Infection of the urinary tract in men? It occurs. The following are 10 things to know: So, exactly what is a UTI?

 An abbreviation for urinary tract infection is UTI. It's an infection of the organs in your body that take your urine out of your system and into the urinal. I call them pipes. Bacteria that get into the urethra, prostate, bladder, or kidneys are the most common cause of UTIs.

 

2. What distinguishes men and women with UTIs?

UTIs are diagnosed in far more women than men. We believe that women have a shorter urethra—the tube that connects the bladder to the outside world—than men do. Because it is shorter, bacteria can get to the urinary system more easily. Because men have longer urethras, they are more resistant to urinary tract infections.

However, the length of the urethra alone cannot protect men from UTIs; 12% of men will experience UTI-related urinary symptoms in their lifetimes. This does not imply that the penis or urethra are short or small. Beyond the length of the urethra, there is typically a more obvious pathologic cause of the infection in men.

 

3. What factors make certain men more susceptible to UTIs?

A man may contract a UTI for a variety of reasons, all of which we take seriously and should not be ignored.

Men more established than 50 will generally get a larger number of contaminations than more youthful men. As a urologist, I see men with enlarged prostates who fail to empty their bladders properly, resulting in recurrent infections. If a man has nerve damage from a stroke, uncontrolled diabetes, or an injury to the spine, he may not be able to empty his bladder beyond the prostate. Infections that begin in the prostate or testicles and spread to the bladder can also affect men, as can infections that spread from the bladder to other organs. An infection can also be brought on by kidney stones. This is something I know personally because I have a kidney stone!)

Sexually transmitted diseases can also cause urinary infections in younger men. A recent urinary system procedure can also result in an infection in men.

 

4. What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?

Dysuria, burning sensation when urinating, increased frequency of urination, urgency, incontinence, foul odor, blood in the urine, fever, chills, and abdominal pain near the bladder Believe it or not, urine cultures taken for other purposes may be used to diagnose a UTI in men who have no symptoms.

 

5. How do UTIs get diagnosed?

Sending your urine for a culture helps determine if you have a UTI. A sample of your urine is processed during this time and tested for various bacterial strains. E. coli is the bacterium that is found most frequently in urinary tract infections. The results of the culture can help direct treatment, which typically consists of oral antibiotics. A urine analysis, which can be performed quickly in our office, can indicate an infection. However, a real culture is the best test.

Before beginning treatment, doctors do not wait for the culture results, which can take anywhere from one to three days. An antibiotic will be administered immediately if an infection is suspected, and the dosage will be adjusted based on the results of the culture.

 

6. How does a UTI get treated?

Antibiotics administered intravenously or orally typically treat UTIs. Oral antibiotics are effective against the majority of infections. However, there are superbugs that may be resistant to oral antibiotics and necessitate IV administration of stronger antibiotics. Treatments typically last seven to ten days, but they can last longer.

Strong intravenous antibiotics are administered immediately to control severe infections that have entered the bloodstream. In order to begin these powerful treatments, patients are admitted to the hospital. If you have an infection in your blood, you don't have to stay in the hospital for weeks. You can continue these IV treatments from home as long as you are doing well, with no fever, normal lab results, and a healthy heart and pulse. Your condition is the focus of each treatment.

 

7. Can home remedies be used to treat UTIs?

My response as a physician is: No. Men shouldn't attempt to treat contaminations all alone. Go to a doctor or the emergency room if you experience symptoms.

 

8. How can they be avoided?

The best way to prevent something is to first make sure there is nothing anatomically wrong that needs to be fixed, like a big prostate, a kidney stone, or a blockage.

Infections can be avoided with proper hygiene. Men with uncircumcised penises should check that they can properly clean under the foreskin and the glans and retract the foreskin. It has been demonstrated that cranberry supplements aid in infection prevention. Drinking enough fluids and water throughout the day can also help you stay hydrated. It can also help to avoid holding your urine. Infections can also be avoided by maintaining good health to avoid chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

 

9. My illness is gone. What long-term effects will this have on my body?

Your urethra could develop strictures, or tight scars, if you suffer from recurrent infections that go untreated. These scars would slow the flow of urine and make it difficult to empty your bladder. The bladder may also lose its capacity to properly fill and empty due to infections. If you are being treated with antibiotics on a regular basis, we may eventually run out of antibiotics to give you because of resistance.

 

10. What should I do next after getting treated for my first infection?

Antibiotic treatment should be the first priority.

After that, a comprehensive workup, including an examination of the genitals, a detailed history, and an evaluation of any ongoing medical conditions, we look for anatomical issues like a foreskin that won't retract back. A CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis may be performed to check for kidney stones, clogged tubes, and other abnormalities.

A cystoscopy, in which a camera is inserted inside a small tube into the urethra to examine the inside of your urine channel, is probably performed by a urologist. The cystoscopy is helpful in detecting bladder wall changes, large obstructing prostates, and strictures. Once a cause is identified, either medication or surgery are used to aggressively treat it.