Bladder infections can occur in everyone, but the symptoms can vary depending on the age and gender of the person. Without treatment, a bladder infection can develop into a kidney infection, which can have serious complications.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are responsible for more than 8.1 million visits to the doctor’s office each year. Medical treatments are available to get rid of the infection, and people can also use home remedies to relieve the symptoms.
In this article, we will look at how the symptoms of a bladder infection differ between women and men and how the condition affects people of different ages.
Sex and gender exist on spectra. In this article, the terms “male”, “female” or both are used to refer to gender assigned during birth. Click here to find out more.
Bladder infections are a type of UTI.
UTIs can develop in any part of a person’s urinary tract, including the urinary tract, urethra, bladder and kidneys. A bladder infection, which a doctor may call cystitis, is the most common form of UTI.
UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and cause irritation in the area. These bacteria usually come from the skin or the rectum.
The symptoms of a bladder infection in children may be more difficult to notice as it does not appear to be specific.
In addition, younger children may sometimes find it more difficult to pass on their symptoms to a parent or caregiver.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, some of the symptoms of a bladder infection in children under 2 years of age include:
In some cases, however, fever may be the only symptom.
At older than two years, symptoms are usually:
- fever
- pain or burning during urination
- cloudy urine, dark, bloody or foul-smelling
- frequent and intense urge to urinate
- back or stomach pain
- bed wetting even when toilet is trained
Bladder infections can affect men of any age and gender, but women are more likely to develop men.
The reason for this is that females have shorter urethra. As a result, bacteria need to travel less far to reach the bladder and cause an infection.
In adults, the symptoms may include:
- frequent urination than normal
- burning sensation when urinating
- intense urge to urinate
- little or no urine comes out, despite the need to urinate
- pain when urinating
- cloudy urine
- strong smelling urine
- generally feel bad, painful, sick and tired
- blood in the urine
Specifically for females
Research indicates that approximately half of all women will develop a UTI during their lifetime, with most of these infections being bladder infections.
In addition to the symptoms above, females may experience pain above the pubic bone.
Specifically for men
There do not appear to be any additional symptoms that are specific to men, although some may experience a full sensation in the rectum.
According to a
The symptoms of bacterial prostatitis include:
- a burning sensation when urinating
- frequent urge to urinate
- pain in the bladder, testicles, penis and area between the genitals and the anus
- pain during ejaculation
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The symptoms of a bladder infection in pregnant people are the same as those in people who are not pregnant.
Some pregnant people may not experience any symptoms before the bladder infection develops into a kidney infection called pyelonephritis, which can cause complications.
Therefore, healthcare teams regularly test people during their pregnancy to monitor on UTIs.
The symptoms of a kidney infection include:
- back pain or she
- fever
- cold Fever
- nausea
Older adults with a bladder infection are likely to experience the typical symptoms, which include a frequent and urgent need for urination and pain during urination.
But,
- lower abdominal pain
- back pain
- cold Fever
- constipation
- confusion
People with dementia who develop bladder infection
It is important that people caring for individuals with dementia are aware that this may be a symptom of a bladder infection, as an early diagnosis makes it possible to treat it as soon as possible.
Since bladder infections are the result of bacteria, a doctor will probably prescribe a course of antibiotics as treatment.
A person should ensure that they complete the antibiotic course even if they feel better. Doing so will ensure that the infection has completely disappeared, reducing the chance of it coming back.
Treatment for children
Intravenous antibiotics may be needed for younger than 2 months. For older babies and children, a healthcare professional may prescribe antibiotics in the form of a liquid or chewable tablet.
Home remedies for children include drinking plenty of fluids, urinating regularly and using a supervised heating pad to relieve the pain.
Treatment during pregnancy
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A doctor may prescribe:
- amoxicillin
- cephalosporins
- nitrofurantoin
- trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
A person can also take steps at home to relieve the symptoms of a bladder infection.
Rooibos berry
Some people believe that drinking blueberry juice can help treat a bladder infection.
Although there
In addition, it can help people stay hydrated.
Pain relief
Although painkillers cannot treat the underlying infection, it can help relieve the pain.
A person may also use a hot water bottle or heating pad on their stomach or between his thighs.
Hydration
Staying hydrated means that someone is likely to urinate more frequently and consequently flush bacteria out of the urinary tract.
Abstinence
If someone has a bladder infection, it can get worse by continuing to have sex because this activity can cause more bacteria to move in the urinary tract.
People should avoid sexual intercourse when they experience bladder infection.
People of any age and gender can get bladder infection, but certain factors increase a person’s risk of getting one.
A bladder infection usually occurs when harmful bacteria from the intestines enter the urinary tract and spread to the bladder.
They can do it because of a person:
- have sex
- wipe the bottom from back to front
- using a catheter
- using a diaphragm as contraception
However, a bladder infection can also occur due to irritation or damage to the urethra, which can result from:
- the use of chemical irritants, such as perfumed bubble bath or soap
- radiation therapy or chemotherapy
- catheter damage
- friction of sexual intercourse
Other risk factors include:
Although it is not always possible to prevent a bladder infection, a person can take steps to limit the risk of developing one.
These include:
- stay hydrated
- urinate after sexual intercourse
- avoid douching
- keep the area around the genitals clean
- wipe from front to back after going to the toilet (and young children learn to do the same)
- to make sure the genital area is as clean as possible before inserting a catheter
- wear cotton underwear
- urinates when the urge develops
Females who regularly develop bladder infections may not need to visit their doctor every time. Mild cases can get better without treatment, and people can learn to recognize the symptoms and treat them at home.
The
Without treatment, the person runs the risk of the bladder infection spreading to other parts of the urinary tract.
According to the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom, people should seek medical advice if:
- they are not sure if their symptoms are due to a bladder infection or another condition
- their symptoms do not start to improve after 3 days
- they often get bladder infections
- their symptoms are severe, such as experiencing blood in the urine
- they are pregnant
- they are male
- a child in their care has symptoms of a bladder infection
Bladder infections are very common, and can affect anyone regardless of age or gender.
The symptoms usually include painful and frequent urination. However, children, older adults and those with dementia may experience non-specific symptoms.
In some cases, bladder infections can resolve spontaneously. In others, however, it can lead to a kidney infection, which can be much more serious. Therefore, anyone who thinks they may be experiencing a bladder infection for the first time should seek medical advice.