The most commonly occurring urinary tract infection is the bladder infection. The other type of urinary tract infection is called as pyelonephritis. This infection is considered very serious and has to be attended to immediately to avoid further damage to the kidney. Bladder infection is otherwise known as cystitis or bladder inflammation. This condition is most common in women and rarely occurs in men. It is statistically found that 20 percent of women will get bladder infection at least for once in their life time. The frequency of bladder infections or cystitis will increase as the age progresses because of increase in the size of the prostate gland.

The most frequent bladder infections in women are attributed to the presence of small sized urethra compared to that of in men. The length of the urethra being one and a half inches makes it easy for the bacteria or germs to reach the bladder. In women, the urethral exit lies close to the vagina and anus. It is easy for the bacteria from those regions to enter into the urinary tract.

Bladder infections normally will not be so serious. They tend to come back in some people who do not take care of treating it properly. Sometimes, it might lead to kidney infection and even kidney damage. Hence, it is very significant to manage the actual cause of the bladder infection. It is very important or the people who have already suffered from this, to take some preventive steps in order to avoid it to recur. Most of the urinary tract infections are caused by Escherichia coli.

Symptoms of bladder infection are

• Urgent desire to empty the bladder.
• Dysuria or burning sensation while urinating.
• Bladder spasms.
• Urinating sensation all though the bladder has no urine to excrete.
• Mild fever.
• Bad smelling urine and bloody urine.
• The bladder infection leading to kidney infection causes fever, shivering and nausea.
• Abdominal pain and urinating frequently.
• Those with kidney infections also will suffer from back pain.
• Pain in the lower back.
• Mental confusion and lethargy.

Causes for bladder infection are

• The bladder infections are caused by different E. coli strains which usually are available in the gastro intestinal tract.
• After sexual intercourse, some women will get bladder infections. The vaginal intercourse is easier for the bacteria to reach the bladder through the urethra.
• Some women get the infection almost every time they have sex.
• The females who utilize diaphragm as the birth control method get the bladder infections. This probably is because the instrument seems to be pressing the bladder and keeps emptying the bladder frequently.
• The pregnant ladies who experience compression of their bladder by the fetus growth experience bladder infections.
• The usage of spermicides and condoms also might lead to urinary tract infections.
• In some men, bladder infection can be a symptom of another underlying disease. This might be the blockage in the urinary tract.
•  The boys or men who have not undergone circumcision might have the bacteria collected in the fore skin and result in bladder infection.
• The sexually transmitted bacteria such as mycoplasma and chlamydia can also lead to bladder infections.
• The usage of catheters inserted into the bladder can result in its infection.
• Without any other infection also bladder infections might occur which are termed as interstitial cystitis.
• If the urine is hold back without passing it out, it might lead to bladder infection.

Home remedies for bladder infection

• Maintaining very good health and hygiene and keeping the urine acidic can avoid bladder infections.
• To keep the urine acidic, it is necessary to take vitamin C in the night before going to bed. The urine that is generated by the morning will be acidic. This way the urine will not become a habitat for bacteria to grow.
• Another factor that can keep the urine acidic is Cranberry juice. This juice also has anti-bacterial properties. This juice has to be taken two times in a day to keep the urine acidic and avoid infestation of bacteria.
• Drinking lots of water is essential in a day so that bladder can be cleaned frequently. It is also necessary for the person to urinate and clean the bladder, whenever the person feels like urinating. It is not healthy to hold the urine.
• After urinating, it is healthy to wash the genitals and keep the area clean.
• Even if the infection persists after taking careful measures to avoid its spread, then the doctor has to be consulted for taking antibiotics.
• A pregnant woman who gets bladder infection has to be treated immediately by the doctor through antibiotics. Otherwise, the delay in taking the treatment might result in serious complications and even to the death of the fetus.
• Drinking baking soda mixed in water can also bring improvement in the symptoms. The heaped spoon full of baking soda mixed in one glass of water can reduce the symptoms.
• The natural treatment of bladder infection is carried out by the enzymes of cranberry juice. The cranberry juice can be taken without addition of sugars and water to give best results.
• Along with the home remedies, it is also important for the person to get the treatment simultaneously and to eradicate the traces of bacteria causing infection. This helps in ceasing the bacteria to infect.
• It is important to wash the external region as well as the internal environment.
• A table spoon full of catnip added to quarter quantity of water and enema is used along with this drink.
• To keep the loose bowels, the laxative tea can be taken by mixing the herbs like buckthorn bark, spearmint, marshmallow, senna and cubeb berries. This herbal mixture can be added to the cup of water and a tea is made. This tea can be taken from one cup to four cups per day to allow the bowels to move very fast. This makes the bladder infection to subside and brings some relief.
• The tea made from herbs like buchu and uva ursi and flaxseed tea can be used for bringing relief to the bladder infection.
• Hot sitz baths can be done to bring relief from bladder infections.
• The hot sitz baths can be taken more than two times in a day in case the infection is severe.
• The capsules of St. John’s Wort or alfalfa can keep the bladder away from infection.
• Wearing tight clothes including tight under garments have to be avoided.
• It is better to urinate after carrying out sexual intercourse.
• The unclean colon can also lead to bladder infection. Cleaning the colon can avoid infections in the bladder.
• The blessed thistle and white oak bark taken in the form of tea or in capsule form can cause bladder infection.
• Drinking a liquid made with the help of garlic juice, olive oil and a glass full of warm water can make the infection to get reduced. This liquid can be taken before meals and can be used till the infection subsides.
• Goldenseal, vitamin C and garlic can reduce the bladder infection.
• Yogurt mixed with fresh crushed cranberries can be used for bladder infection.
• The tea made from Peach bark and dandelion can bring relief to bladder infection.
• The combination of water and dolomite is also known to be working for bladder infection according to a user.
• The immediate relief from bladder infection or urinary tract infection can be had by usage of alka seltzer tablets along with water. This mixture can be taken once or twice a day to get away the infection, if it is strong.
• Usage of very mild soap for cleaning this region can resist the infections of bladder.
• If the pain due to the infection is very severe, then it is better to keep a heating pad in the bladder area so that it helps in relaxing the muscles.