Difference Between Bladder And Urinary Tract Infection

Whats The Difference Between A Urinary Tract Infection And Bladder Infection

A urinary tract infection is a more general type of infection. There are many parts of your urinary tract. A UTI is a term for an infection that takes place throughout the urinary tract. A bladder infection, also called cystitis, is a specific infection. In this infection, bacteria makes its way into the bladder and causes inflammation.

Not all urinary tract infections become bladder infections. Preventing the spread of the infection is one of the most important reasons to treat a UTI quickly when you have symptoms. The infection can spread not only to the bladder, but also into your kidneys, which is a more complicated type of infection than a UTI.

Treating A Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are treated using antifungal medications. These are available in many forms, such as clotrimazole and miconazole, which are available over the counter. There is also an oral medication, fluconazole , available as a prescription if you prefer a pill to a vaginal cream or suppository.

What Is Overactive Bladder

Overactive bladder, on the other hand, is a condition where you feel a sudden and urgent need to urinate. It may be so strong that you arent able to resist it and have an accident with leakage of urine.

Overactive bladder is more common as we age, but it can still occur in younger patients. It may be a result of:

• Neurological disorders associated with strokes or multiple sclerosis
• Medication
• Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol

While a conversation about urine may not be at the top of your to-do list, its important to discuss any issues or symptoms with your doctor. They can recommend lifestyle modifications, medications or surgical treatments that can help improve the situation.

Patients with overactive bladder and urinary tract infections can both have bothersome symptoms, such as urinary frequency, urgency and urinary incontinence, says David Ginsberg, MD, a urologist at USC Urology at Keck Medicine of USC and professor of clinical urology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.

Overactive bladder symptoms are often slowly progressive, and over time, the urgency may become severe enough where it is associated with urinary leakage. Thankfully, both urinary tract infections and overactive bladder are usually easily treated.

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Symptoms Of Cystitis And Urinary Tract Infections

The symptoms of cystitis and urinary tract infection are largely the same, so it can be difficult to tell which youre experiencing.

Symptoms of cystitis

The pain associated with cystitis may be localized to your bladder. If you have cystitis, youre likely to experience:

• A feeling of needing to pee more often than normal, even right after using the bathroom
• Cloudy urine that is dark and strong-smelling
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Blood in your urine
• Pain in your lower stomach area
• A general feeling of sickness, achiness, and tiredness

Notably, cystitis does not usually cause fever, which is the major difference between symptoms of the two conditions.

Symptoms of urinary tract infections

The most common type of a UTI is a bladder infection. Signs you may have one include:

• Cloudy or milky-looking urine

Are Kidney Infections And Uti Treated Differently

Considering that both UTI and kidney infections are slightly different, their treatment options also vary. To diagnose whether you have only urinary tract infection or kidney infection, the doctor would conduct a urine test to check for the presence of infection-causing pathogens in the urine.

Here are some possible treatment options for kidney infections and UTI.

One should complete the entire antibiotics course to completely heal from the infection. A lot of people leave the course in between as they begin to feel better unaware of the fact that this can cause the infection to reoccur. Flare-ups are seen in cases of incomplete antibiotics course as stronger bacteria arent easy to kill.

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How Do A Bladder Infection And A Urinary Tract Infection Differ

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Urinary Tract Infection Treatment

Usually doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat UTIs. Once you start taking medication, your symptoms should go away in a few days, but this doesnt mean you can stop taking the medicine. While you are on the mediation, drink plenty of water to help flush the bacteria out of your system.

To help ease the pain of a UTI, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever and try putting a heating pad on your lower abdomen.

If you have recurrent UTIs , your doctor may recommend additional treatments.

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Important Notes For Uti Treatment

To ensure your UTI is completely gone, its important to finish your course of antibioticseven if it doesnt burn when you pee anymore. If you dont, you risk developing an antibiotic-resistant UTI, which makes your UTI more complicated to treat.

If youve dealt with bladder infections or UTIs before, youve likely heard about home remediessuch as cranberry juice and drinking a lot of wateras antibiotic alternatives. Though home remedies may sound like an easier shortcut, there isnt any evidence that shows they will treat a bacterial infection thats already present. Though things like staying hydrated may be recommended alongside antibiotics as a part of your treatment plan, they dont substitute the effectiveness of antibiotics.

How to get help 24/7

The sooner you can get treated for your UTI, the better. If youre feeling the burning and the urgency, its time to start your visit. The longer you wait, the more chance the infection has of traveling to your kidneys. But dont let that scare you! You can start an online visit at Virtuwell 24/7yes, even in the middle of the night when your bladder wont let you sleepand UTIs are very treatable.

How Do I Know If I Have A Uti Or A Kidney Infection

It may feel like all urinary tract infections are the same they all feel pretty uncomfortable! But a UTI can occur anywhere within your urinary system and its important to know what to look for in case it travels to your kidneys. Read on to learn more about UTIs and Kidney Infections, and how to tell the difference between them.

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Bladder Infection Is A Specific Type Of Urinary Tract Infection

Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder. Most cystitis is from bacterial infections involving the bladder and less commonly may be the result of yeast infections, viral infections, chemical irritants of the bladder, or for unknown reasons . Bladder infection is a type of urinary tract infection . This review will specifically address infectious cystitis.

The urine in the bladder is normally free of bacteria . However, bacteria may be present in the bladder but not cause inflammation or symptoms of an infection. This is called asymptomatic bacteriuria and is not cystitis.

Cystitis can be complicated or uncomplicated. Uncomplicated cystitis is a bladder infection in a healthy person with a structurally and functionally normal urinary tract. A complicated bladder infection is one that occurs in association with factors that increase the chance of developing a bacterial infection and decrease the chance of antibiotic therapy being effective. Such abnormalities include obstruction from stones, congenital blockages, urethral strictures, and prostate enlargement.

The Common Link Between Uti And Kidney Infections

The urinary tract in our bodies includes the bladder, kidneys and urethra. When any bacteria invades and infects the tract, it leads to urinary tract infection or UTI. Infection in the kidneys, bladder and urethra is a part of urinary tract infection. The most common kidney infection is Pyelonephritis, a bladder infection is Cystitis and urethra infection is Urethritis. All of these come under UTI. But when a person is diagnosed with a UTI, that doesnt mean he has either of the aforesaid infections. Amongst all kinds of UTIs, kidney infection is potentially severe and can cause complications if not treated on time. Therefore, a person must know whether they have UTI or a kidney infection to save their kidneys on time.

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What Is A Uti

UTI or urinary tract infection can be defined as infections involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The majority of UTIs are isolated attacks but in 10% of the cases, there is a possibility of having recurrent attacks. Of that 10%, 20% is because of relapses and the remaining 80% is because of re-infections. UTIs have been recognized as the commonest cause of .

Difference Between Overactive Bladder Urinary Incontinence And Urinary Tract Infection

Overactive bladder , also known as overactive bladder syndrome, is a condition where there is a frequent feeling of needing to urinate to a degree that it negatively affects a persons life. The frequent need to urinate may occur during the day, at night, or both. Risk factors include obesity, caffeine, and constipation. Poorly controlled diabetes, poor functional mobility, and chronic pelvic pain may worsen the symptoms. People often have the symptoms for a long time before seeking treatment and the condition is sometimes identified by caregivers. Diagnosis is based on a persons signs and symptoms and requires other problems such as urinary tract infections or neurological conditions to be excluded. The amount of urine passed during each urination is relatively small. Pain while urinating suggests that there is a problem other than overactive bladder. Specific treatment is not always required. If treatment is desired pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, and other behavioral methods are initially recommended. Weight loss in those who are overweight, decreasing caffeine consumption, and drinking moderate fluids, can also have benefits. Medications, typically of the anti-muscarinic type, are only recommended if other measures are not effective. They are no more effective than behavioral methods however, they are associated with side effects, particularly in older people.

There are four main types of incontinence:

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Kidney Infections Vs Urinary Tract Infection: What Is The Difference

Kidney infections come under the urinary tract infection category. It is developed due to untreated UTI and can cause fatal consequences.

A lot of people get confused between bladder infections and urinary tract infections. The reason behind this is that kidney infection or bladder infection is a kind of UTI. In simpler words, kidney infections come under UTI and this is why people often consider these two to be the same. Kidney infection is generally caused as a result of an untreated UTI infection and may become severe. For more specifications and differences between kidney infection and UTI, read the complete article.

Uti Vs Bladder Infection: Whats The Difference

Bladder infection and urinary tract infection are terms that frequently get tossed around, and many people can confuse the two. While bladder infections are a form of UTI, not all UTIs are bladder infections. To further add to the confusion, bladder infections are the most common type of UTI, so its understandable that the conditions often get mixed up. To better differentiate between them, its helpful to dive deeper into each condition.

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What Are The Symptoms Of A Bladder Infection Vs A Uti

Symptoms can offer clues about whether you’ve got a bladder infection specifically or a UTI somewhere else in your system. Regardless of which type you have, you’re likely to have some or all of the most common UTI symptoms, which MedlinePlus says includes:

• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Fever, tiredness, or shakiness

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Diagnosis Of Bladder Cancer

Along with the tests done if a bladder infection is suspected, a medical professional diagnosing bladder cancer will likely order or perform several more tests.

During your visit, they may perform an internal exam of the vagina or rectum to see if they can feel any lumps in your pelvic area.

They may order a set of X-rays called an intravenous pyelogram, which lets them check the kidneys, ureters, and bladder for cancers.

Its also possible the medical professional would order a biopsy of the bladder during the cystoscopy exam. This biopsy removes a sample of the inner lining of the bladder in the area they think might be cancerous. The surgeon may even remove the entire tumor.

A specialist doctor called a pathologist then looks at the cells in the biopsy sample for signs of cancer.

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Urinary Tract Infection Causes & Risk Factors

Your urinary tract can usually protect itself from infection, but certain factors increase your risk of developing a UTI.

• Being female. Women get more UTIs than men because bacteria and other infection-causing organisms can easily reach the urethra. Then they travel quickly to the bladder, which is only a short distance away. A mans urethra runs to the end of his penis so bacteria have to travel further to reach the bladder.
• Menopause and post-menopause, which cause the lining of the urethra to get thinner as estrogen levels decrease.
• Diabetes and other chronic illnesses or medications that affect your immune system and make it harder for your body to fight infections.
• Conditions that make it difficult to completely empty your bladder, such as enlarged prostate and bladder and kidney stones.
• Long-term use of catheters

When To See A Doctor

Although the body may sometimes fight off a UTI on its own, waiting for this to happen carries risks. UTIs can quickly spread, causing serious kidney infections.

A person should see a doctor for any symptoms of a UTI, particularly if they are pregnant or have an underlying health condition that affects their immune system.

A person with should go to the emergency room for immediate medical care. The symptoms of a kidney infection include:

• fever

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Preventing Utis And Yeast Infections

Urinary tract infections and yeast infections can be safely and easily treated. However, if you have experienced either of these conditions, you know just how uncomfortable they can be.

Luckily, there are some things you can do to try to prevent these infections.

• In addition to staying hydrated, proper bathroom hygiene, such as remembering to wipe from front to back, can reduce the chance of bacteria entering the urinary tract.

• Urinating after sex naturally flushes bacteria from your urinary tract that may have found their way there during intercourse.

• Avoid using douches or sprays, as they can kill good bacteria that keeps your vagina healthy.

• Wear underwear and clothing that is made from natural materials to prevent bacteria or yeast buildup.

• When exercising or after enduring a hot day, be sure to change out of sweaty clothes and shower as soon as you can.

Symptoms Of Bladder Cancer

Common symptoms of bladder cancer, on the other hand, are slightly more complex.

The most common symptom of bladder cancer is a change in the color of your urine. Your urine may become orange, pink, rusty brown, dark red, or bright red in color, which would indicate theres blood in your urine.

Blood in the urine is also a common symptom of a bladder infection, so it is one that is often misdiagnosed in women presenting with bladder cancer.

Other symptoms common in cases of bladder cancer include:

• The need to urinate more frequently, even when your bladder isnt full
• Painincluding burning, or general discomfortwhen you urinate
• Pain in the lower back, mid-back, or side
• Urinating when youre not meaning to
• Trouble getting the urine stream started
• Feeling like something is blocking the flow of urine

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Key Difference Upper Vs Lower Urinary Tract Infection

Let us first look at a brief overview of the urinary tract, before discussing the difference between upper and lower urinary tract infection.The urinary tract is the tubular system which transfers urine from the site of its production, kidneys. The urinary tract consists of bilateral ureters opening into the urinary bladder and the urethra which passes urine from the urinary bladder to the exterior. This tubular system makes a continuous passage for the urine flow. This system is lined by a special type of epithelium called urothelium. The renal pelvis which receives urine from the renal tissue and to the ureters is known as the Upper urinary tract. The urethra and the bladder storage is referred to as The Lower urinary tract. Infections of the urethra and the bladder are referred to as lower urinary tract infections. Involvement of the ureters and the kidneys is referred to as upper urinary tract infections. Therefore, the key difference between lower and upper urinary tract infections isdetermined by the anatomical involvements. However, there could be situations where the whole tract is infected causing pan urinary tract infections. Lower urinary tract infection can easily spread to involve upper tracts causing both upper and lower urinary tract infections together.

Organs Of The Urinary Tract

UTIs are usually classified as upper or lower according to where they occur along the urinary tract, although it is sometimes difficult or impossible for doctors to make such a determination:

Some doctors also consider infections of the urethra and prostate to be lower UTIs. In paired organs , infection can occur in one or both organs. UTIs can occur in children Urinary Tract Infection in Children A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection of the urinary bladder , the kidneys , or both. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria. Infants and younger… read more as well as in adults.

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