Bladder infections are common and can be very serious if not diagnosed and treated quickly.

Read on as our team at AFC Urgent Care Hixson lists some effective treatment and prevention techniques.

• Here’s what to do: Understand what constitutes a bladder infection first. Bladder infections are the most common types of urinary tract infections and emit symptoms such as a persistent urge to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, cloudy urine and strong-smelling urine.
• What to do next: Drink more water. Water helps flush out bacteria in your bladder, which will help get rid of the infection faster and prevent future infections. Water also dilutes your urine, which will make urinating less painful if you have a current bladder infection.
• A great prevention method: Drink unsweetened cranberry juice. Cranberry has been used as a natural treatment for preventing bladder infections for generations. Cranberries work by preventing harmful bacteria from entering the urinary tract, thus lowering the risk of infection.
• Another effective prevention tactic: Don’t hold your urine for extended amounts of time. Although it’s inconvenient, frequently urinating isn’t as inconvenient as dealing with a bladder infection.
• If you have a bladder infection: Consider over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Bladder infections can cause lots of pain in the pelvic region, and these medicines are effective in working to relieve the pain.
• What to do after: If none of these things work, call your doctor or primary care physician if your symptoms last longer than two days. You’ll likely need antibiotics to treat your bladder infection.
• Doctor recommendations: If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, it’s important to take your medication for the full course, even if you feel better before it’s done. Taking the full dose will make sure all the harmful bacteria are out of your system.
• Action steps to take for the long run: In addition to staying better hydrated, try changing up your wardrobe a bit. Bacteria thrive in warm and moist environments, so wearing cotton underwear and looser pants will promote air circulation and reduce bacterial growth.

If you experience symptoms that line up with a bladder infection or have any other questions, don’t hesitate to visit us at AFC Urgent Care Hixson.