Bladder infection

How can I recognize a bladder infection and what can I do about it?

If you suffer from a bladder infection, you will also feel the urge to urinate more frequently than usual. A distinction from a cold bladder or an overactive bladder, which also show increased urinary urgency and small amounts of urine, is the typical pain and burning sensation when urinating. Sometimes, the urine may become cloudy due to blood or pus. Then it is very likely a urinary tract infection, and you should see a doctor for an examination. In some cases, a severe inflammation can spread to the kidneys and other surrounding organs such as the prostate. In this case, you will experience a strong feeling of illness and fatigue, as well as fever, and a doctor's visit is essential to avoid serious complications (kidney infection, sepsis, epididymitis, etc.).

Bladder infections can be characterized by a range of symptoms, including pain during urination and difficulty urinating. Many affected individuals suffer from frequent urges to urinate, which can intensify at night (nocturia). Often, pain in the bladder area (suprapubic pain) also occurs. Another sign is cramping, painful urgency (tenesmus), where the bladder contracts strongly.

Additional signs may indicate a bladder infection. These include cloudy and/or unpleasant-smelling urine and, in women, increased discharge (fluor), especially if the infection spreads to the vagina (vaginitis). If the inflammation spreads to the kidneys or, in men, to the prostate (prostatitis), back pain may occur. Although fever is rare in a simple bladder infection, it can occur in some cases.

Furthermore, urge incontinence can occur, where the urge to urinate is so sudden and strong that affected individuals cannot reach the toilet in time. In rare cases, urine may be brownish or reddish, indicating macroscopic hematuria, meaning visible blood in the urine.

Urine and the urinary tract system usually function as a cleansing process. Drinking enough fluids to flush out invading bacteria is therefore an important measure in treating and preventing bladder infections. Certain factors, such as an enlarged prostate in men or narrowing and malformations of the urethra, can impair this natural protection. If you are affected by such conditions, the likelihood of a bladder infection or urinary tract infection is higher. Besides underlying diseases like diabetes, women in the menopause are more frequently affected by bladder infections due to mucosal atrophy.

In addition to treatment with antibiotics, there are several ways to treat a bladder infection. These include applying heat through hot water bottles or sitz baths, using herbal preparations such as cranberry or D-mannose, a sugar that supports flushing out bacteria.

For women in menopause, hormone preparations can also counteract mucosal breakdown. For hormone-free treatment of mucosal injuries or vaginal atrophy, CANNEFF VAG SUP CBD suppositories with CBD and hyaluronic acid can also be used.

Why do women in menopause suffer more frequently from bladder infections?

The reason for the frequent occurrence of bladder infections in women during menopause is the breakdown of the mucous membrane in the urethra. The mucous membrane recedes due to the decrease in estrogen, just as it does in the vagina. This leads to impaired mucosal function, and the epithelium, i.e., the wall of the urethra, is unprotected and provides easy access for bacteria. A chronic bladder infection that no longer stems from an acute infection, interstitial cystitis, is also observed in women after menopause. The exact causes are not well researched. It is suspected that the remaining mucosa or the epithelium of the bladder and urethral wall reacts to certain chemicals in the urine due to its impaired function and triggers inflammation. Antibiotic therapy can potentially negatively affect the course of interstitial cystitis and cause additional side effects. Therefore, when symptoms of a bladder infection occur, a bacterial infection should be confirmed by urine testing (urine diagnostics) before antibiotics are used. Affected individuals often suffer from persistent urinary urgency, pain, and burning when urinating.

What tips are there to avoid recurring bladder infections?

Drinking enough fluids and maintaining a balanced diet are important to prevent recurring bladder infections. Try to use the toilet regularly so that bacteria do not have time to travel up the urethra. Sufficient exercise and immune-strengthening measures are essential and make your body stronger, especially in defending against infections. Avoid sitting on cold surfaces and protect your body from prolonged cold exposure. Besides good intimate care specifically for women, due to the proximity of the anus and urethral opening, wearing comfortable underwear without synthetic materials is also important. Wash your underwear at higher temperatures to kill all bacteria. During sexual intercourse, condoms can protect against bacterial transmission. If your mucous membrane has been injured or is thinning slowly, you can also use CANNEFF VAG SUP CBD suppositories with hyaluronic acid to support healing and rebuilding. An intact mucous membrane is your most important protection against infections in the vagina, urethra, and bladder.