Bladder infection or better known as cystitis in medical term, is a very common problem among women compared to men. There are many reasons as to what causes bladder infection in both men and women, and it is the inflammation of the bladder caused by the bacteria infections.
Although one in five women in the United States will get bladder infections some time in their life, infections among men in general, are rare. So, what’s the symptoms of a bladder infection? Normally burning sensation while urinating is a potential first sign of the onset of an imminent infection. Here’s a simple explanation on what causes bladder infection in both men and women, and how to relieve the burning sensation when urinating.
Causes Of Bladder Infection In Women
The causes of bladder infection among women being so common are largely due to the anatomical structure of the female body. The short urethra, the narrow tube that carries urine out of the bladder is the main reason behind bladder infection in women. Because the urethra is so short with merely one and a half inches long, bacteria can easily travel through the urethra and reach the bladder, therefore making women more prone to bladder infection risks compared to men.
Other top reasons include the close proximity of the vagina and rectum to the urethra, which are the common places where bacteria thrives. Improper cleaning of the anus after bowel movement as well as sexual activities such as sexual intercourse also greatly increases the risks of an infection.
Bladder Infections In Men
Bladder infection risks in men on the other hand, increases with the men’s age. The top causes of bladder infections among men are not due to the length of the urethra, but rather the size of the prostate. Prostate size tend to increase with age in men especially for those over the age 40. And as such, the risks of urinary tract obstruction caused by the enlargement of the prostate increases too. When obstruction occur, urine is not completely drained from the bladder after urination thereby causing some residual amount of urine left in the bladder. Over the long run, bacteria growth in these residual urine poses significant risk of a bladder infection.
How To Take Care of UTI
Bladder infection if left untreated can lead to even more severe problems. Bladder infection back pain for example might indicate that the bacteria has infected the kidneys which often complicate matters. As such, it is important that you seek medical help as soon as possible if you suspect that you might have a bladder infection. You can read more about the symptoms of bladder infection here.
To deal with UTI at home, there are 2 potential bladder infection cures for men and women that you can try:
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