Bladder infections are one of the most common infections and affect about 40%-60% of all women sometime in their lives. Whether it’s your first bladder infection or you struggle with recurring infections, Dr. Robert Gregory Owens provides compassionate, customized treatment at Advanced Pelvic Surgery, the premier pelvic floor rehab center in Southern Ohio, to relieve your symptoms and address the underlying problem. Early treatment prevents complications, so don’t wait to call the office in West Chester, Ohio or book an appointment online.
A bladder infection, called cystitis, is a type of urinary tract infection. A simple bladder infection occurs when bacteria travel up the urethra -- the tube that carries urine out of your body -- to the bladder, causing inflammation.
You have a complicated bladder infection when a problem with your urinary tract makes the infection difficult to treat. This situation can occur when urine flow is blocked, or urine is retained in the bladder.
In some cases, cystitis develops due to drugs, radiation therapy, and irritants such as spermicides, feminine hygiene spray, and long-term use of an indwelling catheter.
Dr. Owens has practiced urogynecology in Cincinnati for more than 20 years, so you can count on his experience to treat even the most difficult cases.
Women are more likely to develop bladder infections because of their anatomy. First, the urethra is close to the vagina and anus where bacteria thrive. Second, the urethra is short, so bacteria can easily travel to the bladder.
Besides their anatomy, women are more susceptible due to the following:
Bladder infections can cause one or more of the following symptoms:
If the infection spreads into your kidneys, your symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting, back pain, or confusion.
A urinalysis diagnoses a bladder infection by testing for the presence of bacteria or inflammation in your urine. Dr. Owens may also order a urine culture to determine which bacteria is causing your infection.
You may receive ultrasound or CT scan for recurring bladder infections, or when Dr. Owens has concerns about a potential blockage in your urinary tract.
Antibiotics are the primary treatment for simple cystitis caused by a bacterial infection. Dr. Owens may recommend other options if an underlying health condition or urinary tract blockage contribute to the problem.
As a physician who’s double board-certified in OB/GYN and female pelvic medicine and surgery -- and a doctor who listens to your concerns -- you can count on Dr. Owens to promptly treat and relieve your symptoms.
To relieve your symptoms and prevent complications with the help of an expert, call Advanced Pelvic Surgery or book an appointment with Dr. Owens online at the first symptoms of a bladder infection.
