Lower UTI Symptoms for Men
According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), over 8 million doctor visits occur each year in the United States alone as a result of urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections (UTI's) occur most commonly with women; however, men can easily develop this painful bacterial infection, as well. Familiarity with the facts surrounding lower urinary tract infections for men can help you identify and seek treatment for this serious health problem.
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The Facts
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Your urinary tract consists of four parts: kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. According to NKUDIC, a urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria--usually Escherichia coli (E. coli) from your digestive tract--attach and multiply in the opening of your urethra. This multiplication results in infection. Although any part of your urinary tract could potentially develop an infection, the two lower areas (your bladder and urethra) are more susceptible to infection due to their proximity to your rectum.
Types
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Lower urinary tract infection symptoms in men could indicate two different types of bacterial infections: cystitis and urethritis. A urinary tract infection that remains in your urethra (the tube that allows urine to travel from your bladder to the outside of your body) is called urethritis. Cystitis, the second type of lower urinary tract infection in men, occurs when the bacteria that causes urethritis travels to your bladder (a bag-like organ that stores your urine), multiplying and causing an infection in that location as well.
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Symptoms
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Although you won't always have symptoms with a urinary tract infection, a range of symptoms can develop, depending upon what type of infection your body has. According to the Mayo Clinic, the characteristic sign of urethritis is a burning sensation during urination. Cystitis, on the other hand, is often accompanied by pelvic pressure and abdominal pain, pain during urination and a mild fever. Other symptoms that may accompany either type of lower UTI include a strong need to urinate, more frequent urination, and bloody, cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
Diagnosis and Treatment
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If you develop lower urinary tract infection symptoms, your doctor will typically need to test a sample of your urine for the presence of pus and bacteria. NKUDIC states that in order to reduce the likelihood of contamination, you must clean your genital area and collect a urine sample midstream in a sterile cup. If the lab test indicates a positive result, your doctor will typically prescribe an antibacterial drug, using your medical history and the test results to select the most appropriate drug for your particular medical situation.
Risk Factors
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You are more likely to develop lower UTI symptoms if you have certain risk factors, including age, prostate problems and catheter use. According to the University of Michigan Health System, men over the age of 50 are more likely to develop urinary tract infections. Prostate problems such as an enlarged prostate increase your chances of developing a UTI by decreasing your body's ability to completely empty the bladder. Additionally, the use of a catheter to drain your bladder may introduce bacteria to your urinary tract that could lead to an infection.
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