How Is A Uti Diagnosed
To diagnose a UTI, your GP will examine you and ask you questions about your general health. Sometimes that might be enough to diagnose a UTI. Your doctor may want you to do a urine sample to identify what bacteria is causing the infection. Other tests could include a blood test, and checking your temperature and heart rate.
Men And Urinary Tract Infections
Q. What causes urinary tract infections and are men at risk for getting them?
A. Although urinary tract infections are more common in women, men can get them, too. They occur when bacteria build up somewhere along your urinary tract. In men, UTIs can develop in the urethra , the bladder, the prostate, or the kidney.
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What Are Causes Of Urinary Tract Infections
When bacteria enter into the urinary system, this can result in an infection. A urine culture can help isolate the bacteria responsible for a particular UTI.
- Escherichia coli is the Gram-negative bacteria that causes the vast majority of UTIs.
- However, other bacterial pathogens can also cause UTIs.
Urinary tract infections are not contagious, and you can’t acquire a UTI from someone else.
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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.
About Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are common infections that can affect the bladder, the kidneys and the tubes connected to them.
Anyone can get them, but they’re particularly common in women. Some women experience them regularly .
UTIs can be painful and uncomfortable, but usually pass within a few days and can be easily treated with antibiotics.
This page is about UTIs in adults. There is a separate article about UTIs in children.
This page covers:
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Understanding Urinary Tract Infections In Men
Can a man get a urinary tract infection? A surprising number of people assume that only women can get a UTI. While the chance of women getting a UTI is highabout 1 in 2 women will get a urinary tract infection at some point in their livesmen can still contract urinary tract infections.
Urinary tract infections lead to an estimated 8.3 million doctor visits each year. About 20 percent of those cases are from men.
Urinary tract infections are rare in men younger than 50 years old, but the chances of contracting a UTI increase as men get older. Lets take a closer look at urinary tract infections in men, what causes them, symptoms, and how you can treat and prevent them.
How Common Are Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are very common, occurring in 1 out of 5 women sometime in their lifetime. Though UTIs are common in women, they can also happen to men, older adults and children. One to 2% of children develop urinary tract infections. Each year, 8 million to 10 million visits to doctors are for urinary tract infections.
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Can Stress Cause A Uti
Since you need your immune system to be healthy in order to fight off infections, you might be more prone to infections like UTIs if youre under chronic stress. When youre stressed, your body produces more of the cortisol hormone, known as the fight-or-flight hormone. High cortisol levels actually weaken your immune system.
Eating Diet & Nutrition
Experts dont think eating, diet, and nutrition play a role in preventing or treating bladder infections. If you have any type of UTI, talk with a health care professional about how much to drink each day to help prevent or relieve your infection.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and other components of the National Institutes of Health conduct and support research into many diseases and conditions.
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What Are The Factors That Cause Utis In Men
Older men, specifically those above the age of forty, have a higher risk of acquiring urinary tract infections. Most UTIs develop when the bacterium passes through the urinary tract and multiplies until it becomes a bladder infection.
Other risk factors that can lead to the development of UTIs include the following:
- Enlargement of the prostate gland
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH, is a condition wherein there is overgrowth on a mans prostate gland. An enlarged prostate gland can lead to the development of urine blockages which can cause infections in the lower urinary tract.
- Kidney stones
Men with kidney stones are at risk of having UTIs. This condition causes an obstruction along the urinary tract, which is often associated with the development of the infection.
- Diabetes
People with diabetes have a higher chance of getting UTIs as their condition interferes with their immune response. Diabetes also causes nerve damages that weakens the bodys signals which keeps them from emptying their bladder. It encourages the invasion of bacteria and poses a greater risk of infection.
- Insertion of instruments
Several procedures that include the insertion of tools such as catheters, drain tubes, and cameras can increase UTI odds. The bacteria can use the foreign material as a reservoir to reach into your system leading to urinary or bladder infection.
- Unprotected sexual intercourse
Urinary Tract Infection Treatment
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 doctor 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 doctors instructions for taking the medicine, even if you start to feel better. Skipping pills could make the treatment less effective.
Your doctor 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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Diagnosing Uti’s In Cats
If a cat owner is observing symptoms of a urinary tract infection in their cat they should schedule a visit with their cat’s veterinarian. A urine sample will need to be collected either by the owner at home with the use of special, non-absorbent litter or by the veterinarian. The veterinarian may temporarily keep the cat in the animal hospital until it urinates on its own in some non-absorbable litter or the urine may be obtained by cystocentesis. Cystocentesis is a quick and non-invasive technique to obtain a urine sample through the use of a needle and syringe. Some veterinarians prefer obtaining urine by cystocentesis while others prefer to allow a cat to provide a sample naturally.
Once urine is obtained a urinalysis will be performed. This type of test checks the urine for bacteria, crystals, blood, parasites, abnormal pH levels, abnormal specific gravity levels, glucose, and other things to aid the veterinarian in making a diagnosis. If bacteria is present in the urinalysis a urinary tract infection is diagnosed. Sometimes a urine culture must also be performed to see exactly what type of bacteria is in the infection in order to choose a specific antibiotic.
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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How Is Uti Treated In Males
Urinary tract infections are usually treated with oral antibiotics. In severe cases, antibiotics may be administered intravenously in a hospital setting. The choice of antibiotic depends on the type of bacteria and location of the infection.
- Upper UTI: Antibiotics course may last for 2 weeks
- Lower UTI: Antibiotics course may last for 3-7 days
Can Antibiotics Cause A Uti
No. Antibiotics get rid of bacteria, they dont cause infections. But, antibiotics can cause changes in the normal healthy balance of microbes in the body. One example of where this can happen is in the vagina. By disturbing the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina, taking antibiotics can make it more likely that youll get a fungal infection like Candida, otherwise known as a yeast infection. This can feel like a UTI, but it isnt.
Now, this doesnt mean you should never take antibiotics. It does, however, mean that you should only take antibiotics when necessary. Taking antibiotics when you dont need them can cause unnecessary side effects. And when you do take them, you should finish the entire course, even if you start feeling better before your course is over.
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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.
When To Get Medical Advice
It’s a good idea to see your GP if you think you might have a UTI, particularly if:
- you have symptoms of an upper UTI
- the symptoms are severe or getting worse
- the symptoms haven’t started to improve after a few days
- you get UTIs frequently
Your GP can rule out other possible causes of your symptoms by testing a sample of your urine and can prescribe antibiotics if you do have an infection.
Antibiotics are usually recommended because untreated UTIs can potentially cause serious problems if they’re allowed to spread.
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Myth: You Can Only Get A Uti From Sex
Fact: A key difference between UTIs in men and women is that women are much likelier to contract UTIs from sex for anatomical reasons. Women have much shorter urethras than men, so sex is likelier to introduce bacteria into a womans urinary tract. Though not impossible, men are at much lower risk of getting a UTI from sex.
Simple Tips For Men To Stay Safe From Urinary Tract Infections
- Have lots of water and healthy fresh juices to flush out the bacteria from the body, especially urinary tract.
- You should never hold the urge to pass the urine for long. It can cause the urinary tract to retain bacteria.
- Try to completely pass the urine, so that the bladder is completely empty.
- Maintain proper hygiene of the penis, especially when you are not circumcised. Clean and wash the intimate area properly so that no harmful bacteria can grow under the foreskin.
- Have foods rich in Vitamin C such as kiwi, orange, cantaloupe, melon, lemon, broccoli, papaya, etc. Vitamin C kills the harmful bacteria causing urinary infections and improves the overall functioning of the urinary system.
- Cranberry juice is a wonderful home remedy for urinary infections. Just make sure that you consume it without any added sugar for the best results.
- Probiotics majorly promote good health of the gut. The good bacteria called lactobacillus, found in probiotic yogurt, kefir, kimchi boost the health of your gut. It also prevents the unusual growth of the bacteria. So, keep the urinary tract free of any kind of infection.
- Use garlic or its extract in your diet. It has amazing anti-microbial properties that prevent UTIs.
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How Can I Take Care Of Myself
- Follow your healthcare provider’s treatment. Take all of the antibiotic that your healthcare provider prescribes, even when you feel better. Do not take medicine left over from previous prescriptions.
- Drink more fluids, especially water, to help flush bacteria from your system.
- If you have a fever:
- Take aspirin or acetaminophen to control the fever. Check with your healthcare provider before you give any medicine that contains aspirin or salicylates to a child or teen. This includes medicines like baby aspirin, some cold medicines, and Pepto Bismol. Children and teens who take aspirin are at risk for a serious illness called Reye’s syndrome.
- Keep a daily record of your temperature.
Understanding Frequent Or Recurrent Infections In Men
Getting just one urinary tract infection as a man is rare, but getting more than one could actually point to other underlying issues. A recurring infection is often caused by a separate type or strain of bacteria. In other words, even if both infections are caused by E. coli, the second is likely a mutation or separate form of E. coli.
A study from the National Institute of Health found that bacteria has the ability to attach to the cells lining the urinary tract, a contributing factor to recurrent urinary tract infections.
In women, recurrent UTIs are often a result of changing bacteria within the urinary tract. In men, frequent urinary tract infections are caused by obstructions, like kidney stones or an enlarged prostate, and procedures that require the use of a catheter.
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Diagnosis For A Uti Is Necessary
A proper diagnosis of the urinary tract infection is necessary to get the right effective treatment. Your urologist will prescribe you some antibiotics depending upon the results of the diagnostics. Also, never choose self-medication go and consult a doctor. Self-medication might provide you only symptomatic temporary relief.
The risk of side-effects or allergies is also quite high in self-medication. So, only use the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor and follow healthy practices that will keep you safe and away from catching a urinary tract infection.
How E Coli Enters The Urinary Tract
Urine is mostly made up of water, salt, chemicals, and other waste. While researchers used to think of urine as sterile, its now known that even a healthy urinary tract can host a variety of bacteria. But one type of bacteria not normally found in the urinary tract is E. coli.
E. coli often gains entry into the urinary tract via stool. Women are particularly at risk for UTIs because their urethra sits close to the anus, where E. coli is present. Its also shorter than a mans, giving the bacteria easier access to the bladder, where the majority of UTIs occur, and the rest of the urinary tract.
E. coli can spread to the urinary tract in a variety of ways. Common ways include:
- Improper wiping after using the bathroom. Wiping back to front can carry E. coli from the anus to the urethra.
- Sex. The mechanical action of sex can move E. coli-infected stool from the anus into the urethra and up the urinary tract.
- Birth control. Contraceptives that use spermicides, including diaphragms and spermicidal condoms, can kill the healthy bacteria in your body that protect you from bacteria like E. coli. This bacterial imbalance can make you more susceptible to a UTI.
- Pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect the growth of certain bacteria. Some experts also think that the weight of a growing fetus can shift your bladder, making it easier for E. coli to gain access.
Diagnosing a UTI can involve a two-part process.
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