Poor Bladder Health
Poor bladder health can result in bladder infections.
Bladder infections are known as cystitis or inflammation of the bladder. Bladder infections are common in women but very rare in men. About 20% of all women get at least one bladder infection at some time in their lives. However, a man’s chance of getting bladder infections increases as he ages due to, in part, an increase in prostate size.
What causes bladder infections?
Most bladder infections are caused by various strains of E. coli, bacteria that normally live in the gut.
Women sometimes get bladder infections after sex. Vaginal intercourse makes it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder through the urethra. Some women contract bladder infections – dubbed “honeymoon cystitis” – almost every time they have sex. Women who use a diaphragm as their primary method of birth control are also particularly susceptible to bladder infections, perhaps because the device presses on the bladder and keeps it from emptying completely. Bacteria then rapidly reproduce in the stagnant urine left in the bladder.
Bladder infections can be quite uncomfortable and potentially serious. But for women, they clear up quickly and are relatively harmless if treated.
In men, bladder infections are almost always a symptom of an underlying disorder and is generally a cause for concern.
Improving bladder health to prevent future bladder infections
There are many ways to improve your bladder health. Results will vary for everyone so find what works best for you. Improving your bladder health can help prevent painful urination and embarassing urine leakage. Make an effort to strengthen your bladder muscles. Practice contracting and releasing your sphincter muscle a few times a day to decrease some of the pain and to improve your ability to urinate.
Vitamins and herbs are also a good way to improve your bladder health. Large doses of vitamin C increases both acidity and enhance the immune system. Cranberry juice is rich in vitamins that can improve kidney function and, in turn, improve bladder health. In addition, the acidity of cranberry juice helps fight off bacterias that commonly cause bladder infections. Vitamins A and E can increase oxygen supply and decrease the scarring that can occur during interstitial bladder inflammation. Garlic capsules can improve the immune system and kill bacteria in the body.