Common Treatment for Bladder Infection

A bladder infection falls under a broader group of infections called urinary tract infections (UTIs). These infections affect the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. However, according to the Mayo Clinic, most urinary tract infections target the lower urinary tract, which consists of the urethra and bladder. Bladder infections usually occur when bacteria enter the bladder and begin to multiply.

Testing

• Before determining what type of treatment to recommend for a bladder infection, a doctor performs a series of test to determine the type and location of the infection. The doctor will first ask you to wipe your genital area with a sterile wipe to remove any bacteria that could contaminate your test results. You will then be asked to urinate in a sterile cup. The test will be sent to a lab where medical technologists search the sample for traces of bacteria, such as escherichia coli (E. Coli.). Depending on the type of bacteria found in the urine sample, the doctor will prescribe a specific type of antibiotic.

Antibiotic Types

• A wide range of antibiotics can be used to treat bladder infections. Antibiotics work by affecting the bacteria cells' ability to reproduce. Some antibiotics work by making bacterial cells unable to produce a cell wall around the cell; others work by affecting the cells' ability to turn glucose into energy. Common types of antibiotics for the treatment of bladder infections include levofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, ciprofloxacin, and one of the most commonly used antibiotics, amoxicillin. It is important to remember that even if you no longer feel the symptoms of a bladder infection, you need to finish the entire prescription of antibiotics. Not finishing your antibiotic regimen can result in the bacteria becoming resistant to future uses of the same drug.

Water

• Drinking plenty of water is another way to treat a bladder infection. The bladder's natural cleansing mechanism is urination. Each time you urinate, your bladder flushes out harmful bacteria that may be contributing to your bladder infection. As you drink more water, you will also need to urinate more. Water also helps transport immune system cells to the infected area.

Cranberry Juice

• Drinking cranberry juice can also help treat a bacterial infection. Like water, cranberry juice increases the production of urine. Cranberry juice also helps produce hippuric acid. The greater levels of hippuric acid increase the overall acidity of your urine. Bacteria have a hard time clinging to the surfaces of the bladder when acidity levels get too high. This makes it more difficult for the bacteria to colonize and multiply enough to continue the infection.