Bladder infections rarely lead to complications but if left untreated, they can lead to more serious complications. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bladder or urinary tract infections are the most common type of health care-associated infection, accounting for more than 30 percent of infections reported by hospitals. Causes related to bladder infections include bacterial infection, sexual activity and waiting too long to urinate.
Bacterial Infection
Bladder infections can be caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and urinary tract causing inflammation. According to the Mayo Clinic, infection of the urethra--or urethritis--can occur when the gastrointestinal bacteria make the short trip from the anus to the urethra. Bacteria from the bowel are often found on the skin close to the rectum or in the vagina. When the bacteria enters urethra, it can spread through the urinary tract leading to symptoms such as burning while urinating and a need to urinate more frequently. Many times the bacteria can make its way up toward the bladder causing further infection. This condition is known as cystitis.
Sexual Activity
Sexual activity or intercourse is another common way for bacteria to enter the urinary tract. During sexual activity, bacteria in the vagina can be massaged into the urethra causing infection. Sexual activity can aggravate the soft tissue in the genital area making it easier for bacteria to slip through tears and cuts. According to the National Kidney and Urological Information Clearinghouse, if the bacteria travel up through the ureters to the kidneys, a kidney infection can develop. The infection is usually accompanied by pain and fever. A kidney infection can be much more serious than bladder infections. The Mayo Clinic reports that half of all women will develop a urinary tract infection at some point during their lives, and many will experience more than one. One reason is because women have a shorter urethra, which lessens distance bacteria must travel to infect the bladder.
Prolonged Urination
Another cause of bladder infections, or UTI, is waiting too long to urinate. The bladder is a muscle that expands to keep urine in and contracts when the urine is released. Waiting too long from the time you first experience the need to urinate can cause the bladder to stretch beyond its capability. As time passes, the bladder muscle becomes significantly weaker. A weak bladder muscle may not be able to empty completely causing some urine to be left in the bladder. According to the National Kidney and Urological Information Clearinghouse, normal urine contains no bacteria. When urine is left in the bladder it is more likely to become infected with bacteria. This can enhance the possibility of developing a urinary tract infection or bladder infection.
