Guys Get Urinary Tract Infections

How Are Urinary Tract Infections Treated

If you are a healthy adult man or a woman who is not pregnant, a few days of antibiotic pills will usually cure your urinary tract infection. If you are pregnant, your healthcare provider will prescribe a medicine that is safe for you and the baby. Usually, symptoms of the infection go away 1 to 2 days after you start taking the medicine. Its important that you follow your healthcare providers instructions for taking the medicine, even if you start to feel better. Skipping pills could make the treatment less effective.

Your healthcare provider may also suggest a medicine to numb your urinary tract and make you feel better while the antibiotic starts to work. The medicine makes your urine turn bright orange, so dont be alarmed by the color when you urinate.

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Symptoms Of Urinary Tract Infection

Patients with urinary tract infections often have a burning sensation during urination. This is typically accompanied by an intense urge to urinate that wont go away, along with frequent trips to the bathroom which only result in a small amount of urine being passed. Urine may appear cloudy or have blood mixed in, giving it a pink to brownish color. Sufferers of a urinary tract infection may exhibit flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and body chills.

Should I Drink Cranberry Juice For A Uti

For those who are wondering, does drinking cranberry juice really help UTIs go away? few studies show any proof.

Cranberry juice may stop bacteria from clinging to your bladder wall, Dr. Bajic says. But because its acidic it will aggravate your urge to urinate. You can drink it if you want but cranberry juice doesnt work on UTIs as well as antibiotics and proper UTI prevention.

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How Are Utis Diagnosed

Only a health care provider can treat urinary tract infections. The first thing a doctor will do is confirm that a person has a UTI by taking a clean-catch urine specimen. At the doctor’s office, you’ll be asked to clean your genital area with disposable wipes and then pee into a sterile cup.

The sample may be used for a urinalysis or a urine culture . Knowing what bacteria are causing the infection can help your doctor choose the best treatment.

Vitamin C Kills Harmful Bacteria

Foods and fruits rich in vitamin C boosts immunity and prevents the growth of harmful bacteria in the urinary tract. It also makes the urine acidic enough to kill the infection-cause. So, any man who is already suffering from urinary tract infection must have foods that are enriched with vitamin C. Mango, papaya, strawberries, watermelon, kiwi, grapefruit, orange, berries, pineapple, cantaloupe are some of the fruits that are the rich sources of vitamin C. Other than these, you should also make broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, and tomatoes integral to your regular diet. This way, you will keep yourself safe from the troubles of urinary tract infections.

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Home Remedies For Urinary Tract Infections In Men

Will a UTI go away on its own? Minor, uncomplicated UTIs may be resolved by the body without additional treatment. Home remedies may help in this process, and can also be used while taking antibiotics. You can take several steps to maintain your comfort and ensure that all the bacteria are eliminated from your body such as:

• Drink more water. This dilutes your urine and encourages the flushing out of bacteria from your urinary tract.
• Avoid alcohol, coffee, citrus juice, sugary sodas, and spicy foods. All of these may irritate your bladder and contribute to your frequent, urgent urinating.
• Use a heating pad or hot water bottle. Using a warm heating pad on your abdomen can help with the pain and discomfort.
• Quit smoking. Smoking is one of the main contributors to bladder cancer.
• Drink cranberry juice. Some studies suggest that cranberry juice can help with UTIs by preventing bacteria from sticking to the walls of your urinary tract. Other studies are inconclusive or suggest otherwise, but if you think drinking cranberry juice is helping you, then by all means drink it. Just watch your calorie intake, and avoid drinking cranberry juice if youre taking any blood-thinning medication, like aspirin or warfarin.

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Are Any Tests Needed

A urine sample can confirm the diagnosis and identify the germ causing the infection. Further tests are not usually necessary if you are otherwise well and have a one-off infection. However, your doctor may advise tests of your kidney, prostate gland, or bladder if an underlying problem is suspected.

An underlying problem is more likely if the infection does not clear with an antibiotic medicine, or if you have:

• Symptoms that suggest a kidney is infected .
• Recurring urine infections. For example, two or more in a three-month period.
• Had problems with your kidney in the past, such as kidney stones or a damaged kidney.
• Symptoms that suggest an obstruction to the flow of urine.
• Blood-stained urine which persists after treatment with antibiotics.

Tests may include:

• An examination of your prostate gland by examination of your back passage .
• Tests to see how well your bladder is working, called urodynamic tests.

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You Can Get A Uti From Having Sex

There is a clear link between UTIs and sex. For many people, having sex causes UTIs to occur over and over again. Data shows that UTI symptoms most often begin about 2 days after having sexual intercourse.

Sex can cause a UTI. This is because the friction involved in sexual activity pushes bacteria toward the urethra. Anything that allows or encourages bacteria to enter the urinary tract increases the risk of UTI.

UTIs should be treated to keep them from getting worse. This usually requires a prescription for antibiotics. Since going to see your healthcare provider every time you have sex isnt a reasonable option for many people, its helpful to think ahead. There are things you can do to prevent a UTI before it starts.

Pregnant Women Can Get Utis

Irene, a 40-year-old mother of three, was very familiar with the routine prenatal care at her OB-GYN appointment. But at one of the visits, she was concerned to learn that for the first time, she was experiencing asymptomatic bacteriuria, or the presence of bacteria in the urine, in her first trimester.

From 2% to 7% of pregnant women have asymptomatic bacteriuria, which is a bacterial infection in the urine that is not accompanied by any symptoms. Without treatment, this can develop into a UTI or a kidney infection.

Potential complications for pregnant women with UTIs are low birthweight for their babies and/or preterm birth, yet this association has not been fully established. Therefore, all pregnant women should be screened for an infection early in their pregnancy to prevent any complications. In addition, treatment options have to be tailored because not all antibiotics are safe to take during pregnancy.

For other people, treatment may not be needed, Chiang said. “Asymptomatic bacteriuria generally does not require treatment, except for special cases, such as pregnancy or prior to a planned urological procedure,” she said.

It is important to note that UTIs can happen in anyone, so be sure to pay attention to any symptoms, such painful, frequent or sudden urination, and seek care from a health care professional when needed.

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What Is The Prognosis For A Person With A Urinary Tract Infection

Urinary tract infections typically respond very well to treatment. A UTI can be uncomfortable before you start treatment, but once your healthcare provider identifies the type of bacteria and prescribes the right antibiotic medication, your symptoms should improve quickly. Its important to keep taking your medication for the entire amount of time your healthcare provider prescribed. If you have frequent UTIs or if your symptoms arent improving, your provider may test to see if its an antibiotic-resistant infection. These are more complicated infections to treat and may require intravenous antibiotics or alternative treatments.

Can Utis Be Prevented

A few things can help prevent UTIs. After peeing, girls should wipe from front to back with toilet paper. After BMs, wipe from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra.

Also, go to the bathroom when needed and don’t hold the pee in. Pee that stays in the bladder gives bacteria a good place to grow.

Keep the genital area clean and dry. Girls should change their tampons and pads regularly during their periods. Bubble baths can irritate the vaginal area, so girls should take showers or plain baths. Avoid long exposure to moisture in the genital area by not wearing nylon underwear or wet swimsuits. Wearing underwear with cotton crotches is also helpful. Skip using feminine hygiene sprays or douches, as these can irritate the urethra.

If you are sexually active, go to the bathroom both before and within 15 minutes after sex. After sex, gently wash the genital area to remove any bacteria. Avoid sexual positions that irritate or hurt the urethra or bladder. Couples who use lubrication during sex should use a water-soluble lubricant such as K-Y Jelly.

Finally, drinking lots of water each day keeps the bladder active and bacteria-free.

UTIs are uncomfortable and often painful, but they’re common and easily treated. The sooner you contact your doctor, the sooner you’ll be able to get rid of the problem.

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Preventing Male Urinary Tract Infections

As rare as urinary tract infections are in men, make sure you take the right steps to ensure you never have to worry about one:

• Pee when you need to. Dont hold your pee, and always try to empty your bladder fully.
• Wear cotton underwear and loose fitting clothing. Tight pants and non-cotton underwear tend to trap moisture, making for a great environment where bacteria can grow.
• Wash your genital area after sex.
• If youre uncircumcised, wash your foreskin regularly.
• Urinate soon after sex to flush out any bacteria that may have entered your urethra.
• Practice safe sex in general.
• Take showers instead of baths.

Most importantly, make sure you go to your doctor regularly, especially if you suspect something is wrong. Urinary tract infections may point to more serious underlying issues. The best thing you can do is act early. Remember to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases if you are sexually active. And if kidney stones become a common issue, consult your doctor for help with changes in your lifestyle or diet.

If you experience any symptoms of UTI or STD, to set up a phone appointment with a top U.S. doctor today.

Children Can Get Utis

Five-year-old Samantha had been wetting the bed and waking up to use the bathroom multiple times per night. Then, she developed a fever. After she was unable to attend her first day of kindergarten, Samantha’s parents brought her to the pediatrician’s office, where she was diagnosed with a UTI.

UTIs are difficult to diagnose in children, so health professionals almost always collect and test a urine sample. It is common for children to have bladder and bowel dysfunction, such as difficulty urinating and passing stools, which are risk factors for recurrent UTIs. Children with a UTI can develop scarring on the kidney, which can lead to later urological issues.

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How To Prevent Urinary Tract Infections In Males

If you have recovered from a urinary tract infection, you should take the following steps in an effort to prevent urinary tract infections from happening again:

• Always meet the needs of body fluids every day.
• Do not hold your urine and if you want to urinate immediately urinate.
• Keep the genitals clean and dry.
• Clean the genitals before and after intercourse.
• Avoid using soaps and powders that contain fragrance for the genitals.
• Avoid wearing tight pants and wear cotton underwear.

Urinary tract infections in men can come back if the causes and risk factors are not treated. For that you need to take some preventive measures as described above. You should immediately consult a doctor if you experience symptoms that point to a urinary tract infection to get the right treatment. That’s an explanation of how to treat urinary tract infection in males, hopefully it will be useful.

Who Gets Urinary Tract Infections

Anyone can get a urinary tract infection, but they are more common in women. This is because the urethra in females is shorter and closer to the anus, where E. coli bacteria are common. Older adults also are at higher risk for developing cystitis. This increased risk may be due to incomplete emptying of the bladder. There are several medical conditions that can be related to this, including an enlarged prostate or a bladder prolapse .

If you get frequent urinary tract infections, your healthcare provider may do tests to check for other health problems such as diabetes or an abnormal urinary systemthat may be contributing to your infections. People with frequent UTIs are occasionally given low-dose antibiotics for a period of time to prevent the infection from coming back. This cautious approach to treating frequent UTIs is because your body can develop a resistance to the antibiotic and you can get other types of infections, such as C. diff colitis. This practice is used very infrequently.

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What Causes Urinary Tract Infections

UTIs usually happen because bacteria enter the urethra, then make their way up into the bladder and cause an infection. Girls get UTIs much more often than guys, most likely due to differences in the shape and length of the urethra. Girls have shorter urethras than guys, and the opening lies closer to the anus and the vagina, where bacteria are likely to be.

Bacteria can get into the urethra several ways. During sex, for example, bacteria in the vaginal area may be pushed into the urethra and eventually end up in the bladder, where pee provides a good environment for the bacteria to grow. This is why females who are sexually active often get UTIs.

Bacteria may also get into a girls bladder if she wipes from back to front after a bowel movement , which can contaminate the urethral opening. The use of spermicides and diaphragms as contraceptives also may increase the risk of UTIs.

Sexually transmitted diseases may cause UTI-like symptoms, such as pain with peeing. This is due to the inflammation and irritation of the urethra or vagina thats sometimes associated with chlamydia and other STDs. If untreated, STDs can lead to serious long-term problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Unlike UTIs, STDs are contagious.

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Does Cranberry Juice Prevent A Urinary Tract Infection

Many people say that cranberry juice can help treat, or even prevent, a UTI. Researchers are currently looking into the topic, but havent found a definitive answer yet. Healthcare providers recommend drinking lots of fluids if you have, or have a history of getting, a UTI. Adding a glass of unsweetened cranberry juice to your diet isnt a proven way to prevent a UTI, but it typically wont hurt you either.

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Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection In Men

Symptoms of UTIs in men are similar to those in women. They usually come on suddenly.

Signs and symptoms that you might have a bladder infection, or UTI include:

• Pain and burning during urination
• Need to urine frequently
• Urinary urgency, or sudden urges to empty your bladder
• Pain in your central abdomen, and above your pubic bone
• Bloody urine

If you are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms, visit your doctor as soon as possible. He or she will collect a urine sample to test for a UTI.

If you do have a UTI, it can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Visit An Urgent Care Clinic

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a urinary tract infection in men, we recommend visiting an urgent care clinic right away.

The professionals at these clinics are well equipped to diagnose a UTI. UTIs are easy to treat and you will be on your way to feeling better in no time.

For more information or to find your nearest location, contact us today.

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What Can I Do To Prevent A Uti

• Empty your bladder often. Urinate and empty your bladder as soon as you feel the need. Do not hold your urine for long periods of time.
• Drink liquids as directed. Ask how much liquid to drink each day and which liquids are best for you. You may need to drink more liquids than usual to help flush out the bacteria. Do not drink alcohol, caffeine, or citrus juices. These can irritate your bladder and increase your symptoms. Your healthcare provider may recommend cranberry juice to help prevent a UTI.
• Urinate after you have sex. This can help flush out bacteria passed during sex.
• Do pelvic muscle exercises often. Pelvic muscle exercises may help you start and stop urinating. Strong pelvic muscles may help you empty your bladder easier. Squeeze these muscles tightly for 5 seconds like you are trying to hold back urine. Then relax for 5 seconds. Gradually work up to squeezing for 10 seconds. Do 3 sets of 15 repetitions a day, or as directed.