Urological Symptoms Men Should Not Ignore
Signs of an issue with urological health in men may be noticeable or sometimes symptomless. Knowing symptoms possibly pointing to a urological problem is important for men to be aware of. The sooner any issue involving urological health is diagnosed and treated, the greater the chance of a successful outcome. Here are symptoms men should watch for and seek the advice of a urologist for:
- Cloudy or smelly urine or urine with blood in it
- Pain or burning when urinating, possibly indicating a urinary tract infection or even a kidney stone
- Frequent need to urinate or difficulty in starting a urine stream
- Incontinence
- Achieving or maintaining an erection adequate for sexual intercourse
- Difficulty with fertility
- Testicular mass such as a lump or bump
Male Incontinence And Surgery
Surgery is always a last resort for treating male incontinence, but if necessary, there are two procedures used for men.
Artificial urinary sphincter balloon: a balloon is inserted around the neck of the bladder, which shuts off the urinary sphincter until you need to urinate. A valve placed under the skin deflates the balloon when you need to go to the bathroom, and the balloon refills when you are done.
Sling procedure: The doctor uses a tissue to create a supportive pouch around the neck of the bladder, so the urethra stays closed if you run, sneeze, laugh, or cough.
You will usually recover in the hospital after either of these procedures, but in some cases, you can leave the same day as the procedure.
How Women Can Prevent Utis
Follow the same tips as men, plus do the following:
- After using the toilet, wipe from front to back to keep bacteria away from your urethra.
- Talk to your doctor about birth control options. Using lubricated condoms may lead to fewer UTIs.
- Keep your vagina healthy. Dont douche. After menopause, consider taking vaginal estrogen.
Complexity, frequency, risk factors and prevention tips may differ by gender, but urinary tract infections are equally uncomfortable for everyone. The better news is that for both men and women most UTIs arent serious and dont cause other problems if you seek medical care right away.
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Pristyn Care Offers Smooth Treatment Experience
Our doctors at Pristyn Care are highly experienced to treat numerous males problems including UTIs. There are many Pristyn Care clinics, to visit the one nearby you, you have to just simply book your online appointment. We ensure that you receive the best treatment without any discomfort and get rid of problems fast.
So, put an end to your miseries of UTIs and visit us without any more delay.
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What Is Upper Urinary Tract Cancer
Cancer is when cells in the body grow out of control, often forming a mass or tumor. In upper urinary tract cancer, abnormal cells are found in the:
- Renal pelvis
- Renal calyces
- Ureters
Cancers of the upper urinary tract are relatively rare. The most common of all upper urinary tract cancers are those found in the renal pelvis and renal calyces. Cancer in the ureters makes up about a quarter of all upper urinary tract cancers.
Tumors of the renal calyces, renal pelvis and ureters start in the layer of tissue that lines the bladder and the upper urinary tract, called the urothelium. Cancer that starts in the urothelium is called urothelial cancer. This is the most common type of cancer found in the bladder, as well. Because many of the organs in the urinary system share common cells, cancers found in these organs often look and act alike.
The urothelium is special in the way that it swells and shrinks to push urine through the urinary tract. Because it is in direct contact with the urine, this lining is exposed to chemicals filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. These chemicals can cause cells to change and grow out of control as cancer.
Because the bladder stores urine, it may be at greater risk for cancer than other parts of the upper tract. Its cells are exposed to harmful substances for a longer time. When urine has a high percent of harmful chemicals, cancer may also grow in the kidney or ureters.
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Overactive Bladder In Men
Overactive bladder can be described as frequent urination, a constant urge to urinate, bladder leaks, and nighttime urination. Nearly 33 million Americans live with overactive bladder and 30 percent of the patients are men.
Symptoms of overactive bladder in men include an urgent need to urinate, frequent urination , nighttime urination, and a strong urge to urinate, which can lead to bladder leaks.
For men, overactive bladder is often triggered by an enlarged prostate. As men age, the prostate can become larger, blocking the flow of urine, and lead to other symptoms related to overactive bladder.
Prostate enlargement isnt the only cause of overactive bladder in men. Other causes include a bladder infection, bladder stones, or bladder cancer. Fluid intake, medications, and constipation can all be temporary causes for overactive bladder in men as well.
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
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How Are Utis In Men Diagnosed
The diagnosis of male UTIs is similar to it is for women. Preliminary diagnosis requires a laboratory examination using the persons urine culture. But because doctors consider urinary tract infection in men as a complicated condition, additional testing is necessary.
After confirming the diagnosis, your doctor may proceed with a special evaluation to study the cause of your UTI. It also involves several tests to determine the amount of urine you can excrete after a single cycle. You will also need to undergo imaging scans to identify signs of bladder infection or other abnormalities in your kidney.
How Is It Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You may have lab tests of your urine and discharge from the urethra and prostate gland.
For serious or repeated infections, you may need:
- An intravenous pyelogram . An IVP is a special type of X-ray of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
- An ultrasound scan to look at the urinary tract.
- A cystoscopy. This is an exam of the inside of the urethra and bladder with a small lighted instrument. It is usually done by a specialist called a urologist.
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What Can I Do
LUTS isnt just a normal part of ageing, so its a good idea to see your doctor if you notice any changes to urination – particularly if the symptoms are affecting your quality of life or interfering with normal daily activities.
Your doctor will confirm whether or not you have LUTS based on your symptoms, but youll need further tests to work out the cause. This generally starts with a thorough medical history and examination.
If you have LUTS, reducing caffeine and alcohol , avoiding large amounts of fluid before bed, preventing constipation , and losing weight might help to improve the symptoms.
Your first steps will be to make changes to your lifestyle, such as being more active and reducing the amount of refined carbohydrates you eat, and managing other health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnoea.
If your symptoms are heavily impacting your quality of life, oral medicines can help. Surgery is only done in severe cases of prostate enlargement or other serious causes.
Bladder Problems In Men After : Urinary Incontinence Overactive Bladder Enlarged Prostate And Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
Written byDr. Victor MarchionePublished onSeptember 9, 2016
Bladder problems are usually a subject for discussion in relation to women, but bladder issues can very much affect men, too, especially those over the age of 60. With aging, the risk of bladder-related problems increases, as there is a decline in kidney weight over time. The bladder and the urethra, too, undergo changes associated with aging, which together can lead to problems in the urinary tract system.
For men, specifically, bladder problems are often linked to changes in the prostate, which can become enlarged blocking the flow of urine. If left untreated, an enlarged prostate can cause urinary retention, which can go on to harm the kidneys.
Here we will outline three common bladder problems men over the age of 60 are at risk for. These include urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and an enlarged prostate.
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Three Common Urinary Problems In Men And What You Can Do About Them
As you age you may notice changes in your urination. Perhaps you have noticed that you have difficulty starting or stopping the flow, or maybe the flow is weaker and slower than before. In addition to problems with flow, you might notice that you dont always empty your bladder completely and you always feel like you have to go. Or, perhaps you have just noticed that you are going to the bathroom more often, especially at night.
While many of these problems can be attributed to aging, there may be other issues besides aging that could be causing three of the most common urinary problems that occur in men, and many are treatable.
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
- Filling symptoms: urinary frequency, urgency, dysuria, nocturia.
- Voiding symptoms : poor stream, hesitancy, terminal dribbling, incomplete voiding, overflow incontinence .
- Also enquire about: haematuria, fever, loin and pelvic pain, past history of renal calculi, past history of urinary tract infections , sexual/erectile difficulties, constipation, medications and bone pain.
- Signs: palpable bladder, rectal examination , check for loin pain and/or renal masses, perineal sensation.
- LUTS include frequency, urgency, hesitancy, dysuria, haematuria, reduced flow, dribbling, nocturia, incontinence and pelvic pain.
- Some patients develop acute retention.
- Others develop chronic retention with overflow incontinence and, on rare occasions, acute kidney injury.
Tumours localised to the prostate are unlikely to cause bladder outflow obstruction and any LUTS developing in early prostate cancer are usually due to coincidental BPH.
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Enlargement Of The Prostate Gland
- The difficulties men experience with passing urine are often due to non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia and is caused by a change in hormones. It is considered a normal part of ageing.
- Prostate growth can also be the result of cancer. Prostate cancer, is much less common than BPH.
- An overactive bladder may also occur if the bladder has to work harder to empty, for instance, if the outlet is narrowed by an enlarged prostate, or it may be worsened by the bladder not emptying completely.
When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider
- Fever.
- Back pain.
- Vomiting.
If you have any of these symptoms, or your other symptoms continue after treatment, call your healthcare provider. A UTI can spread throughout your urinary tract and into other parts of your body. However, treatment is very effective and can quickly relieve your symptoms.
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Urinary Problems In Men Due To Age
There may be number of urinary issues associated with aging among men. The muscles of the bladder become weak and may contract suddenly giving an urge to use the toilet frequently. In some cases, there may be leakage or involuntary urination, before he can reach the toilet. With aging, the body tends to store fluids during the day leading to extra production of urine at night, thus increasing the frequency of urination at night.
Urinary Incontinence In Men
Uncontrollable urination or urinary incontinence occurs in eleven to 34 percent of older men, but it is not just an age-related issue. Younger men can also experience incontinence due to health problems. Urinary incontinence also happens to women, but the biggest issue with incontinence in men is that they are less likely to speak with their doctors about it. This means that the statistics for men could actually be much higher in men that the current numbers indicate. Discussing the problem is the first step towards addressing the symptoms and finding a treatment.
Urinary incontinence often results in the accidental leakage of urine from the body, so it can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. A man can feel a strong, sudden need to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine. Doctors refer to this as urgency incontinence. For some people, this condition keeps them from enjoying certain activities, including sports and exercise. It can also cause a lot of emotional distress as well.
There are different types of urinary incontinence. The types of urinary incontinence men can experience include urgency incontinence, stress incontinence, functional incontinence, overflow urinary incontinence, and transient urinary incontinence.
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Enlarged Prostate Gland Contributing To Urinary Problem In Men
One of the most common causes of urinary issues in men is enlargement of the prostate gland. It is associated with aging and often considered as a normal process of aging. Prostate growth can be caused due to non-cancerous reasons and sometimes due to prostate cancer. It is often associated with hormonal changes and reduced urinary output. There may be narrowing of the outlet from enlargement of the prostate, which may cause the bladder to work harder to empty the bladder.
Bphs Relation To Prostate Cancer
Summers says BPH is not a precursor to prostate cancer, though his patients often worry about that.
Prostate cancer may have no symptoms at all, Summers says. but we do screening for prostate cancer during any workup for BPH.
Part of that cancer screening is checking prostate specific antigen levels. Of note, both prostate cancer and BPH can cause an elevated PSA.
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Other Things To Remember For Faster Relief From Urinary Tract Infections
- Spicy and pungent foods can cause more irritation and inflammation of the urethra
- Avoid having caffeinated and carbonated drinks such as coffee, colas, etc.
- Practice abstinence from alcohol.
- Regular exercising and staying clean greatly reduces symptoms of any UTI
- Artificial sweeteners can promote the growth of harmful bacteria in the urinary tract.
- Change the underwear every day or if required, twice a day.
- Avoid wearing synthetic underwear, choose cotton ones for comfort.
Problems With Enlarged Prostate Gland
Benign enlargement of the prostate gland is more common as men get older. It can cause troublesome symptoms, although it doesnt always.
The urethra passes through the prostate gland, so men may have problems urinating if the enlarged gland restricts the flow of urine. If the flow stops completely, a catheter is required to empty the bladder. It is rare for this form of acute urinary retention to cause kidney damage.
An enlarged prostate doesn’t always cause urinary problems. Studies indicate that the size of a man’s prostate gland has little influence on the type or severity of his urination problems. BPH is just one possible cause of urinary symptoms.
Another cause of urinary symptoms can be changes to the muscular wall of the bladder, which may cause spasms of the bladder or weaken the bladder, causing problems passing urine.
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How Can Prostate Conditions Lead To Incontinence
- Partial blockage of the urethra by the prostate:
- As the urethra narrows, the bladder has to contract more forcefully to push urine out the urethra.
- Overtime, the increased effort required to empty the bladder makes the bladder muscles grow stronger and more sensitive. The bladder begins to contract even when it contains only a small amount of urine, creating the need to urinate more frequently and urgently. Sometimes urine leaks before you have time to get to the toilet .
- The narrowed urethra may also prevent the bladder from emptying completely when you urinate, which can cause a build up of urine and lead to leakage between trips to the toilet . This requires medical attention.
How Does It Occur
Normally the urinary tract does not have any bacteria or other organisms in it. Bacteria that cause UTI often spread from the rectum to the urethra and then to the bladder or kidneys. Sometimes bacteria spread from another part of the body through the bloodstream to the urinary tract. Urinary tract infection is less common in men than in women because the male urethra is long, making it difficult for bacteria to spread to the bladder.
Urinary tract infection may be caused by a sexually transmitted disease. Sometimes a stone in the urinary tract blocks the flow of urine and causes an infection. In older men, an enlarged prostate can cause a urinary tract infection by keeping urine from draining out of the bladder completely. Infection might also be caused by the use of a catheter used to drain the bladder or by urethral stricture, which is a narrowing of the urethra by scar tissue from previous infections or surgical procedures.
You may be more likely to have a UTI if you have diabetes or another medical problem that affects the immune system.
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