Preventing Bladder Infections

Often called Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), these relatively harmless bladder infections are much more common in women than men. Some experts speculate that women are more likely to get UTIs because they have shorter urethras than men. Whatever the reason, bladder infections are generally easy to cure with a round of antibiotics.

Left untreated, UTIs can result in serious kidney or bladder damage. So seeing your doctor and getting the appropriate medication is extremely important if you ever experience bladder infection symptoms, which can include:

•Burning sensation during urination
•Urgency (the need to urinate immediately)
•Frequency (the need to urinate often)
•Abdominal pain during urination
•Visible blood in urine

If you experience any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

Some women, unfortunately, are plagued by recurring bladder infections. If you'd like to prevent UTIs in the future, try some of these suggestions: