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The Bacterial Intruder
Bladder infections, also known as a urinary tract infection (UTI), might begin with a severe pain when you urinate. The unmistakable urge to go again only surmounts to a trickle and a burn that’ll make your toes curl. Sometimes you’ll notice a strong odor and a passing of blood. If allowed to advance, a bladder infection can cause back pain, chills, fever, nausea and vomiting.
A UTI is the most common bladder problem among women in their thirties and forties. Women are up to 50 times more likely than men to develop UTIs. Why? A women’s urethra, the tube that transports urine out of the bladder, is less than two inches long. This short path makes the urethra an easy target for invasion by bacteria that live in the vagina and rectum. These bacteria can cause inflammation of the urethra, bladder or kidneys.
Although bladder infections should always be brought to your doctor or nurse practitioner’s attention, so antibiotic treatment can be started to attack the bacteria, there are plenty of ways to prevent getting them in the first place. Here are some tips:
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Swig cranberry juice. A recent study by Harvard Medical School validated this age-old remedy, which helps inhibit bacteria’s ability to latch on to the bladder wall when the bladder is infected. However, when your bladder is healthy cranberry juice can act as an irritant and should be avoided.
Swig cranberry juice. A recent study by Harvard Medical School validated this age-old remedy, which helps inhibit bacteria’s ability to latch on to the bladder wall when the bladder is infected. However, when your bladder is healthy cranberry juice can act as an irritant and should be avoided.•Practice good hygiene. Okay, no brainer right? Do you wash your hands before urinating? This would help reduce your chances of a UTI. Also, wipe from front to back to keep harmful bacteria away from your short, vulnerable urethra. Perhaps consider a gentle wipe to keep in your bathroom. I highly recommend Whitestone Compose Wipes (not flushable).
Practice good hygiene. Okay, no brainer right? Do you wash your hands before urinating? This would help reduce your chances of a UTI. Also, wipe from front to back to keep harmful bacteria away from your short, vulnerable urethra. Perhaps consider a gentle wipe to keep in your bathroom. I highly recommend Whitestone Compose Wipes (not flushable).•Drink up! Drinking at least six, 8-oz. glasses of water or other non-caffeinated beverages each day will dilute urine in the bladder. This environment will make it challenging for bacteria to thrive.
Drink up! Drinking at least six, 8-oz. glasses of water or other non-caffeinated beverages each day will dilute urine in the bladder. This environment will make it challenging for bacteria to thrive. •Urinate often (but don’t obsess). For women who are susceptible to UTIs, it’s important to empty your bladder at least 4-6 times a day. This will help keep your bladder free from bacteria.
Urinate often (but don’t obsess). For women who are susceptible to UTIs, it’s important to empty your bladder at least 4-6 times a day. This will help keep your bladder free from bacteria.•Tank the tub. Shower instead. Your bladder could be put at risk if you soak in a tub full of soap or bubble bath. This could irritate the lining of the urinary tract, particularly if you have a past history of recurrent bladder infections.
Tank the tub. Shower instead. Your bladder could be put at risk if you soak in a tub full of soap or bubble bath. This could irritate the lining of the urinary tract, particularly if you have a past history of recurrent bladder infections.•Examine your birth control. Research has found a connection between chronic UTIs and women who use diaphragms for birth control. This method of birth control sets you up for greater risk of having Escherichia bacteria, the culprit that often causes UTIs.
Examine your birth control. Research has found a connection between chronic UTIs and women who use diaphragms for birth control. This method of birth control sets you up for greater risk of having Escherichia bacteria, the culprit that often causes UTIs.•Pick panties properly. Certain materials such as nylon, which create a snug fit, can restrict airflow, trap moisture, and provide a happy medium for bacterial growth around the urethra. Instead, choose loose-fitting cotton undergarments that permit better air circulation. If you wear panty hose, be sure that they have a cotton crotch.
Pick panties properly. Certain materials such as nylon, which create a snug fit, can restrict airflow, trap moisture, and provide a happy medium for bacterial growth around the urethra. Instead, choose loose-fitting cotton undergarments that permit better air circulation. If you wear panty hose, be sure that they have a cotton crotch. 
I am a Continence Nurse Specialist for Woodbury Health Products and WoodburyHealthCenter.com. My mission is to provide support to the millions of Americans who suffer with incontinence, often in silence and shame.
As a clinician, I hope to facilitate a healthier way of thinking about incontinence and to remove the taboo associated with it in America.
I received my nursing degree from the University of Portland, Oregon in 1994. I enjoy working with both patients and caregivers to provide them with expert consultation and dignified product solutions. With years of clinical experience, I realize the impact and importance of the support I can provide to people living with incontinence.
Robin Howe, RN BSN
Continence Nurse Specialist
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