How Much Vitamin C Should be Taken Per Day With a Bladder Infection?
, also known as urinary tract infections or cystitis, are very common in most of the population. Almost everyone will have at least one during a lifetime. They are painful but not serious. Bladder infections only become serious when they are left untreated and worsen. They can develop into kidney infections that may require a hospital stay. Kidney infections also cause damage to your renal system and any damage to your renal system is always irreversible. Most physicians will prescribe antibiotics to treat your bladder infection, but there are also some home remedies for mild cases. If you have chronic mild bladder infections, you may consider using vitamin C to treat them.
What is a Bladder Infection
A bladder infection is an inflammation of your body's urine producing system. Bladder infections affect your urinary system, including your kidneys, bladder and urethra. These kinds of infections usually start in your urethra and travel up the urinary system, worsening as they go. Bladder infections can eventually develop into serious kidney infections. Kidney infections can require hospitalization and can do irreparable damage to your renal system. Patients who experience complicated kidney infections are at risk for permanent renal disease and failure.
Causes
Bladder infections are caused when common bacteria find their way from the skin, stool or intestinal tract into the urinary systems. The bacteria generally enter through the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves your body. It travels up the urethra to your bladder and the rest of your urinary system. Once inside, the bacteria begin to grow and multiply, attaching to your urinary tract's line and causing irritation and pain.
There are several ways for the bacteria to get inside your urinary tract. Normal sexual intercourse can spread bacteria to the urethra, especially in women because of the way female genitalia is structured. Pregnant women are prone to bladder infections because the enlarged uterus presses down on the bladder. This blocks the urinary passage and prevents urine from being emptied from the bladder. The urine sits in the bladder, providing a breeding ground for bacteria and infection. Children and the elderly are prone to these infections, too. They tend to be incontinent and spend extended time with genitals exposed to feces or stagnant urine. The bacteria found in their waste may reenter their bodies through the urethra and cause a bladder infection.
Symptoms
Painful urination is the number one symptom of a bladder infection. You may feel a sharp, intense pain when you try to urinate. You may also experience a burning sensation in your urethra or bladder as you urinate. Other symptoms of a bladder infection may include either an increased need to urinate or a sudden difficulty urinating. Bloody, cloudy or smelly urine are also indicators that there is a problem in your urinary system. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your physician immediately for a diagnosis.
Prescription Treatment
Most physicians will treat a bladder infection with a course of antibiotics. Bactrim, Ciprofloxacin or Augmentin are generally prescribed for simple, uncomplicated infectons. Bladder infections with obstructions are more complicated and may be treated with Ampicillin, Imipenem or Piperacillin-tazobactam. Depending on the severity of the infection and the brand of antibiotics, your physician will prescribe your medication for anywhere from one day to two weeks. Men don't usually respond well to the short-term treatments, so they are generally prescribed long-term antibiotics.
It should be noted that you will start to feel better within a few days of treatment. When that happens, patients are often tempted to stop taking the antibiotics, but you should always finish the entire prescription. Your symptoms may be gone but the bacteria may still be present and you need to finish the antibiotics to completely remove them from your body. Always consult your physician before taking any prescription medication and follow the instructions exactly.
Home Remedies
Vitamin C can play an important role in your recovery from a bladder infection. Many physicians believe that increasing the acidity of your urine will kill the bacteria in your urinary system. Some suggest taking vitamin C supplements to achieve this. The supplements are a better source of the vitamin C than oranges or orange juice because of the way the body metabolizes them. At least 1000 milligrams of vitamin C daily is suggested to help fight off an infection.
You can also speed up your recovery from bladder infections by drinking lots of water to flush the bacteria from your urinary tract. Cranberries and other foods with high concentrations of antioxidants also prevent bacteria from attaching to the walls of the bladder and urethra. The bacteria are then flushed out of the urinary system when you urinate.
Prevent future infections by being careful to avoid spreading bacteria to your urethra. Urinate as soon as you feel the urge because stagnant urine attracts bacteria. Always wipe front to back after a bowel movement to prevent bacteria from finding its way into your urinary tract. Clean your genitals thoroughly with warm water and mild soap at least once a day and after sexual intercourse.
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