Bladder infections, also called urinary tract infections, or UTIs, can be contracted by both males and females of all ages, but are most common in females. Bladder infections may become more serious if the infection spreads to the kidneys. Many people choose to treat their bladder infections -- or their child's infections - with antibiotics, but there are alternate treatments available.
Symptoms
Typical bladder infection symptoms may include a strong urge to urinate, painful or uncomfortable urination, cloudy or bloody urine, foul-smelling urine, small amounts of urine, and pain in the pelvic area. If your child complains of or exhibits any of these symptoms, see your doctor to confirm a diagnosis. A simple urine test should determine if an infection is present. Possible treatment options may be discussed after a positive diagnosis.
Antibiotics
A mainstream treatment for a bladder infection is a course of antibiotics. The type of antibiotics will depend upon the type of bacterium in the urine and the child's health condition. Common antibiotics prescribed are Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Nitrofurantoin, and Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. The doctor may also prescribe a urinary tract analgesic to help relieve the discomfort caused by the infection. Follow your doctor's advice and ensure your child takes the entire course, even if he or she feels better after a few days. You may want to provide your child with probiotics during the course of antibiotics and for a couple of weeks after, to help re-establish his "good" gut flora -- the beneficial microorganisms that exist in the intestines which help digest foods, train the immune system, produce vitamins and prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria.
Water and Cranberry Juice
Water helps to dilute the urine and also helps flush the bacteria from the bladder. This can help clear the infection out faster. Cranberry juice -- unsweetened -- carries the property of killing off bacteria in the bladder. If your child does not drink juice, or dislikes the taste of cranberry juice, you may give him or her cranberry extract.
D-Mannose
D-Mannose is a form of sugar -- similar to glucose -- that sticks to e-coli cells. When the D-Mannose coats the e-coli cells, they can no longer stick to the bladder wall and are flushed from the body during urination. According to remedy-bladder-infection.com, approximately 90 percent of all e-coli infections are cured with D-Mannose. D-Mannose may be taken with little to no effect on blood glucose levels.
