What Are Bladder Infections?
A bladder infection (sometimes called cystitis) is very common, particularly among women, whose urinary anatomy makes them much more susceptible than men to these problems. Normally, the bladder is free of bacteria and other organisms that can cause infections. When an organism invades the bladder, it enters through the lower end of the urinary tract or via the bloodstream. Untreated bladder infections can lead to more serious infections of the kidney (plylonephritis) that can be permanently damaging. This is particularly true among young children and seniors, because their symptoms may be mistaken for other disorders. Women who develop bladder infections during pregnancy may be at increased risk of delivering premature or low birth weight babies. What are the symptoms of bladder infections? The infections are marked by a frequent, urgent need to urinate, or a painful or burning sensation when urinating. The urine is typically cloudy. advertisement What are the causes of bladder infect
