Cause Of Bladder Infections

Cause Of Bladder Infections

A majority of bladder infections are caused by fecal contamination, since bacteria are usually found in the intestines and the skin around rectal and vaginal areas. After bowel movements, if one wipes from back to front, the bacteria from the rectal area have a good chance to reach the urethra. Therefore, lack of proper hygiene can be the single most important cause of bladder infections.

In such cases, the bacteria solely responsible for the infection is E. Coli (Escherichia coli). These bacteria pass on through the narrow urine canal that connects the outside rectal area to the bladder and cause the infection. Bladder infections are much more common in females than males.

There are many other ways for the bacteria to get into the urethra as well. For example, sexual intercourse causes the bacteria in the vaginal area to be pushed into the urethra, which then causes irritation in the bladder. Frequent rubbing of the vaginal area and wearing tight clothes can also lead to bladder infections.

Holding your urine for long periods can also result in the bladder getting infected. Frequent bubble baths can also cause irritation of the vaginal area in females. The vaginal area should be kept clean and dry, and prolonged use of nylon underwear, wet swimsuits or even tight jeans can cause infection

Sexual positions that irritate your urethra or bladder can lead to infections. A few lubricants can also cause infection. Also, lack of proper hygiene among males and females during intercourse can cause the bacteria to enter the vagina.

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Is It Bad Breath or Gall Bladder Disease?

Is It Bad Breath or Gall Bladder Disease

Could your bad breath be a sign of gall bladder disease

Sometimes a particularly strong case of bad breath can really signal another ailment. While the average case of bad breath usually arises from conditions within the mouth, especially offensive or unusual-smelling bad breath may warrant further investigation.

How can your gall bladder relate to bad breath? Your gall bladder produces strong digestive juices, which empty into your stomach. When the gall bladder builds up mineral stones, the bile ducts can become blocked. Infection and great discomfort can result, causing a number of unpleasant symptoms, such as fleeting pain, nausea and even vomiting, especially after eating a fatty meal. Another possible telltale effect of gall bladder blockage is bad breath.

If you are experiencing abdominal trouble and you suspect your bad breath may be a sign of greater trouble ahead, compare your symptoms to these warning signs of gall bladder disease.

Internal symptoms of gall bladder disease:

1. Agonizing pain in the upper right abdomen -- especially after a heavy meal. The pain can last from minutes to hours.

2. Sudden fever.

3. Nausea and/or vomiting.

4. Clay-colored stools. The lighter color results from insufficient bile (that is, blocked gall bladder ducts).

Outward signs of gall bladder disease:

1. Excessively bad breath.

2. Itchy skin rashes.

3. A white-coated tongue.

4. Offensive body odor and yellowish skin.

5. Yellow, discolored eyes, and dark circles beneath the eyes.

If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms, it's time to consult with your physician.

Bad breath by itself does not mean you have gall bladder disease -- it's uncommon for bad breath to arise from anything other than poor oral hygiene. However, if your bad breath is particularly offensive, and coupled with some of the more noticeable signs of gall bladder disease, especially excruciating abdominal pain, further testing is called for. Ask your physician to diagnose whether it's simply bad breath -- or gall bladder disease.

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What to Expect After Gallbladder Removal Surgery

What to Expect After Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Not everyone recovers the same way after gallbladder removal surgery. But generally speaking, individuals who expect a dramatic change after their operation often get a surprise. In fact, many people find themselves dealing with the same symptoms they felt before their gallbladder was removed.

When this happens, doctors refer to it as postcholecystectomy syndrome. Cholecystectomy is the medical name for gallbladder removal. Medical researchers have found that approximately 40 percent of those who have had gallbladder removal surgery go through postcholecystectomy syndrome after their operation.

Why does this happenall It's because the bile duct continues to accumulate bile. The bile duct is a tube that carries bile between the liver and the gallbladder.

In the Days Following Your Gallbladder Removal Surgery

Although not everyone experiences postcholecystectomy syndrome, there are some things almost everyone can expect after their operation.

There's bound to be some swelling and bruising in the area of the surgery. There's really nothing surprising about this, even if you've had laparoscopic surgery (which is much less invasive than a large open incision).

Shortly after your surgery, you may also experience some discomfort caused by the air that was puffed into your abdomen during the operation. The reason your doctor inserts air in this way is to open up space to manipulate his or her instruments. Certain pain medications prescribed by your doctor will help ease any discomfort this causes.

Moving around may become something of a challenge - especially sitting down or getting up. You probably won't find using the bathroom to be comfortable for a couple of days. Your abdominal muscles will need some time to recover - several days at least.

On the subject of bathrooms: be prepared to deal with some bloating, gas and diarrhea temporarily. Some patients get constipation instead of diarrhea. This happens infrequently, but there's no reason to be concerned if it happens to you.

Talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to prescribe something.

Your digestive system may be unpredictable for a while too. This is normal. You'll probably do well eating low fat or fat-free, light foods only. Low cholesterol foods and cholesterol-free foods are usually recommended.

Most patients also do better if they forgo large meals for a while and concentrate on eating smaller ones that are easier for the digestive system to handle. But definitely make sure you eat, because again, your body is recovering from a trauma. It needs fuel to regain its strength.

What to Expect in the Weeks Afterward

As the weeks pass, you can start testing your digestive system to see how it responds to certain foods. Start introducing heavier foods if you wish and pay close attention to what happens.

Getting some exercise is usually a good idea, but be careful. It's important to use discretion. Remember that you have stitches and you need to be careful not to damage them. Follow your doctor's recommendations closely on this.

Furthermore, be careful taking baths of showers until your stitches have been removed. Generally, it's best to keep stitches dry.

In most cases, your doctor will want your first follow up appointment to happen within a week to ten days. He or she will probably want to see you again 4-5 weeks later.

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How to Recognize the Symptoms of Gall Bladder Disease

Due to inappropriate diet and obesity, many people suffer from gall bladder disease. Gall bladder disease commonly affects overweight people as a result of high blood cholesterol levels. The consumption of foods that are rich in fat also contributes to the development of gall bladder disease and many people suffer from gall bladder affections as a consequence of inappropriate diet.

Gall bladder disease is usually caused by gallstones, solid structures formed from cholesterol, calcium and bile salts. Gallstones can cause cholecystitis (inflammation and swelling of the gall bladder), choledocholithiasis (occurs when gallstones accumulate inside the bile duct) cholangitis (infection of the gall bladder and bile duct) and pancreatitis.

Judging by the seriousness of gall bladder disease and its rate of development, there are two forms of the disorder: chronic cholecystitis (biliary colic) and acute cholecystitis. In the chronic form, the symptoms of gall bladder disease are milder and have a recidivating character. In the acute forms, the symptoms of gall bladder disease are very intense and in some cases suggest the development of complications.

The generalized symptoms of gall bladder disease are: abdominal pain, indigestion, vomiting, nausea, bloating of the abdomen, discomfort and pain when ingesting fatty foods. These symptoms of gall bladder disease are common in patients with chronic cholecystitis. However, apart from gall bladder pain, many patients may have no other symptoms of gall bladder disease. Gall bladder pain is characteristic to all people who suffer from gall bladder disease and it usually occurs after meals. This major symptom of gall bladder disease usually intensifies at night and after physical effort.

Persistent bitter taste in the mouth, bad breath and headaches can also be symptoms of gall bladder disease. Other symptoms of gall bladder disease are constipation and discolored stools.

In its acute form, the symptoms of gall bladder disease are accompanied by fever, sweating and severe pain attacks. Pain attacks are very intense in acute cholecystitis and they may last for a few hours. Pain episodes usually occur after meals and at night. The pain usually occurs in the abdominal region, the mid back region and under the right shoulder. Fever suggests the aggravation of gall bladder disease, occurring due to bacterial infection. Other symptoms of gall bladder disease that may indicate the development of complications are: yellowish aspect of the skin and eyes, chills, sweating and ongoing abdominal pain.

Gall bladder disease can become serious if it not treated appropriately. It is very important to pay attention to the symptoms of gall bladder disease in order to timely spot the presence of the disorder. If the symptoms of gall bladder disease don't ameliorate after medical treatment and appropriate diet, surgery may be the only option left. However, gall bladder surgery is uncomplicated, involves minimal risks and allows patients to recover quickly after the surgical intervention. Many people with recidivating pain often decide to have their gall bladder removed even if their condition is not serious. Gall bladder surgery is a very effective way of overcoming the intense symptoms of gall bladder disease and it is also considered to be very safe and quick to recover from.

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