Bladder infections are at the very least uncomfortable and at the most dangerous if they spread to your kidneys. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, over half of women will get a bladder infection at some point in their lives. The best treatment for this infection is prevention, of course, and one tactic is eliminating bladder irritants like black tea.
About Bladder Infections and UTIs
Bladder infections are also known as urinary tract infections, or UTIs, and are caused by bacteria that enter the urinary tract through the urethra and start to grow and spread. Typical symptoms include painful and burning urination, increased urinary frequency and urgency even though you may pass very little, pelvic pain, abnormal-looking urine with a foul smell, bloody urine, nausea, and fever. These latter symptoms are indicative that the infection has spread to your kidneys, which can be dangerous, according to MayoClinic.com.
Risk Factors
Women are more likely to get bladder infections than are men, but other factors can also contribute. For instance, failing to drink enough water; drinking tea, coffee, sodas, and alcohol often; being sexually active; and holding your urine for an extended period of time can increase your risk of getting an infection, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Black Tea
The primary irritant in black tea is caffeine. According to MayoClinic.com, caffeine is a stimulant that can irritate the lining of your bladder and make it more prone to infection. Likewise, caffeine is a diuretic, which can cause dehydration. And dehydration can increase your chances of getting an infection.
Prevention and Treatment
The only real treatment for bladder infections is antibiotics, which you can get from a doctor. However, preventing infections is the best route. To do this, drink at least eight glasses of water a day, avoid drinking irritating substances like black tea, drink cranberry juice and practice good hygiene by wiping from front to back, suggests PubMed Health.
Member Comments