Question from a child:
I feel like I need the toilet all the time, even though I have just been. My mum said that I have got a chill, but I'm worried. Can you help me?
Answer from Doctor:
If you are peeing a lot more than you normally do, it might be the sign of a bladder infection, however you really need to see a doctor to get a diagnosis.
Other symptoms of a bladder infection are: a pain or stinging when peeing, dark or cloudy pee, and feeling sore in the lower back or tummy, although you may not get all of these symptoms.
Causes of bladder infections
A bladder infection is caused when bacteria from outside the body gets into the bladder via tubing that carries pee to the outside of your body.
Women tend to get bladder infections more than men because their anus is closer to their urethra (where the pee comes out).
A bladder infection can be caused by lots of things – from not wiping yourself from front to back after going to the toilet, to an infection like cystitis, just to name two.
Your doctor can tell if you have a bladder infection by taking a sample of your pee, and after that the treatment you receive will depend on the cause of the infection.
Treatment
A mild infection may clear up by itself in a few days, but other infections may require antibiotics (medicine) to help speed up the process.
You can help the infection by drinking lots of fluids (a large glass every hour) to flush out your bladder. Avoid coffee, tea and citrus drinks like fresh orange juice as this can make the sensation worse. The best thing to drink is cranberry juice, which can really ease the symptoms.
Right now, it’s important for you to see your GP to get a proper diagnosis, and they can also give you more help and information.
