Prominent Risk Factors Associated with Bladder Infection Symptoms

Bladder infection or infection of the urinary tract is also known as cystitis. Infection in the urinary tract may occur when it is invaded by microbes. There are many risk factors that may lead to the onset of bladder infection symptoms. Bladder infection predominantly affects women. This is because women have a shorter urethra as compared to males. This in turn makes it easier for the bacteria to access the bladder.

Bladder Infection Symptoms Can Occur in Women Due To Many Factors

Psychological factors play a major role in the onset of urinary tract infection. Women experiencing post menstrual depression are at an increased risk of physiological symptoms such as urinary retention, urinary in consistence, pelvic organ prolapse and vaginal dryness. These are high risk factors that lead to the onset of bladder infection.
Pregnancy is another leading factor that poses a risk of bladder infection. Most pregnant women suffer from some type of urinary tract infection. Bladder infection symptoms may occur due to the pressure applied by the enlarging uterus on the urinary structures. Infection is triggered when there is disruption in the natural urine flow.
Risk factors leading to bladder infection in men
As compared to the general male population, bladder infection symptoms are more common in men suffering from prostate enlargement. When the normal urine flow from the bladder to the urethra is obstructed due to prostate enlargement, infection occurs in the residual urine.

High risk of urinary tract infection in the elderly

People who have been on medications for a prolonged period of time are prone to bladder infection as their immune system becomes weaker. Especially the elderly suffer from bladder infection symptoms as their muscles become weak due to aging and medications.
Increased bladder infection risk in patients
Another potential risk is posed by Foley catheters or urinary catheters. Patients who are incapacitated enough not to be able to urinate naturally are forced to use urinary catheters. These catheters make it easy for the bacteria from outside to enter the bladder. Foley catheters are used on patients suffering from conditions such as urinary inconsistence, limited mobility and severe illness, bladder dysfunction arising from neurological conditions, bladder cancer and bladder trauma, urinary retention due to obstruction in conditions such as prostate cancer, urethral scarring and prostate enlargement.
Bladder dysfunction leading to bladder infection symptoms is also common in patients suffering from nervous system diseases and paralytic conditions such as stroke and Multiple Sclerosis.
Neurogenic bladder is a condition that occurs when there is malfunction of the bladder due to abnormal control of the bladder by the nervous system. When urine is not entirely emptied from the bladder, it leads to the onset of bladder infection. When this condition leads to a more serious kidney dysfunction, it becomes necessary for the bladder to be emptied with the help of Foley catheters which in turn increases the risk of urinary tract infection.
Medical instrumentations that may cause bladder infection
Cystitis can also be caused by any other instrumentation used in and around the urinary tract. Increased risk of infection that may lead to bladder infection symptoms can be caused by medical procedures such as IUD or Intra Uterine Device placement for birth control, vaginal pessary, prostate procedures, bladder biopsy and cystoscopy are leading causes of bladder infection.
Toddlers and children are at risk too
Increased incidence of urinary tract infection in toddlers and children can be found in those with urinary tract structural abnormalities, uncircumcised males, females and Caucasians.