Bladder Infection Treatment Specialist Q&A

A bladder infection is an infection of the bladder, the organ that stores urine until it can be excreted from the body. They are very common, and in most cases do not cause significant damage or harm. However, in certain situations, bladder infections can be painful and lead to serious complications, such as kidney infections or sepsis. Women are more likely than men to have bladder infections due to their anatomy; females have shorter urethras, so the bacteria have a shorter distance to travel, resulting in a higher risk of a bladder infection. It is estimated that every year anywhere between 20 and 50 million people in the United States have a bladder infection. Symptoms of a bladder infection can include pain when urinating, frequent urination, urine with a strong, foul odor, and blood in the urine. Bladder infections are typically treated with antibiotics and should clear up within a few days or weeks when taking the medication as prescribed. There are many different types of bacteria that can cause a bladder infection, but one of the most common types of bacteria is Group A Streptococcus (GAS).

The first signs of a bladder infection can vary from person to person, but typically include:

• A Painful Burning Sensation — A strong burning sensation when urinating is one of the most common signs of bladder infection; this occurs when bacteria, most often E. coli, get into the urethra.

• Frequent Need to Urinate — Many people with bladder infections experience the need to go to the bathroom often, even if they just went; these frequent urges to empty the bladder typically do not produce much urine.

• Urgency When Needing to Urinate — A prominent sign of a bladder infection is rushing to the bathroom often, with an urgent need to urinate right away. This typically is accompanied by painful urination.

• Abdominal Pain — Pressure, pain, or tenderness in the abdomen and pubic area is common with a bladder infection, but if the pain moves to the lower back, it could be indicative of an infection that has spread to the kidneys.

• Cloudy or Bloody Urine — Cloudy urine is a common symptom of bladder infection; if there is blood in the urine, it may be a sign of leakage of red blood cells from the kidneys, which should be treated as soon as possible.

• Strong Smelling Urine — This is often the first indication that a bladder infection is underway. The foul-smelling odor is caused by the bacteria responsible for the infection; it may have a strong ammonia smell, but it may also have a sweet scent or just smell off.

• Fever — while less common, and certainly not an indicator on its own, people who have symptoms of a bladder infection in addition to fever, should visit your provider immediately.

Bladder infections and urinary tract infections are inherently similar, which is why the two terms are often confused. However, there is a major distinction between the two that, once understood, helps to differentiate between the different types of infections. Urinary tract infections can occur anywhere in the urinary tract, including the kidneys, urethra, and ureters, as well as the bladder. Conversely, bladder infections are an infection of the bladder and do not affect any other part of the urinary tract. In simplest terms, bladder infections are urinary tract infections, but not all urinary tract infections are bladder infections.

If a bladder infection is left untreated, it can lead to a kidney infection and other serious complications, such as permanent kidney damage and even sepsis. It is imperative to seek immediate medical attention if a bladder infection causes any of the following symptoms:

• Confusion or changes in mental status
• Fever of 101º Fahrenheit or higher
• Nausea and vomiting
• Night sweats
• Pain in the back, side, or abdomen
• Shaking and chills

Call us today to book an appointment with our bladder infection treatment specialist, or visit our clinic conveniently located at 844 North Washington Street, Suite 400, Twin Falls, ID 83301. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from Twin Falls ID, Kimberly ID, Filer ID, Hansen ID, Buhl ID, and Jerome ID, and BEYOND.