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 irritable bladder, which also show increased urgency and small amounts of urine, is the typical pain and burning during urination. Sometimes, cloudiness due to blood or pus in the urine also occurs. Then it is very likely a urinary tract infection, and you should have yourself examined by a doctor. In some cases, a severe inflammation occurs that can spread to the kidneys and other surrounding organs such as the prostate. In this case, you will feel very ill and fatigued, have a fever, and a doctor's visit is essential to avoid serious complications (pyelonephritis, 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 urination, which can intensify at night (nocturia). Often, pain in the bladder area (suprapubic pain) also occurs. Another sign is cramp-like, painful urgency (tenesmus), where the bladder contracts strongly.

Additionally, other 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/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 also occur in some cases.

Furthermore, urge incontinence can occur, where the urge to urinate is so sudden and compelling that those affected cannot make it to the toilet in time. In rare cases, the urine may be brownish or reddish, indicating macrohematuria, i.e., visible blood admixtures.

Urine and the urinary tract system usually function as a cleansing process. Drinking enough and thus flushing out invading bacteria is therefore an important measure in a bladder infection and also very important for prevention. Certain factors, such as an enlarged prostate in men, or narrowing and malformations of the urethra, can impair this natural protection. So if you are affected by such limitations, the likelihood of a bladder infection or urinary tract infection is higher. In addition to underlying diseases such as diabetes, women in the Menopause are more frequently affected by bladder infections due to mucous membrane regression.

In addition to treatment with antibiotics, there are a number of options to treat a bladder infection. These include the application of heat through hot water bottles or sitz baths, the administration of herbal preparations such as cranberry, or D-mannose, a sugar that supports the elimination of bacteria. 

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

Why do women suffer from bladder infections more often during menopause?

The reason for the frequent occurrence of bladder infections in women in the 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 function of the mucous membrane, and the epithelium, i.e., the wall of the urethra, is unprotected and easily accessible to bacteria. A chronic bladder infection, which no longer stems from an acute infection, interstitial cystitis, also occurs in women after the Menopause observed. The exact causes are not well researched. It is suspected that the remaining mucous membrane or the epithelium of the bladder and urethral wall reacts to certain chemicals in the urine due to its limited function and triggers inflammation. Therapy with antibiotics 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 must be confirmed by urine testing (urine diagnostics) before antibiotics are used. Affected individuals often suffer from persistent urge to urinate, pain, and burning during urination. 

What tips are there to avoid recurring bladder infections?

Drinking enough and 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. In addition to 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 the transmission of bacteria. If your mucous membrane is injured or gradually thinning, you can also CANNEFF VAG SUP CBD Suppositories with hyaluronic acid use to support healing and rebuild. An intact mucous membrane is your most important protection against infections in the vagina, urethra, and bladder.