Bladder infection is caused by an undesired bacteria growth in the bladder. It is a kind of urinary tract infection (UTI). If you are suffering from bladder infections, treatment may involve taking antibiotics. However, like many other diseases, you can treat it in other ways too that does not include taking any medicines. In most of the cases of a bladder infection, it is acute (short-term) in nature. However, there are chronic (long-term) scenarios of the disease too. Early treatment is, therefore, important for inhibiting the infection.
Though women are at a higher risk of contracting bladder infections, bladder infections also affect men. The UTI includes a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract, including the bladder, kidneys, and the urethra. Kidney infections are rarer as well as severe to treat. While bladder infections mostly affect middle-aged and older people, younger age groups can also experience them. The treatment of the infection depends on the severity of the case. There are several non-medicine remedies available for eliminating bladder infection and easing its symptoms. However, before discussing them, let us look into the symptoms of bladder infections.
Symptoms of bladder infection
Apart from feeling uneasy while urinating, some of the most common symptoms of bladder infections, treatment for which are a must, are slated in the following list:
– Burning or pain while urinating
– Blood-colored urine
– Increase in the frequency of urination
– Foul-smelling urine
– Cramping or pain in the lower abdomen or lower back
Infection affecting the kidney is accompanied by severe and persistent mid-back pain. Moreover, a kidney infection can cause many other symptoms that include but are not limited to chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting. Kidney infections are more severe than bladder infections and hence, need to be addressed as soon as possible. For this reason, treatment of kidney infections is more elaborate than bladder infections treatment.
Treatment for bladder infections
In most common scenarios of bladder infections, treatment consists of a course of antibiotics. However, some of the cures for bladder infections might require no prescription and can be treated right at home. Together with the treatment or prescription of your doctor, these home remedies can assist in quick recovery from an uncomfortable condition. Before using any of these treatments for bladder infections, it is advised to consult a physician. To get rid of bladder infections, treatment through these five effective home tips are often found very useful:
Add vitamin C to your diet
Adding vitamin C to your diet is a great idea to treat bladder infections. Doing so makes the urine much more acidic than the usual pH value of urine. It assists in the restraining of bacterial growth in the urinary tract. The remedy is more effective for people with an active UTI.
Drink plenty of water
Whether you are having a UTI or specifically a bladder infection, you must drink as much water as you can. Drinking additional water increases the chances of the bacteria causing the bladder infection or UTI to be flushed out from the body via urine. The amount of water that needs to be sipped daily depends on your body weight. You need to take at least half of your body weight (in pounds) amount in ounces in a day. For instance, a person weighing 160 pounds needs to take at least 80 ounces of water.
Go for herbal remedies
There are several herbal remedies available for treating bladder infections. For instance, bearberry leaf and goldenseal are great herbal options to use as a potential bladder infections treatment. However, you need to be well aware of the usage directions and side effects of these herbs before using them.
Remove bladder irritants from your diet
For acute bladder infections, treatment by cutting back bladder irritants from your diet is also effective. Having a high amount of bladder irritants can slow down the recovery process and hence, should be avoided. Common bladder irritants include alcohol, artificial sweeteners, caffeine, carbonated drinks, and spicy food. You can replace these food items with high-fiber carbohydrates content.
Use heating pads
Bladder infections and UTIs result in inflammation and irritation that can cause burning, pain, and pressure around the pubic area. You can deal with it by using a heating pad. Applying the heating pad with a low-heat setting in the pubic area can have a soothing effect. Be careful while doing so. Do not apply the heating pad directly to the affected area and limit the use of the heating pad to a maximum of 15 minutes.
Medical treatment for bladder infections can be enhanced by adopting healthier habits and diet. The need for medical treatment depends on the severity of bladder infections. You can treat less severe bladder infections with diet control and healthy habits without the need of any prescription.
