Bladder Infection

Bladder infection, also known as cystitis, is a form of urinary tract infection that causes inflammation of the bladder. A bladder infection is typically caused by pathogenic germs. In most cases, these are bacteria, such as Escheria coli, which enter through the urethra, subsequently colonise the bladder wall and trigger a local inflammatory reaction. For this reason, typical symptoms such as a burning sensation when urinating can occur.

Men are less frequently affected by bladder infections because the urethra is longer in men and is further away from the anal region. Nevertheless, cystitis can also occur in men.
Typically, older men with prostate problems, catheters or urinary tract obstructions are particularly susceptible to developing a bladder infection.
The symptoms of a bladder infection in men often occur relatively quickly after the infection. However, a medical diagnosis should be performed to rule out other issues, such as prostatitis for example.

The symptoms of a bladder infection can vary from person to person. In most cases, they can restrict everyday life and lead to a general feeling of discomfort.

The following symptoms can occur with a bladder infection:

It is important to recognise the typical signs of a beginning infection so that it can be treated at an early stage.

Acute bladder infection occurs suddenly and shows severe symptoms that can be accompanied by pain and feelings of illness. They usually subside again after comprehensive treatment. However, acute cystitis can be prolonged and there is a risk of it becoming chronic.

Chronic bladder infection can recur over a period of time or last for a long time. A frequent urge to urinate, even at night, and pain in the lower abdomen are common conditions that occur repeatedly.
Chronic cystitis can permanently weaken the body and represent an enormous health burden. A more thorough investigation into the underlying causes is essential to restore health balance.

Untreated bladder infection can cause the infection to spread to neighbouring organs in the urinary tract and lead to serious complications.

For example, the bacterial infection in the bladder can spread along the ureters and lead to pyelonephritis. Such an inflammation of the renal pelvis often manifests itself through symptoms such as flank pain or fever.

Another complication of a bladder infection is the spread of the urinary tract infection into the blood, which can lead to septicaemia. Sepsis can lead to organ failure and circulatory instability and requires rapid antibiotic treatment to combat the infection.

It is important to treat a bladder infection at an early stage to prevent further spread to the kidneys or blood (sepsis).

The causes of a bladder infection can be varied and can be triggered by different factors. The most common conventional causes include:

These are often caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract, with Escherichia coli being the most common type. E. coli enters the genital region from the intestine due to the small distance.

Changes in the anatomical structure of the urinary tract, such as narrowing of the urethra, prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate) or urinary stone formation, increase the risk of bladder infections as they can prevent the normal flow of urine and favour the proliferation of bacteria.

Particularly in older people who rely on a catheter, placing the catheter directly into the bladder creates the opportunity for bacteria to enter the bladder more easily along the catheter. This can increase the risk of infection. Thorough cleaning and care of the catheter is therefore of great importance.

Through sexual intercourse, bacteria can more easily enter the urethra and colonise the bladder, which can lead to a bladder infection.

Disruption of the vaginal flora increases the chance of urinary bladder infection caused by pathogenic microorganisms.

The Vaginal Microbiota and Urinary Tract Infection

Roles of the vagina and the vaginal microbiota in urinary tract infection: evidence from clinical correlations and experimental models

The Vaginal Microbiome: III. The Vaginal Microbiome in Various Urogenital Disorders

People with a disturbed intestinal flora (intestinal dysbiosis) are also more frequently affected by a bladder infection. Various intestinal diseases such as leaky gut, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis also affect the immune system and intestinal flora, which increases the chance of developing a bladder infection.

Longitudinal multi-omics analyses link gut microbiome dysbiosis with recurrent urinary tract infections in women

The Role of Gut, Vaginal, and Urinary Microbiome in Urinary Tract Infections: From Bench to Bedside

Gut uropathogen abundance is a risk factor for development of bacteriuria and urinary tract infection

A high blood glucose level, as occurs in diabetes, can trigger the growth of bacteria. Diabetes causes more glucose to be excreted in the urine, which provides a better breeding ground for bacteria to grow and multiply.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Urinary Tract Infection among Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Urinary tract infections in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: review of prevalence, diagnosis, and management

Diabetes mellitus and urinary tract infection: Causative uropathogens, their antibiotic susceptibility pattern and the effects of glycemic status

The prevalence of urinary tract infections in type 2 diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

An immune disorder, in which the immune system is either weakened or overreacts, may contribute to the development of a bladder infection.

The nature of immune responses to urinary tract infections

All of these multiple causes can increase the likelihood of bacterial spread to the bladder. It is therefore important to identify the individual causes and develop appropriate treatment strategies.

Certain factors such as a weakened immune system, inadequate hygiene or anatomical abnormalities can increase the risk of bladder infection. The female sex is also a predisposing factor.
In addition, the vaginal bacterial flora and the intestinal flora play a decisive role in the risk factors for cystitis.

Understanding these risk factors can help you to take preventative measures and avoid a bladder infection.

There are conventional measures and complementary medical approaches for treating a bladder infection. It is advisable to always treat the cause of the illness as well. Here we look at the common treatment options for cystitis.

Conventional treatment for a bladder infection often involves the use of antibiotics to combat the bacterial infection. Common antibiotics such as amoxicillin are often prescribed. They belong to the penicillin group and restrict the multiplication and growth of bacteria. The right antibiotic should be selected on the basis of an antibiogram.
Moreover, to relieve pain, painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol are used.

There is also a vaccination against a bladder infection known as StroVac. However, this has only shown limited scientific efficacy.

Prospective multicentre randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel group study on the efficacy and tolerability of StroVac® in patients with recurrent symptomatic uncomplicated bacterial urinary tract infections

Cranberry juice is recommended for the prevention and treatment of a bladder infection due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, cranberry juice can make it more difficult for bacteria to adhere to the bladder wall and thus counteract infection.

Cranberries and lower urinary tract infection prevention

Consumption of cranberry as adjuvant therapy for urinary tract infections in susceptible populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis

Cranberry Extract for Symptoms of Acute, Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infection: A Systematic Review

Antibiotic versus cranberry in the treatment of uncomplicated urinary infection: a randomized controlled trial

Angocin contains mustard oils from nasturtium and horseradish, which have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This can help against a bladder infection. Another alternative product is AnginK from NatuGena.

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a herbal medicinal product containing Tropaeoli majoris herba (Nasturtium) and Armoraciae rusticanae radix (Horseradish) for the prophylactic treatment of patients with chronically recurrent lower urinary tract infections

Efficacy and safety profile of a herbal drug containing nasturtium herb and horseradish root in acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis and acute urinary tract infection in comparison with other treatments in the daily practice/results of a prospective cohort study

Canephron from Bionorica is a combination of rosemary, centaury and lovage root. The preparation is anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic and can be used for the prophylaxis and treatment of a simple bladder infection.

Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections with Canephron® in Germany: A Retrospective Database Analysis

Efficacy and safety of the phytotherapeutic drug Canephron® N in prevention and treatment of urogenital and gestational disease: review of clinical experience in Eastern Europe and Central Asia

A Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Canephron N in Comparison to Ciprofloxacin in the Prevention of Postoperative Lower Urinary Tract Infections after Midurethral Sling Surgery

The standardized herbal combination BNO 2103 contained in Canephron® N alleviates inflammatory pain in experimental cystitis and prostatitis

Canephron® N (BNO 1045) may be Non-inferior to Single-dose Fosfomycin in Reducing the Need for Additional Antibiotics to Treat Women with Presumptive Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections

Femannose contains D-mannose, a sugar that binds to the bacteria and thus prevents them from adhering to the bladder wall. This can have a positive effect against a bladder infection.

Why d-Mannose May Be as Efficient as Antibiotics in the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Lower Urinary Tract Infections—Preliminary Considerations and Conclusions from a Non-Interventional Study

D-mannose vs other agents for recurrent urinary tract infection prevention in adult women: a systematic review and meta-analysis

D-mannose: a promising support for acute urinary tract infections in women. A pilot study

Cystinol is a preparation containing bearberry extract. It has a broad antibacterial effect and thus reduces the bacterial load in the urinary tract. Bearberry leaves have a long history in naturopathy for urinary tract problems. They can also be taken as tea or in the form of food supplements.

Risk assessment of free hydroquinone derived from Arctostaphylos Uva-ursi folium herbal preparations

Bearberry in the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis (BRUMI): protocol of a multicentre, randomised double-blind clinical trial

Aqualibra contains goldenrod, horsetail and orthosiphon. These promote the flushing of the urinary tract and have anti-inflammatory properties. Aqualibra may be suitable for recurrent uncomplicated bladder infections.

Effect of a Herbal Therapy on Clinical Symptoms of Acute Lower Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: Secondary Analysis from a Randomized Controlled Trial

Propolis is a putty resin from bees that has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits the growth of bacteria. Propolis is also effective against a bladder infection.

Propolis can potentialise the anti-adhesion activity of proanthocyanidins on uropathogenic Escherichia coli in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections

A Multicenter, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study Evaluating the Efficacy of a Combination of Propolis and Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) (DUAB®) in Preventing Low Urinary Tract Infection Recurrence in Women Complaining of Recurrent Cystitis

Propolis potentiates the effect of cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) in reducing the motility and the biofilm formation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Homeopathic globules are also widely used for a bladder infection. The homeopathic remedies used for cystitis include Apis (honey bee), Dulcamara (bittersweet nightshade) and Cantharis (Spanish fly) or Belladonna (deadly nightshade). It is important to consult an experienced therapist for the correct choice of homeopathic remedy.

Other effective complementary medical treatments can strengthen the body, relieve the immune system and tackle the cause directly. These include the following methods, for example:

Hidden inflammations (silent inflammation) can also trigger other inflammations, such as a bladder infection. These can, for example, hide in the oral cavity as inflammation of the jaw.

Classic home remedies such as onion juice, nettle tea, warm sitz baths or sufficient fluid intake can help to alleviate symptoms.

You can often use these small home remedy tips in addition to your medical treatment.

Heat can help to relieve pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen. Heat can also improve blood circulation and optimise the local function of the immune system.

Sufficient fluid intake primarily serves to flush the bladder. Increased urination allows bacteria to be flushed out of the urinary tract.

Nettle tea can alleviate the symptoms of a bladder infection due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It has a diuretic effect, which further promotes the flushing of the urogenital tract.

Onions are said to have proven anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Onions can be included in the diet or consumed in the form of onion juice to prevent and treat mild forms of a bladder infection.

There are a number of measures that can help prevent bladder infection.
Preventive approaches include

Bladder infections have become a common problem these days. Those affected have many questions about it, which we will try to answer below.

The information listed contains relevant topics and serves to improve understanding.