There are over 8 million doctor visits every year for bladder infections.
If you suspect that you have one, you may be wondering how to treat a bladder infection. You may also wonder if you can treat a bladder infection at home.
As you’ll see, there are some things you can do at home to treat bladder infections. However, we recommend seeing a doctor if you suspect you have one because only a medical professional can accurately diagnose you.
Keep reading to find out more about bladder infections.
What is a Bladder Infection?
A bladder infection occurs when bacteria gets into your urinary tract. It’s also known as a urinary tract infection (UTI). This can, therefore, include any part of the urinary tract, including your urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys.
Most often, a bladder infection is limited to the lower parts of your urinary tract, the bladder, and the urethra.
Bladder Infection Symptoms
Bladder infections have the following symptoms:
- Frequent trips to the bathroom
- Foul-smelling urine
- Bloody or cloudy urine
- Uncomfortable or burning feeling while urinating
- Only urinating in small amounts
If these symptoms aren’t addressed quickly, the infection could get worse and spread to the kidneys. Kidney infections are far more serious conditions, which is why it’s best to treat bladder infections as quickly as possible.
Bladder Infection Diagnosis
In some cases, your symptoms alone may be enough for your doctor to diagnose you with a bladder infection. Men, children, people with kidney damage, and women who have multiple bladder infections in a year may need more testing.
A urinalysis is used to see if there are bacteria or blood present in the urine which indicate a bladder infection. There are some other tests your doctor may want to do depending on your situation.
How to Treat a Bladder Infection
The best way to quickly treat a bladder infection is with an antibiotic prescription. This can only be given to you by a doctor, and it’s the fastest way to ensure the infection is treated fast enough so that it doesn’t spread to your kidneys.
There are some things you can do at home to help yourself feel better quickly:
- Refrain from sexual activities
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages
- Avoid eating spicy foods
- Drink cranberry juice
- Take vitamin C supplements
Be sure to make most of these part of your regular routine to help prevent bladder infections in the future.
Need Medical Treatment for Your Bladder Infection?
Now you know how to treat a bladder infection. You can also see that it’s best to seek medical help if you suspect you have one.
If you think you may have a bladder infection, contact us today at Coastal Urgent Care of Bossier & Haughton to schedule an appointment, or come right in. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you’re welcome to walk in whenever you need us.
We recommend printing out and filling in forms before you come in for your first visit so we can see you as quickly as possible.