Bladder infections -- also known as urinary tract infections, UTIs or cystitis -- are common bacterial infections. Having a bladder infection is a painful and unpleasant experience that most individuals would like to end as quickly as possible. To heal a bladder infection, you should stay clear of coffee while receiving treatment. Coffee cannot cause a bladder infection, but it can intensify your symptoms.
Bladder Infections
The University of Maryland Medical Center indicates that at least one half of females will experience a UTI -- or bladder infection -- at some point in time. Males are unlikely to experience bladder infections. Bladder infections are also common in pregnant women and those with diabetes. Tumors, holding your urine for extended periods of time, having a history of urinary tract infections, using a diaphragm for birth control and using irritating cleansing products can also lead to bladder infections. Symptoms of a bladder infection include pain and burning during urination, the frequent urge to urinate, cloudy urine, foul-smelling urine, voiding little urine at a time and pink or cola-colored urine.
Treatment
Bladder infections are not a serious condition, but can spread to your kidneys if left untreated. You will need to seek medical attention if you suspect that you have a bladder infection. Visit with your family physician or an urgent care facility. At your doctor's appointment, a medical history and brief physical exam will be performed. You will also be asked to provide a urine sample. If you do have a bladder infection, you will be placed on an antibiotic. Your doctor may also advise you to take over-the-counter pain medications, drink plenty of fluids and avoid sexual intercourse until all of your symptoms are gone.
Coffee
Upon diagnosis with a bladder infection, your doctor may advise that you avoid drinking coffee. Coffee -- along with other products that contain caffeine -- cannot cause or cure a bladder infection. However, the caffeine found in coffee can make your symptoms appear worse than they really are. Caffeine is a stimulant that will increase your urge to urinate -- causing you more pain. Coffee can also irritate your bladder tissue and cause the bacteria that causes a bladder infection to stick to the walls of your bladder. Coffee should be avoided until you have completed your course of antibiotics.
Fluids
Fluids -- without caffeine -- are important in recovering from a bladder infection. Drinking plenty of fluids can help to dilute your urine, which can make urination more comfortable as you wait for your antibiotics to take effect. Staying hydrated can also help to flush your body of toxins and bacteria naturally. With a bladder infection, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends drinking six to eight glasses of water per day. As an alternative to water, you can drink cranberry juice and other berry juices. These juices contain vitamin C, which can help your body fight infection. Cranberries are also antioxidants, which can prevent bacteria from forming in your bladder tissue.
