibiotics.
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment
Treatment options vary, but the following are the most common prescriptions for uncomplicated Bladder infection:
- trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) – 160-800 milligrams (mg) twice daily for three days
- nitrofurantoin monohydrate – 100 mg twice daily for 5 – 7 days
- Fosfomycin trometamol – 3 grams (g) in a single dose
A 3-day course is as efficient as a 7-day treatment, and people experience fewer side effects. Side effects usually stem from the overgrowth of yeast, which can cause a rash and yeast vaginitis. The 3-day course is also more cost-efficient than the 7-day regime.
Single-dose treatment is also available but generally results in lower cure rates and more frequent recurrence.
Most people find that their symptoms improve the day after the treatment begins. Even if someone feels better, they must take the full course of antibiotics to eliminate the infection. If they do not finish the full dose, the infection may return, and it can be harder to treat the second time.
People with more complicated bladder infections usually need to take antibiotics for 7-14 days. Complicated infections occur during pregnancy or in people with diabetes or mild kidney infection. It is also recommended that men with acute urinary infections take antibiotics for 7-14 days.
Less commonly, fluoroquinolones and beta-lactam antibiotics treat more invasive infections. These antibiotics are effective, but they are not recommended for initial treatment because of concerns about bacterial resistance.
Prevention
According to health care Houston, given the worrying problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, doctors try to encourage women who experience frequent bladder infections to use prevention strategies when possible. These strategies may include:
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Changing their method of birth control: Bladder infections appear to be more common in women who use spermicides and a diaphragm.
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Staying hydrated and urinating directly after sexual intercourse: This may help to wash out any bacteria that enter the bladder.
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Topically applying estradiol cream if postmenopausal: Postmenopausal women may benefit from using vaginal?estrogen?to reduce risk of infection.
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Using a preventive antibiotic: This may be recommended if someone repeatedly develops bladder infections and has not responded to other preventive measures.
People can also help prevent bladder infections by including unsweetened cranberry juice, D-mannose, apple cider vinegar, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), and probiotics in their diets. Of these remedies, cranberry products and D-mannose appear to be the most popular.
Cranberry juice
Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice is one way to help prevent frequent bladder infections. It contains a compound that prevents bacteria from sticking to the walls of the urethra and bladder, reducing the risk of infection./div>
The recommended dose is three glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice daily until the infection subsides.
D-mannose
D-mannose is a naturally occurring sugar found in certain fruits, such as cranberries and blueberries. A new study suggests that D-mannose is as effective as antibiotics in preventing recurrent UTIs in women.
The sugar attaches to any?E. coli?bacteria present and prevents them from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract or bladder. The bacteria are then flushed out on urination.
The sugar attaches to any E. coli bacteria present and prevents them from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract or bladder. The bacteria are then flushed out on urination.
D-mannose is available in powder or capsule form. The recommended dose is 500 mg, taken every 2 hours for five days. People who experience recurrent bladder infections could take a lower daily dose of D-mannose as a preventive measure.
Outlook
Uncomplicated bladder infections are mainly treated with a short course of antibiotics. This treatment is highly effective and inexpensive; most people tolerate it well. Typically, symptoms improve after 48 hours and are often resolved within 72 hours./div>
For people whose infection has spread to the kidneys, antibiotics are usually administered for 10-14 days. After this time, most infections get better without any further complications.
Next steps
If you need further information and obtain a second opinion please download the app "Obur Health PA" from the App Store or call
832-730-4479