A bladder infection is also known as a urinary tract infection, or UTI. A kidney infection is also a urinary tract infection, which is known as pyelonephritis. Bladder infections occur more often than kidney infections.

A bladder infection is also known as cystitis. Simply put, cystitis is an inflammation inside the bladder.

A bladder infection grows when bacteria finds its way into the urinary tract. Most people think there’s already a lot of  of bacteria in the urinary tract already, but actually there isn’t.  The bladder collects a variety of waste materials and salts, but normally there’s no bacteria in it .

When bacteria gets into the bladder, it can begin to begin to spread and a bladder infection results. approximately 80 percent of bladder infections are caused by Escherichia coli, or E. coli. This bacteria can originate in a number of sources, but it’s typically found in the intestines and on skin surfaces around the rectal areas and around the vaginal areas in women.

When bacteria is transferred from one of these areas, or from an outside source, into the urethra (the narrow canal that urine passes through during urination), it can then make its way into the bladder. Since this is more likely to occur with women, more women tend to have bladder infections than men. Some women, in effect, experience repeated infections, and approximately 50 percent  women will have at least one urinary tract infection during their lifetime.

Tight fitting clothing can also help force bacteria up the urethra.

Signs of bladder infections are fairly obvious: frequent urination, a burning sensation while urinating (this is also known as (dysuria), and bladder spasms, and/or a mild fever. Someone with a bladder infection also feels compelled to visit the bathroom to urinate often, even though very little urine comes out when they try. Cloudy, dark or bloody urine, accompanied by an unpleasant foul odor, can also be a sign of a bladder infection. A mild fever is also possible.

A bladder infection can be decidedly uncomfortable, but a bladder infection is usually fairly simple to treat with antibiotics that reduce the symptoms. For related information,click on bladder pain.