Bladder infection treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions
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Can a doctor treat a bladder infection on Maple?
Yes. In most cases, a doctor will be able to diagnose your bladder infection by discussing your symptoms. Once the doctor has done an evaluation, they will be able to offer a diagnosis and recommend an appropriate course of treatments, with any necessary prescriptions for bladder infection medications.
If the doctor suspects there could be a more serious underlying cause for your bladder infection, they may suggest that you go to a medical clinic for a physical exam or further testing to determine the cause of the bladder infection.
Can I get a prescription on Maple?
Yes, our physicians can prescribe medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.
You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.
What is a bladder infection?
A bladder infection occurs when bacteria gets into the urethra (the tube from which urine exits the body), and then travels back up into the bladder.
Once it’s reached the bladder, bacteria attach to the walls of the bladder where they quickly multiply, preventing the body’s natural defences from fighting off the infection.
This is the most common form of urinary tract infection (UTI).
What are the symptoms of a bladder infection?
Bladder infection symptoms include:
- Increased urination frequency
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- Feeling as though you constantly have to urinate
- Foul smelling urine
- Pressure or cramping in the lower back or abdomen
What causes a bladder infection?
The most frequent bladder infection causes are bacteria (usually E. coli) getting passed into the urethra to the bladder, where they multiply and create an infection.
Not urinating after sexual intercourse or wiping back to front, where particles of stool containing harmful bacteria are accidentally passed into the urethra, are two of the most common infection methods.
Bladder infection in men occurs far less often than women. This is because the urethra is much shorter in women, making it easier for bacteria to make it into the bladder.
However, if bladder infections symptoms in women re-occur frequently (more than three times in a year), or happen repeatedly in men or children, there could be an underlying issue other than bacterial transmission.
How is a bladder infection diagnosed?
Typically, a doctor will be able to offer a diagnosis based on the bladder infection symptoms you’re experiencing or through a physical examination.
If the doctor believes there could be underlying bladder infection causes outside of the usual contamination sources, they may request additional testing including:
- Imaging (ultrasound, MRI or CT scan)
- Retrograde urethrography (using dye to determine issues with the urethra)
- Intravenous urogram (using dye to take images of the kidneys, bladder and ureters
- Cystoscopy (using a thin tube camera to look into the urethra)
- Voiding cystourethrography (using dye in the bladder to see if any urine is flowing backwards into your kidneys)
How is a bladder infection treated?
Bladder infection treatment will vary depending on the severity of the infection.
Mild bladder infections will usually go away on their own, within a few days. More serious infections may require bladder infection antibiotics.
What is the difference between bladder infection and UTI?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a family of infections covering the bladder, kidneys, urethra and ureters. Some of these infections in other areas cause similar problems to bladder infection symptoms, which is why your doctor may recommend additional testing if they aren’t certain of the specific source of your issues.
Bladder infections are the most common form of UTI, especially in women.
What is Maple?
With Maple, you can start talking to a doctor about your symptoms in a matter of minutes. We’re a healthcare app for fast, convenient 24/7 access to Canadian doctors.
You simply log in, tap a button to request a consultation, and we’ll immediately connect you to a doctor via live chat or video. You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.
Our doctors can assess symptoms, and provide treatment, including prescriptions as necessary.
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At 1:30 am, I realized I had a UTI and was desperate for help. I went online and within ten minutes, I had my prescription faxed to my pharmacy. This service gave me peace of mind.
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If it wasn't for this service, I would be clogging up the emergency rooms for a prescription refill. A much needed service in my area.
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