How to Relieve Bladder Pain

Bladder pain can be caused by anything from an irritated urethra to bladder or vaginal cancer, so it's important to see a doctor to determine the cause of bladder pain. Often, it's a sign of a bladder or urinary tract infection. These infections are common, and occur more often in women than in men. There are over-the-counter bladder health products on the market, but they may or may not be effective. There are several preventative measures to take that can help prevent pain and future infections.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor's Diagnosis
• Antibiotics
• Cotton Underwear
• Water
• Cranberry Juice
• Foods and Beverages low in acid, potassium, alcohol and caffeine
• White, Unscented Toilet Tissue
• D-mannose

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Instructions

• 1

  Make an appointment with your doctor and request a urinalysis, or urine test. During this test you will catch a few ounces of urine in a clean container and a lab will analyze it. Your doctor will provide an initial diagnosis.

• 2

  Take any medication recommended by your doctor. Antibiotics are typically prescribed for bladder infections. Be sure to take the complete prescription so that the bacteria don't rebound and build up again. Newest studies suggest a three- to five-day regimen is best. The pain should be completely gone in 10 days.

• 3

  Drink eight to 12 full glasses of water each day.

• 4

  Urinate completely at the first urge. Healthy people urinate six or seven times each day, but a person suffering from interstitial cystitis, a recurring bladder pain, can feel the urge from 12 to 60 times a day and are up often at night.

• 5

  Drink 2 full glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice daily.

• 6

  Small changes in your diet may help alleviate or prevent bladder pain. Avoiding highly acidic foods, and foods high in potassium, as well as caffeine and alcohol, may help. Ask your doctor about the "IC-Smart Diet," designed for people with interstitial cystitis.

• 7

  Avoid tight synthetic underwear. Wear cotton briefs. Take daily showers instead of baths. After urination, avoid cleansing products. Use only white, unscented toilet paper. Blot instead of rub. Avoid feminine sprays.

• 8

  Consider taking the natural bladder infection treatment D-mannose. It has a high success rate of curing urinary tract infection within 48 hours and is readily available in health food stores and online.