Knowing the differences between bladder infections vs. UTIs is fundamental to accessing the right bladder or UTI treatment. UTIs and bladder infections share a range of common symptoms because a bladder infection is a subtype of a UTI. However, not every UTI involves the bladder, so it is important to definitively identify which of the two infections you may be experiencing.
What is a UTI?
The term “UTI” stands for Urinary Tract Infection, which is an infection that emerges within the urinary tract system and causes a variety of symptoms. UTIs are quite common; in fact, 50% of women will get a UTI in their lifetime, some getting them occasionally, whereas others get them frequently. UTIs do affect men, too, but far less so. This is because UTIs are more commonly linked with female anatomy, birth control type, pregnancy, and menopause — all of which affect women and not men. While UTIs are common, they can be rather unpleasant, and they can cause an array of unwanted symptoms. As each woman is different, symptoms can vary, but some of the most common UTI symptoms include:
- Pain upon urination
- The feeling of not fully emptying your bladder
- Urgency to urinate followed by very little urine
- Stinging and burning in the pelvic region
- Cloudy or bloody urine
These are some of the most common UTI symptoms. However, it’s important to note that you may not have all of these symptoms together. In fact, some women get very few or no symptoms at all when they have a UTI. UTI treatments can help ease the symptoms as well as the underlying issues causing the UTI.
If you seek UTI treatment from your local drugstore, often, please contact your gynecologist to address ‘why’ your UTI is reoccurring and how to prevent the frequency.
What is a bladder infection?
A bladder infection (also called “cystitis”) is a subtype of a UTI. It is specifically a bacterial infection of the bladder. Due to the close proximity between the anus and the vagina, it is possible for bacteria to spread from the anal passage to the vaginal passage, and then travel up to the bladder via the urethra. This can be particularly unpleasant, but it is usually acute, meaning the infection typically lasts only a short period of time. Still, if you do suspect you have a bladder infection, it is good to get treatment as soon as you can.
The symptoms of a bladder infection are very similar to other types of UTIs. The most common symptoms include:
- Pain upon urination
- The feeling of not fully emptying your bladder
- Urgency to urinate
- Stinging and burning in the pelvic region
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Lower abdominal pain
Potential Complications
An untreated bladder infection can be dangerous. Once the bladder is host to infection, that infection can travel to the kidneys, which can then cause you to develop high blood pressure, or even go into kidney failure. While this is rare, it is serious, so it is best to act early when you think you have a bladder infection. A common UTI can resolve itself on its own or by drinking cranberry juice and lots of water. However, you won’t necessarily know which part of the body your UTI is affecting, and therefore, you won’t know if the UTI will go away on its own or if it will spread. For this reason, it is always best to seek medical advice and treatment.
UTI Treatment
When you suspect you might have a bladder infection or a UTI, you should seek the proper help from a qualified specialist. Bladder and UTI Treatment can vary depending on the type of UTI you have, how much it’s affecting you, and the prognosis given by your doctor.
The first step is a urine test. This involves urinating into a sample container for the doctor to examine and determine whether it is a bladder infection vs. a UTI. Your doctor might want to rule out any other problems (like STIs) while they’re at it, as these can sometimes mimic the symptoms of a UTI. Your doctor may also want to check for pregnancy, since pregnancy can increase the likelihood of getting a bladder infection or UTI.
Yeast infections can also sometimes mimic the symptoms of a UTI. They are extremely common and can cause burning, pain, and stinging in the pelvic region. To learn more about yeast infections and how they differ from a UTI, click here.
A course of antibiotics is the typical treatment for both bladder infections and UTIs. You should take the antibiotics as prescribed and make sure you also intake lots of healthy bacteria in the form of yogurt drinks or supplements to retain healthy bacteria in the vaginal region.
UTI Treatment as a Prevention Method
Prevention is better than cure, and as UTIs are so common, every woman should take proactive steps to avoid UTIs and bladder infections wherever possible. Here are a few of the most helpful preventative practices:
At-Home Preventatives
Keeping these preventative measures in place can work wonders to protect you from bladder infections and UTIs. However, even the best prevention practices are not perfect guarantees of protection. Because of this, you may find yourself still experiencing UTIs or bladder infections from time to time, resulting in prescriptions for antibiotic treatment.
- Love Wellness UTI Don’t Think So
- OLLY Probiotic + Prebiotic Gummy
- AZO UTI Pain Relief Bundle
- Love Wellness The Killer
- AZO Urinary Tract Defense Antibacterial Protection
- Ellura 36 mg PAC (30 caps)
Using a heating pad may help to reduce pain in the abdomen or lower back that is caused by a UTI.
When to talk to your GYN about UTI Treatment
Many people notice their symptoms diminish quite quickly when taking antibiotics, but this does not mean the infection is gone. If you stop your antibiotics early, the bacteria could still be present and begin to multiply again, taking you back to where you started within as little as a week. In addition, misusing antibiotics can contribute to antibiotic resistance, meaning that at some point, antibiotics can stop working for you altogether. Whatever the case may be, it is very important that you take your full course of antibiotics as they were prescribed in order to get the best results.
If you think you may have a bladder infection vs. a UTI, it is important to seek medical help. At the Woman’s Clinic, we are happy to take care of you, whichever UT-related infection you may have. Book an appointment with us today to determine the right course of action for you.
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