What is a bladder infection?
A bladder infection is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder. Usually a bladder infection is caused by bacteria from the colon. This often concerns the bacterium ‘Escherichia coli’, also known as E. Coli. Fungi can also cause a bladder infection cause. Because women have a shorter urethra, bladder infections are more common in women than in men.
There is also an increased risk of a bladder infection in pregnancy, diabetes, constipation, kidney stones or older age.
If you have been diagnosed with a bladder infection, you will usually be treated with antibiotics. It is then important to complete the prescribed course.
What are the complaints?
A bladder infection causes symptoms such as frequent urination, urinating in small amounts, painful urination and sometimes urinating blood. The urine often has a foul odor. Abdominal pain and nausea may also occur. If there is also pain in the back, it could be that the infection is higher up in the urinary tract, which could be a kidney infection.
What can you do?
- Drink enough water
- You can use Paracetamol (4 times a day 1000mg) for the pain. Do not delay going to the toilet and urinate well.
- Women should urinate well after intercourse/sexual intercourse to minimize the risk of a bladder infection.
- Good toilet hygiene is also important for women; when cleaning the labia with toilet paper, wipe once from front to back.
When to contact a doctor?
- With rising fever.
- If you still have symptoms after your course of antibiotics.
- If you get pain in your back. This could indicate a kidney infection. If you urinate blood with clots and can no longer urinate.
For more information, please refer to the Emergency Department or your General Practitioner.
