Health care professionals typically test a sample of your urine to diagnose a bladder infection. In rare cases, a health care professional may also order another test to look at your urinary tract.
When bacteria form biofilms in the bladder, they are no longer free-floating. If the bacteria are not floating around in the urine, they will not be passed into your sample on urination. If the bacteria are not in your sample, they will not be detected.
Burning or pain when urinating is the most common symptom. You may even feel a strong urge or need to urinate but only get a few drops. This is because the bladder is so irritated that it makes you feel like you have to urinate, even when you don't have much urine in your bladder.
You can buy a home urinary tract infection (UTI) test kit. They are available without a prescription at a drugstore or online. The home test kit contains specially treated test strips. You hold them in your urine stream or dip them in a sample of your urine.
Most bladder infections are treated with antibiotics. This is the fastest way to get rid of a bladder infection.
Most UTIs last about a week, but there are factors that can impact your conditions, and when you'll feel better and be bacteria free. For instance, an uncomplicated UTI, which is by far the most common, typically takes about three to seven days to fight off, even on your own without treatment.
“A bladder infection can get better on its own, but most of the time it doesn't. If your symptoms are minor, it's reasonable to try extra fluids and cranberry products to see if it resolves over the course of a day. If it doesn't, work with your doctor to get a urine test or visit urgent care.
Bladder infection symptoms most often go away within 24 to 48 hours after treatment begins. If you have a kidney infection, it may take 1 week or longer for symptoms to go away.
Bladder infections are a type of UTI, but not all urinary tract infections are bladder infections. A UTI is defined as an infection in one or more places in the urinary tract—the ureters, kidneys, urethra, and/or bladder. A bladder infection is a UTI that's only located in the bladder.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) include bladder infections, but bladder infections are distinct from UTIs in general. A UTI affects one or more parts of the urinary tract. The parts include the kidneys, ureters, urethra, and bladder. An infection that affects only the bladder is known as a bladder infection.
Blood tests can identify the presence of infection in the bloodstream and may be used when a patient presents with severe symptoms.
Seek care right away. If you have symptoms of a bladder infection, see a health care professional right away, especially if you have severe pain in your back near your ribs or in your lower abdomen, along with vomiting and nausea, fever, or other symptoms that may indicate a kidney infection.
Pain, pressure or tenderness in your abdomen and pubic area is common with a bladder infection. If the pain moves to your lower back, it could be an indication that the infection has spread to your kidneys.
UTIs typically occur when bacteria outside the body enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply. Most cases of cystitis are caused by a type of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. But other types of bacteria can cause infections, too. Bacterial bladder infections may happen in women after sex.
Without treatment, symptoms of a UTI can last about a week. This can happen up to 40% of the time with a simple UTI. But it's not always possible to predict if and when a UTI will resolve on its own. It's more likely to happen in adult women with no other health problems.
If a bladder infection remains untreated, it can spread to the kidneys, which is more dangerous. If a person has a kidney infection, they may need treatment in the hospital. Without proper treatment, a kidney infection may lead to permanent kidney damage.
During the infection — and after — make sure to drink a lot of water, at least 12 8-ounce cups per day. This will flush out your system and help prevent future infections. If you feel like you've got to go, GO! Don't hold it, as this simply delays getting rid of more bacteria.
Drink Plenty of Fluids to Flush Out Bacteria — But Don't Overdo It. Drinking plenty of water — six to eight glasses daily — can flush bacteria out of your urinary tract and help prevent bladder infections.
These foods include pears, bananas, green beans, squash, potatoes, lean proteins, whole grains, nuts, bread, and eggs. Remember that these are general guidelines and mainly apply to sensitive bladders.