Marina | June 19, 2012 | Health |
Bladder infection symptoms in women –Avoid the causes and implement treatment
Pain and a burning sensation while urinating are some of the common symptoms of bladder infection, medically known as cystitis. Unfortunately, more women than men suffer from this illness because of the proximity of the urethra (the passageway of the urine) to the vagina and the anus. The length of the urethra – only 1.5 inches long – makes it easy for the bacteria to reach the bladder.
Increased sexual activity also results in bladder infection. The term ‘honeymoon cystitis’ was coined as it usually occurs in women who just got back from their honeymoons.
Apart from the aforementioned symptoms, women with bladder infections usually feel a strong urge to urinate. The urge can be so strong that women find it hard to hold it. Despite the urge, only a small amount of urine is released. Some may even note blood tinges in their urine. The urge to urinate happens frequently, and a sore feeling over the back, lower abdomen and sides can also be felt by a woman with this illness.
The urge to urinate and the associated symptoms happen all day. If you find yourself urinating more frequent than usual, you need to schedule a check-up with your doctor so he can conduct laboratory and diagnostic tests to determine if you have a bladder infection.
Making a diagnosis
Your physician can make a definitive diagnosis by asking you for a urine sample. You need to undergo urinalysis, or the process of examining your urine. If you have an increased white blood cell count in your urine (as well as red blood cell count,) it means you have a bladder infection.
If you’re not that sure about your bladder infection, you can purchase an over the counter UTI kit at your nearest drugstore. You just need to pee into a dipstick which measures the amount of nitrites in your urine. Increased nitrites in your urine prove the presence of bacteria as these pathogens change your urine’s nitrate to nitrite. If the color of the dipstick changes, it means you have a bladder infection.
If you ignore the symptoms for a prolonged period of time, the bacteria can ascend to your ureters, and even to your kidneys. Vomiting, nausea, fever, chills and back pains are some of the symptoms associated with an ascending urinary tract infection. If you suspect yourself to be suffering from a mild bladder infection, don’t waste time. See your doctor immediately.
