Urinary Tract and Bladder Infection

The burning during urination. The constant urge, even though the bladder is almost empty. The stabbing pain in the lower abdomen that drives you to the toilet at regular intervals — and then only a few drops come. Anyone who has had a urinary tract or bladder infection knows how tormenting this symptom is. It has something irritating, something gnawing, something that gives no rest.

From a medical standpoint, the situation is clearly described: bacteria, usually Escherichia coli from the body's own gut flora, ascend via the urethra and colonise the bladder lining. The tissue becomes inflamed, reacts with swelling and pain. Women are particularly affected because their urethra is shorter. Antibiotics help — often quickly, sometimes recurrently. And yet many are left with a question: why now? Why again? Why me?