Reducing The Risk Of Developing Utis Behavioral Changes
Preventative measures help reduce the occurrence of many bladder problems. The measures proposed by medics may appear restrictive but following them will promote a healthier lifestyle
- Hydration- Remain hydrated by drinking at least 6 -8 eight ounce glasses of water a day.
- Dont smoke. If you are a smoker, it is time to quit! Why? Non smokers have a lower risk of developing bladder and kidney cancer.
- Limit consumption of alcohol and caffeinated drinks or beverages. The key word is limit and not necessarily cut out.
- Maintain a healthy high fiber diet fruits, vegetables and whole grains to prevent constipation.
- Exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight.
- Practice good toileting habits Do not hold your urine when you feel pressure to go to the bathroom, and when you do go, do not rush. Regular voiding regularly every 3-6 hours will help keep your bladder healthy
- Avoid bladder irritants. Avoid or eliminate any foods that irritate your bladder. Some of these may include spicy and acidic foods, caffeine, alcohol and carbonated beverages
Preventing Urinary Tract Infections In Men
If you are prone to urinary tract infections, you can take active measures to limit the opportunities for bacteria to invade your urinary tract.
- Drink plenty of water daily to flush the urinary system.
- Empty the bladder frequently and as completely as you can.
- Maintain good hygiene in the uro-genital area.
- If you are uncircumcised, clean under the foreskin carefully to avoid bacteria from traveling into the bladder.
- Avoid constipation by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- If you are having treatment of urinary system, follow your doctors recommendations carefully.
Careful hygiene measures can help to prevent urinary tract infections and may be particularly helpful for individuals who experience recurring infection. We offer a number of products for maintaining good urinary health to prevent infection and avoid the discomfort of urinary tract problems.
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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Types Of Male Urinary Dysfunction
At NYU Langone, our urologists treat men who have urinary dysfunction, which arises when the bladder or urethral sphincter doesnt work properly or an enlarged prostate blocks urine flow. Causes may include conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia and neurogenic voiding dysfunction, both of which may be accompanied by bothersome urinary symptoms, such as the inability to empty the bladder.
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.
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Treatment Options For Urinary Problems In Men
Treatment of urinary problems in male patients depends on the underlying cause of problem. In men with UTI or bacterial prostatitis, antibiotic treatment is usually effective. In patients with enlarged prostate, medications such as Flomax and finasteride are often used. Office procedures for treatment for enlarged prostate such as Rezum procedure and Urolift are effective in treating slow urine stream, and incomplete bladder emptying. Holmium laser ablation of prostate and Greenlight laser, as well as laser prostate enucleation, are very effective surgical treatments for men with incomplete bladder emptying or urinary retention
What Are The Symptoms Of A Urinary Tract Infection
These are the most common symptoms of a UTI:
- Frequent urination
- Pain or burning when passing urine
- Urine looks dark, cloudy, or reddish in color
- Urine smells bad
- Feeling pain even when not urinating
- Pain in the back or side, below the ribs
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Despite an strong urge to urinate, only a small amount of urine is passed
- Women may feel an uncomfortable pressure above the pubic bone
The symptoms of UTI may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always see a health care provider for a diagnosis.
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Treatment From A Gp For Utis That Keep Coming Back
If your UTI comes back after treatment, or you have 2 UTIs in 6 months, a GP may:
- prescribe a different antibiotic or prescribe a low-dose antibiotic to take for up to 6 months
- prescribe a vaginal cream containing oestrogen, if you have gone through the menopause
- refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatments
In some people, antibiotics do not work or urine tests do not pick up an infection, even though you have UTI symptoms.
This may mean you have a long-term UTI that is not picked up by current urine tests. Ask the GP for a referral to a specialist for further tests and treatments.
Long-term UTIs are linked to an increased risk of bladder cancer in people aged 60 and over.
You Can Look Out For The Following Symptoms To Confirm A Urinary Tract Infection:
- Burning like sensation while urinating
- Foul odor from the urine
- Very frequent urge to urinate
- Dark-colored urine
- Uneasiness because of the incomplete passage of urine out of the body
To your surprise, the home remedies for urinary tract infections are quite simple to bring in effect. So, lets begin with the best home remedies to use for curing urinary tract infections in males.
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How Can You Tell The Difference Between A Uti And Bladder Infection
Bladder infections are a type of UTI that involves the lower urinary tract, including the bladder. A bladder infection can spread to other parts of your urinary tract or kidneys if left untreated. The symptoms of bladder infections and UTIs can be similar. See a doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of a UTI, such as painful or frequent urination, pain in your central lower abdomen, or blood in your urine.
Urinary Tract Infection Diagnosis
If you think you might have a UTI, dont worry. Diagnosing one requires a simple urinalysis. You urinate into a cup, and your clinician examines the urine for signs of infection. The standard course of treatment is three to five days of antibiotics.
In some cases, especially if your infections keep coming back, your practitioner may order a urine culture, a specific test for UTIs. A culture identifies the bacteria causing your infection so your clinician can choose the most effective antibiotic to treat it. The results of a urine culture are typically not available for two to four days.
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Bladder Stones As A Common Urinary Problem In Men
Bladder stones occur mostly in men. Contrary to common belief, bladder stones are quite different from kidney stones and they are comparatively less common than kidney stones. Bladder stones generally occur from accumulation of highly concentrated urine in the bladder leading to formation of hardened crystals. These crystals can block the downward flow of urine and cause irritation over the inner lining of the bladder. Bladder stones are associated with symptoms such as blood in urine , painful urination with frequent urge to urinate .
Top Ways To Prevent A Uti
Several factors can encourage bacteria to grow and spread within the urinary tract. Though UTIs arent always preventable, some behaviors may help protect against bacterial spread and infection in both men and women:
- Practice safe sex:Condom use can help prevent bacterial infections that are transmitted through sexual contact.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day will help encourage urination, which works to flush out bacteria from your urinary tract. If its hot out or if youve been exercising, be sure to drink even more water.
- Dont hold it in: Urinate when you feel the urge. Holding it in can lead to a collection of bacteria in the bladder or urinary tract.
- Use good hygiene: Wipe from front to back after bowel movements, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
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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.
Inflammation Of The Prostate Gland
Bacteria sometimes cause prostatitis . More commonly, the underlying cause is uncertain. Consult your doctor promptly if you experience:
- pain in the groin
- urgent and frequent urination.
Treatment with antibiotics is essential for acute bacterial prostatitis. Admission to hospital is often necessary and, as with chronic bacterial prostatitis, specific antibacterial drugs are required for a long time.
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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.
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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Acute And Chronic Prostatitis
In the 1800s, prostatitis was thought to be secondary to excessive alcohol consumption or physical or sexual activity. It was often associated with gonorrhea and could be fatal or lead to abscess formation. By the 1920s, most cases were attributed to microorganisms, and antibiotics combined with prostate massage were standard therapy after World War II. Although the role of bacteria was questioned in the 1950s, it was reemphasized in 1968 when Meares and Stamey described their “4-glass test.”
Acute prostatitis is caused by an acute infection of the entire prostate gland, resulting in fever and localized pain. Microscopically, neutrophilic infiltrates, diffuse edema, and microabscesses may be seen, which may coalesce into larger collections.
Chronic prostatitis may be caused by inflammatory or noninflammatory diseases. This condition may arise via dysfunctional voiding, intraprostatic reflux, chronic exposure to microorganisms, autoimmune mechanisms, irritative urinary metabolites, and as a variant of neuropathic pain. Chronic bacterial prostatitis often produces few or no symptoms related to the prostate, but it is probably the most common cause of relapsing UTI in men.
Chronic prostatitis has been subdivided by the National Institutes of Health into the following categories:
When Should I See A Health Care Professional
See a health care professional if you have symptoms of a bladder problem, such as trouble urinating, a loss of bladder control, waking to use the bathroom, pelvic pain, or leaking urine.
Bladder problems can affect your quality of life and cause other health problems. Your health care professional may be able to treat your UI by recommending lifestyle changes or a change in medicine.
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How Are Urinary Tract Infections Diagnosed
Your doctor will use the following tests to diagnose a urinary tract infection:
- Urinalysis: This test will examine the urine for red blood cells, white blood cells and bacteria. The number of white and red blood cells found in your urine can actually indicate an infection.
- Urine culture: A urine culture is used to determine the type of bacteria in your urine. This is an important test because it helps determine the appropriate treatment.
If your infection does not respond to treatment or if you keep getting infections over and over again, your doctor may use the following tests to examine your urinary tract for disease or injury:
- Ultrasound: In this test, sound waves create an image of the internal organs. This test is done on top of your skin, is painless and doesnt typically need any preparation.
- Cystoscopy: This test uses a special instrument fitted with a lens and a light source to see inside the bladder from the urethra.
- CT scan: Another imaging test, a CT scan is a type of X-ray that takes cross sections of the body . This test is much more precise than typical X-rays.
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 doesnt always cause urinary problems. Studies indicate that the size of a mans 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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Can I Become Immune To The Antibiotics Used To Treat A Uti
Your body can actually get used to the antibiotics typically used to treat a urinary tract infection . This happens in people who have very frequent infections. With each UTI and use of antibiotics to treat it, the infection adapts and becomes harder to fight. This is called an antibiotic-resistant infection. Because of this, your healthcare provider may suggest alternative treatments if you have frequent UTIs. These could include:
- Waiting: Your provider may suggest that you watch your symptoms and wait. During this time, you may be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids in an effort to flush out your system.
- Intravenous treatment: In some very complicated cases, where the UTI is resistant to antibiotics or the infection has moved to your kidneys, you may need to be treated in the hospital. The medicine will be given to you directly in your vein . Once youre home, you will be prescribed antibiotics for a period of time to fully get rid of the infection.
When Should You Go To The Doctor For Urinary Health
Seek treatment when symptoms arise. When you work harder to push urine out, you’re putting pressure on your bladder. This may lead to bladder abnormalities or other issues. It’s better to intervene earlier. What happens if you delay too long, is your bladder undergoes irreversible changes, says Summers. We’ve all seen patients that end up in renal failure because they’ve neglected their urinary symptoms. That’s one reason to stay on top of this.
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How Utis In Men Are Diagnosed
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enters the urinary tract. In fact, according to the National Kidney Foundation, one particular bacteria, E. coli, causes 80 to 90 percent of all UTI cases.
Diagnosing a urinary tract infection in men is initially the same as it is for women, consisting of a urine culture. But because a UTI in a man is often considered complicated, according to Dr. Trost, additional testing is usually necessary to determine why he got a UTI.
This typically includes not only a urinary culture to confirm an infection, but also a special study to evaluate how much urine he leaves behind after urinating, and an imaging study, such as a CT scan, to evaluate for kidney stones or other anatomic abnormalities that may be causing this, he explains.
If a man has recurrent infections or infections with the same organism, or UTI-like symptoms without a positive urine culture, then further testing may be necessary.
Any man who suspects he may have a UTI should see his doctor right away so that he can begin treatment as soon as possible.
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