How To Identify, Prevent, And Treat A Bladder Infection

How To Identify, Prevent, And Treat A Bladder Infection

The bladder infection is the most common type of urinary tract infection. Here’s how to properly identify, prevent, and cure it.

A bladder infection is one of the three types of urinary tract infection (UTI) commonly known as cystitis. Cystitis happens once the contamination spreads from the urethra to the bladder.

If you’ve experienced bladder infections, then you may have some idea and understanding about the bladder infection symptoms in case it ever comes back. After all, a UTI is an unpleasant experience and is not easy to forget.

However, if you’re encountering one for the first time, it may be hard to know what your symptoms mean.

How To Identify A Bladder Infection

Below are six symptoms that will help identify whether you are suffering from UTI:

1. A Painful Burning Sensation While Urinating

When you’re urinating, a strong burning sensation is one of the most common indications of having a bladder infection.

It mostly happens when E. coli bacteria enter your urethra and start reproducing, causing infection.

2. Frequent Urge To Urinate

Another common sign of bladder infection or UTI is experiencing an urgent need to go to the bathroom – even if you’ve just gone.

During your bathroom trips, you may notice that there is hardly any urine while peeing.

3. Abdominal Pain

If you feel pain, pressure, or tenderness in your abdomen and pubic area, then it is a sign that you are suffering from a bladder infection.

And if the pain travels to your lower back, it could be an implication that the infection has reached your kidneys.

4. Cloudy, Or Bloody Urine

Cloudy-colored urine is something that you see very often if you are suffering from urinary tract infections.

And if you detect blood in your urine while peeing, it may indicate that red blood cells are leaking from your kidneys, and both conditions are symptoms of a UTI or bladder infection.

5. Strong Smelling Urine

When bacteria start reproducing themselves, causing infection, they produce a strong ammonia smell or sweet or off-smelling urine.

This unpleasant smell during urination is an early sign that you’re developing a UTI.

6. Fever

You can catch a fever due to any reason but suppose you have a fever also experiencing the above symptoms; then, it’s time for you to visit a doctor.

Urinary tract infection gets serious with time as the infection continues to grow and reaches the kidney. And catching fever could be an indication that infection is reaching or has reached the kidneys.

If you see any or a combination of symptoms listed above, call your doctor immediately.

Foods To Consume During UTI

Here are the healthiest foods to consume if you suffer from a urinary tract infection:

1. Berries

Berries are considered the most effective fruit to consume if you want to treat UTIs. On the other hand, doctors still have mixed opinions regarding its effectiveness.

It is believed that berries like blueberries and raspberries can help you fight off a UTI because of its special ingredient, proanthocyanidin, which has been effective against bacteria causing infection.

2. Probiotic-Rich Foods

Include Greek yogurt, pickles, and sauerkraut in your diet as they contain good bacteria that can help combat infection.

3. High-Fiber Foods

Eating high-fiber foods — such as bananas, beans, lentils, nuts, oats, and other whole grains — is also helpful in removing harmful bacteria from your body.

They also stimulate regular bowel movements, which is good for relieving the bladder’s pressure.

4. Salmon

Consuming fish can be a good idea since it contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for reducing inflammation caused by a UTI.

In case you don’t eat fish, there are fish oil supplements available in the market but consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.

Foods To Avoid During UTI

Here are the top 4 foods to avoid during UTI:

1. Take A Break from Coffee

I am sure it must be hard for you, but if you want to treat and get relief from pain and uneasiness, you have to stop drinking coffee because caffeine is bad for your bladder and can worsen the infection.

Instead of coffee, try non-caffeinated herbal tea instead until your UTI is cured.

2. Spicy Foods

You also need to stop eating spicy foods since they can irritate the bladder. Instead, eat bland food until UTI is cured like the BRAT diet.

3. Citrus

Even though these food or fruits are rich in essential vitamin C, highly acidic fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits can worsen your bladder infection.

4. No Alcohol

It’s important to stay hydrated when you have a UTI but stay away from alcohol because beer, wine, and liquor can irritate your bladder. So it is better not to consume alcohol when you are trying to recover from infection.

Now you have a clear idea of which food and drinks to consume and avoid to treat UTIs quickly. If you feel similar symptoms to UTI, visit your doctors as soon as possible.

Treating Your Bladder Infection

The doctor will begin with performing physical tests and talk to you about your symptoms which will help to figure out whether you have one. Or, he will perform a urine test to check for bacteria or blood in your pee sample.

However, in some particular cases, the doctor may suggest some advanced tests to know if you have UTI.

If you get a bladder infection, which is the most common urinary tract infection, is easy to treat and recover from.

Bladder infections are often treated with antibiotics, but you can also try to treat UTIs with natural or herbal medicines. Several plant-based medicines are available, which are equally effective and antibiotic-free.

You can also try to prevent cystitis and UTIs with plant-based supplements that also provide you relief from infections. This leads to reduced symptoms, stronger urological immunity, lasting comfort, wellness, and better health.

Remember, if you have any of the above symptoms, you should visit your doctor immediately. The sooner you begin the treatment for your bladder infection, the sooner you’ll get relief.

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