Bladder infection (cystitis) in women is a very common health problem. Almost every woman sometime during her life will develop one. Typical symptoms include burning with urination, frequent trips to the bathroom but voiding only small amounts of urine, dribbling, bloody urine, pressure and discomfort just above the pubic bone and cloudy urine that has a strong odor. Bladder infections are more common in women who have frequent intercourse, hold their urine for long periods of time, douche, urinate infrequently because of decreased oral intake, use a diaphragm for contraception and/or frequently sit in a hot tub or take bubble baths.
Diagnosis at a physician’s office is usually made by examination of a urine sample. Antibiotic therapy is the standard treatment, although it is reasonable to try increased hydration with cranberry juice for the first day or two if there is no fever, blood in the urine and/or back pain. It is critically important, however, not to delay medical treatment too long, as the risk of serious kidney infection increases with untreated cystitis…..Richard R Samuel, MD Family Practice and Urgent Care Hayden, ID USA
