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Constant Bladder Infections

Bladder infections (also known as urinary infections or cystitis) are inflammations of the urinary bladder, although the term is often used to refer to any inflammation of the urinary system. Bladder infections are common, but if you experience more than three or four a year, you may have a recurring bladder infection. Constant bladder infections can be painful and inconvenient, but there are several ways to treat and prevent them.

  1. The Bladder

    • Your bladder is a hollow, sac-like structure that sits inside your pelvis, connected to two ureters and a urethra. When your kidneys filter your circulatory system, they remove the urea, excess water and other waste products. Inside the kidneys, these items are mixed into urine. Small amounts of urine are deposited into the bladder every 10 to 15 seconds by the ureters, small thin tubes that lead from the kidney. Your bladder holds the urine until it is full and then it release the urines through the urethra out of the body.

    Causes

    • Sometimes bacteria that are normally found on the skin or in the intestinal tract spread into the urethra. When these bacteria are not killed by your body's immune system, a urinary infection develops. As the bacteria grows, multiplies and spreads, it reaches your bladder, irritating the lining and causing an infection. Constant bladder infections can be caused by holding your urine for too long or not wiping front to back after a bowel movement. If you have immunity problems or urinary disease, you can also be at risk for constant bladder infections.

    Symptoms

    • If you experience constant bladder infections, you will probably have the same symptoms each time. For many people, that means that you experience burning when you urinate. You may also experience burning, cramps or pain in your pelvis or lower back as the bacteria irritate your bladder or kidneys. Your urine may come out as dark or cloudy. Some people even experience dysuria, or bloody urine.

    Treatment

    • Bladder infections are often treated by prescription antibiotics, such as amoxicillin. However, if you experience constant bladder infections, antibiotics may not be the smartest choice. The reason is that prolonged use of antibiotics can promote the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Also, depending on your health care plan, constantly filling antibiotic prescriptions can be expensive. If you have constant bladder infections, you may want to consider other remedies, like over-the-counter medicines or cranberry juice therapy. Talk to your health care provider. He can offer you suggestions tailored to your specific condition.

    Prevention

    • Prevention is particularly important if you suffer from constant bladder infections. First, you should have your health care provider test you for underlying conditions, such as kidney disease or immunity issues. Once those are solved, your constant bladder infections will often stop. You should also practice good hygiene. Start with keeping your genitals clean by washing daily with mild soap and water. However, avoid soaps with dyes or fragrances added because they can irritate your urethra and promote bladder infections. Also, try to urinate after sex to flush out any bacteria that may have been passed into your urethra.

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