About 8.1 million people seek bladder infection treatment each year. A bladder infection is actually the most common type of urinary tract infection (UTI).
Some unfortunate souls develop bladder infections more often than others too. No one wants to deal with cramping and pain while urinating. Thankfully, the treatment is simple and there are other steps you can take to improve your condition.
If you or someone you know is experiencing bladder infection symptoms, check out these convenient treatment methods below.
1. Take Antibiotics
The fastest way to eliminate a bladder infection is usually to take antibiotics.
The positive side of taking antibiotics is the cost. They are regularly available and cheap. However, they may not be so cheap if you consider the cost of a doctor’s visit ($104 on average) to prescribe it.
The downside of taking antibiotics is that they not only kill the bad bacteria in your bladder, but also good bacteria. Some people may even develop a yeast infection after taking antibiotics.
Some scientists are even worried about the overprescription of antibiotics leading to bacterial resistance. This has already allowed super-resistant bacteria to form.
2. Drink Cranberry Juice
This is a well-known method of treating a bladder infection. Cranberries have excellent properties for fighting the bacteria in the bladder. Their antioxidants are naturally antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Of course, this doesn’t necessarily work for all cases. However, unless you have an allergy, there’s no harm in trying.
3. Urinate Regularly
If you find yourself ‘holding it’ a lot, make an effort to stop. Instead, find the time to build healthy urination habits. Urinating helps the bladder and urethra flush out any potential bacteria lurking.
Of course, certain work and home environments can be very demanding. A house full of children can impede on how often you can use the toilet. However, it’s essential for your health to find a way.
4. Use a Heating Pad
The cramps caused by a bladder infection can be excruciating. To deal with them, make sure you have a heating pad handy.
The heat from the pad can make your medications and other treatments more effective. It will specifically help with the aches and pains of a urinary tract infection.
5. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is key to both preventing bladder infections and treating them. Just like regular urination, it gives the body a chance to flush out anything potentially harmful. It’s when you let things sit in there that an infection occurs.
Additionally, dark urine indicates there is more waste in it. This can be more painful to pass when you have an active infection. Water helps to dilute this waste.
More Tips on Bladder Infection Treatment
Bladder infection treatment is actually simple and straightforward. However, the key is to keep your body hydrated and balanced to prevent the infection in the first place.
If you suspect yourself or someone you know has come down with a bladder infection, contact Emerald Coast Urgent Care to ask about treatment.
