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Suggest Treatment For Bladder Infection And Cloudy Urine
Question: Hello - I believe I have a bladder infection. Sunday I noticed a slight odor in my urine and it was slightly cloudy. Today (Monday) I think I feel a little irritation when I urinate and maybe a little upset in my bladder. I started drinking cranberry juice and taking cranberry capsules on Sunday and drinking lots of water. Right now we are having a major snowstorm and are getting over 10 inches of snow. I can't get out and most doctor's offices and the walk-in clinic are closed. Is there anything more I can do. Thanks for any help you can give me. - XXXX
Brief Answer:
Infection should be confirmed and treated with antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the symptoms do sound like a lower urinary tract infection (cystitis). Cranberry juice helps prevent cystitis but it can't be used for treatment. If you have no alternative treatment then it's better than nothing.
If you can't access a lab to give a urinalysis and perhaps a urine culture then the infection cannot be confirmed. In men further diagnostic evaluation is needed and you should do it afterwards, when you can.
If you have access to antibiotics then taking an antibiotic may help. Commonly used antibiotics for urinary tract infections are quinolones (ciprofloxacin for example) and cephalosporines (cefuroxime for example). If you're not allergic to any of them, and have not taken it for the last 3 months, you can take it until you have access to laboratory testing.
If you don't have antibiotics or don't want to use them until the diagnosis is established (which is what I recommend) you can go on using the cranberry juice and drinking water (just don't bloat yourself because you may cause electrolyte imbalance).
I'm afraid that antibiotics are the only permanent solution to your problem.
I hope you find my answer helpful!
If you'd like further details, please specify them in a follow-up question.
Kind Regards!
Infection should be confirmed and treated with antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the symptoms do sound like a lower urinary tract infection (cystitis). Cranberry juice helps prevent cystitis but it can't be used for treatment. If you have no alternative treatment then it's better than nothing.
If you can't access a lab to give a urinalysis and perhaps a urine culture then the infection cannot be confirmed. In men further diagnostic evaluation is needed and you should do it afterwards, when you can.
If you have access to antibiotics then taking an antibiotic may help. Commonly used antibiotics for urinary tract infections are quinolones (ciprofloxacin for example) and cephalosporines (cefuroxime for example). If you're not allergic to any of them, and have not taken it for the last 3 months, you can take it until you have access to laboratory testing.
If you don't have antibiotics or don't want to use them until the diagnosis is established (which is what I recommend) you can go on using the cranberry juice and drinking water (just don't bloat yourself because you may cause electrolyte imbalance).
I'm afraid that antibiotics are the only permanent solution to your problem.
I hope you find my answer helpful!
If you'd like further details, please specify them in a follow-up question.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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