Frequently asked questions about bladder infections

Pain or a burning sensation when urinating (dysuria) and frequent urination (pollakiuria) are the most common symptoms of an acute bladder infection. But the feeling of not being able to hold urine (urgent desire to urinate) may also indicate this. If pain in your side occurs between the pelvis and lower ribs, or you have chills and a fever with a temperature of over 38°C, this means the infection has already reached the kidneys. In this case you must consult a doctor immediately. Subsequently, if left untreated, blood poisoning could occur.

In men, an enlarged prostate can press on the bladder and can cause an urge to urinate or difficulty urinating. In addition, the prostate tissue, which has many fine ducts, is more susceptible to bacteria and related infections. 

In women, bacteria enter the urinary tract more quickly through a shorter urethra or by smear infections during sex. Treating bacterial infections with antibiotics can in turn affect the flora in the acidic vaginal environment, causing fungal infections, and this pH imbalance in turn feeds the bacterial infection. With a change in diet, the patient can influence and rebuild the intestinal and vaginal flora and counteract this back-and-forth game. Female hormones also have a great effect on the skin and mucous membranes, which are important for fighting bacteria.

Pregnant women experience a phenomenon that during most pregnancies, from the 12th week, the renal pelvis becomes physiologically dilated (right more often than left). This occurs due to an enlargement of the uterus. Pregnant women are therefore also more susceptible to bacterial colonisation of the vagina and urinary tract infections. That is why regular urine tests are also carried during mother-child health passport medical examinations.

People suffering from diabetes are also more likely to have bladder infections, as they mostly excrete glucose through their urine, which acts as a breeding ground for bacteria. 
 

 

Drinking plenty of fluids and keeping yourself warm can help relieve any discomfort. Herbal supplements or teas with bearberry leaves that you can get at the chemist have an anti-inflammatory effect. If home remedies do not work, we recommend you consult a doctor. In this case, antibiotic treatment is most often necessary.

Being cold and dehydrated, so rarely urinating and standing when doing so (for women) should be avoided as these factors can promote bacteria growth.
 

Anatomically, bacteria pass through the urethra, which can lead to a urinary tract infection. If the bacteria settle in the bladder, this results in a bladder infection. The bacteria can then travel up the ureter to the kidney, where they can cause inflammation of the renal pelvis, potentially even leading to kidney failure.
 

You should get examined if you have any pain in the lower abdomen or when urinating. In addition to a bacterial infection, anatomical or hormonal changes as well as malignant disorders can also be the root cause. If you are diagnosed with a bladder infection or you already know you have a chronic bladder infection, you should consult a doctor at the very latest if you have pain in your side or chills and fever with a temperature of over 38°C.

As well as a bladder infection, bladder or prostate cancer can cause similar symptoms. An enlarged prostate can also cause problems with passing urine. Bladder stones can also cause difficulty when urinating. Diseases affecting the genitals should also be considered, as well as endometriosis, in which endometrial cells grow in the bladder and cause a lot of pain.
 

In addition to taking the patient’s medical history, the patient provides a urine sample and an abdominal ultrasound is performed if a bladder infection is suspected. Lab results will provide information about any potential inflammation. The prostate is felt to rule out an enlarged prostate.