Bladder infections are a form of urinary tract infections; besides the bladder, the urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters and urethra. The National Institutes of Health reports urinary tract infections, also called UTIs, are the second most common infection in the body. Symptoms of a UTI include pain during urination, cloudy or dark colored urine as well as an increased urge to urinate. The most common UTIs form in the bladder as well as the urethra, reports MayoClinic.com. Common UTI treatment involves taking antibiotics; however, a variety of non-prescription treatments and remedies aid in symptom relief when fighting a bladder infection.
Bladder Pain Medication
Phenazopyridine numbs the bladder and urethra while urinating. Drugstores and pharmacies sell the medication without a prescription. Patients with bladder infections should be aware the medication does not treat the actual bladder infection, but only relieves a patient of symptoms, according to Drugs.com. The medication changes the color of a patient's urine to bright orange or blue. Patients should not wear contacts when taking the medication because staining may occur. Drugs.com recommends patients only take the medication for two days, unless directed by a medical professional.
Fluids
Increasing fluids flushes out bacteria from the bladder and dilutes urine, according to MayoClinic.com. Bladder infections are caused by E. coli bacteria. The longer the bacteria stay in the bladder the faster they multiply. According to MotherNature.com, E. coli bacteria double every 20 minutes. The clinic advises patients to avoid sodas, coffee and alcohol until the bladder infection resolves. The liquids increase urinary tract irritation and dehydration.
Drinking cranberry juice decreases the bacteria from binding to tissue in the bladder, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A person should drink 16 oz. of sugar-free cranberry juice daily to fight the effects of a UTI, suggests Urology Channel at HealthCommunities.com. A person should drink enough liquid until the urine runs clear; discolored urine shows not enough liquid intake is present.
Pain Relief
A person experiencing a bladder infection often feels pain in the lower abdomen. A heating pad or hot water bottle applied to the area temporarily relieves discomfort. MotherNature.com advises patients to take a hot bath to stop discomfort. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin can relieve inflammation and pain associated with the bladder infection. The less inflammation to the infected site, the less pain a person will be in, according to MotherNature.com.
