Drinking plenty of water can help prevent a bladder infection.
Bladder infections are a common health issue, especially among women ages 20 to 50. For a person trying to avoid contracting an infection or for one who is trying to recover from one, drinking plenty of water is an important part of the process.
Bladder Infection
A bladder infection, or cystitis, occurs when bacteria enters a person's urinary tract. The bacteria infect the urethra and bladder, causing inflammation. Most bladder infections are caused by the bacteria E. coli. Women are more likely than men to contract a bladder infection, but it can occur in both genders, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a bladder infection include cloudy urine that could have a strong or foul odor. A person experiences a strong, frequent urge to urinate, even after recently emptying her bladder. This could lead to her needing to get up at night to urinate. It might be painful for her to urinate. She could drink more water than usual to compensate for the increased urges to urinate.
Risks
Certain risk factors make it more likely a person will develop a bladder infection. Having an enlarged prostate or experiencing bladder stones can increase the chances of having a bladder infection. Not drinking enough water can put a person at risk for an infection. Any disorder that depresses the immune system can make a person more vulnerable to bladder infections, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.
Treatment
Bladder infections are treated with antibiotics, which will clear the bacteria from the urinary tract. During treatment, it is important to drink a lot of water. This will cause increased urination, which will help to flush bacteria from the urinary tract and speed healing. Drinking cranberry juice can help reduce the concentration of bacteria in a person's urine.
Considerations
A person can reduce his risk for developing a bladder infection by staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water. This reduces the chance of bacteria building up in the bladder. For a woman, urinating after sexual activity can help reduce the risk. If a person does contract a bladder infection, it is important to take the entire course of antibiotics, even if symptoms disappear after a few days. This will make sure the infection does not reoccur.
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