Bladder infection is most common in women and ‘it is estimated that one woman in three will have a UTI before the age of 24, and that half of all women will have at least one UTI during their lifetime. The bladder collects and stores urine from the kidney until it is ready to be released. The infection is regularly caused by bacteria and can be treated. There are a couple of ways bladder infections or cystitis can be dealt with depending on its severity. If the infection is only mild the pain can be treated with over the counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Bacteria are the most frequent cause of bladder infection and can be dealt by drinking plenty of water and fluids with acidity regulators including bicarbonate of soda or potassium citrate. However, for more serious infections antibiotics need to be prescribed and taken for three to seven day to ensure the infection has cleared up. The most common antibiotics prescribed are nitrofurantoin or trimethoprime/sulfamethoxazole.

Bladder Infection and cancer symptoms

Symptoms of bladder infection are similar to that of bladder cancer. It may be difficult to differentiate between the two and therefore a trip to the doctors is recommended.  The symptoms of bladder cancer include ‘a burning feeling when passing urine, a need to pass urine frequently, feeling the need to urinate but not being able to, pain in your pelvis, blood in urine. The first sign of cancer is usually blood in the urine. The amount of blood differs however and the discolouration of the urine varies. It may be so little that there is no change or a lot that it is red or orange.  The less common symptoms are the pelvic pains, swollen legs and unexplained weight loss. Bladder screening should be taken for people in the high risk category as the cancer commonly reaches its advanced stages before these symptoms are detected. Older males who smoke fall into this group and screening may be essential for their health as curing bladder cancer in its advanced stage is difficult and commonly unsuccessful.

Cancer of the bowel is similar to bladder cancer in that the cancer may be mistaken for ‘less serious medical problems, such as piles. The bowel or the intestines function is to absorb water and nutrients from the food ingested and produce stools. There are no obvious symptoms of the cancer when it first develops but as it continues to progress blood present in stools or rectal bleeding is common. As it continues the bleeding in the bowel can lead to anaemia, hence breathless and fatigue follow, as there is not enough oxygen in the body. Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss or pain in the abdomen can also occur. A change in bowel habits such as diarrhoea, constipation or frequent visits to the toilet are another indication.