Urinary tract infection in men: causes, symptoms and treatment
Urinary tract infection in men is a very painful experience. It is caused usually by bacteria which attack the bladder and affects the urethra. The bacteria can go as far as affecting kidneys or the tubes that drain urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Although women are more prone to this infection, men get it too under some circumstances. The best part is, although there are some home remedies to it, UTIs can be treated using antibiotics.
In this article we have given you the symptoms to look out for when you feel you have the infection and also the treatment you will get. Keep scrolling and be in the know.
Urinary tract infection in men
The number of males being treated for UTI is rising annually with the most common factors that put a man at a risk of getting UTI being:
- Having multiple sexual partners
- Blockage of the urinary tract or kidney stones
- Rarely visiting the cloakroom because of low fluid intake
- Overusing antibiotics, which can disrupt the normal function of the urethra
- Poor personal hygiene
- Being immobile for extended periods
- Diabetes
Symptoms of UTI in men
The signs of UTI in men manifest depending on the part of the urinary tract that has been affected, age, and the presence of a catheter. The most common symptoms of urinary track infection in men include:
- Abdominal pains and muscle aches
- Vomiting and nausea
- A burning sensation or pain when urinating
- Bloody, cloudy, or strong-smelling urine
- Visiting the toilet frequently
In addition to the aforementioned, symptoms for a UTI where the kidneys have been affected will manifest in the following manner:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Chills and fever
- Pain on your sides or when you change your position
In case the symptoms persist to the extent of having difficulty urinating, fatigue, chills, fever, and pain in your scrotum and rectum, it could mean you have prostatitis – which is an infection of the prostate. Al the above are the most evident male UTI symptoms, which can all be treated by a certified medical practitioner.
What causes UTI in men?
The known cause of UTI is a bacterium called Escherichia coli (E. Coli) which occurs in the body naturally. This bacteria enters the urethra before getting to the urinary tract. Therefore, the question arises; can a man give a woman a UTI? It is possible because during sexual intercourse, there is an already existing bacterium in the man’s urinary tract.
Most of the time, urinary tract infection in men occurs in their prime years. This is because older men are more likely to get benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
When the prostate gland bulges than the usual size, the bladder neck becomes constrained making it harder for urine to come out. Not emptying the bladder as expected means bacteria that is flushed out during urinating will get a foothold in the urinary tract. Other factors that make a man vulnerable to getting UTI include:
- Having undergone a urinary tract surgery previously
- Fecal incontinence
- Being uncircumcised
- Engaging in anal sexual intercourse exposes the urethra to getting more bacteria
Prevention of urinary tract infection
Prevention is better than cure. It is always advisable to take caution so as to avoid getting UTI. Below are some of the preventive measures one can take.
- Avoid holding in urine, rather make frequent visits to the washrooms
- If you are uncircumcised, ensure to thoroughly clean the area under the foreskin when taking a shower
- Drink plenty of fluids with water being the recommended daily drink
- Before and after sex, cleanse your genitals carefully, which will also help your partner not to get UTIs.
- When having sex put on condoms
Can males get UTI from females?
UTIs affect women more as compared to men primarily because the urethra of women is shorter hence bacteria can easily travel to the urinary tract and attach itself there.
It is possible for a man to get a urinary tract infection from a woman during sexual intercourse. Although most men get UTIs from the bacteria E. Coli, which lives in the body. Therefore, it is necessary for both the man and woman to take necessary precautions to prevent getting the infection.
Natural remedies for UTI
For a long time, antibiotics have been known to be the only conventional mode of treatment used to cure all UTI underlying symptoms. However, due to their evolving nature, UTI causing bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, hence the need to find a viable alternative. Home remedies are proving to be the best option in reducing the risk of getting UTI recurrently while eliminating bacteria. Below is a comprehensive list of natural remedies known to treat UTI
1. Drinking plenty of water
Continuously drinking water throughout the day helps to flush out any existing bacteria in your system. It is advisable to drink at least one glass of water before every meal, and when snacking so as to keep the body well hydrated.
2. Urinate often
When the urge to urinate arises, it is important to go to the toilet to prevent bacteria that is in the urine to build up in the blood. Research shows that holding urine in the urethra for long allows bacteria the time to multiply within the urinary tract.
3. Intake of D-mannose
D-mannose is a form of sugar that is almost similar to glucose, and it is crucial in the body since it prevents bacteria from remaining on the walls of the urinary tract. Taking a little amount in your drinking water ill clear all bacteria from your system, and prevent recurrence of UTI.
4. Cranberry juice
Studies reveal that cranberry juice plays a significant role in reducing the chances of a person developing UTI in a year. Cranberry products help to inhibit the colonization and growth of bacteria that cause infection such as E. coli, the known bacteria that leads to developing a urinary tract infection.
5. Avoid foods with caffeine
Indulging so much in food with caffeine such as alcoholic drinks, hot or spicy foods, caffeine, and fizzy drinks worsen the UTI symptoms.
6. Eat a healthy diet
Feeding on food that is rich in fiber quickens the recovery from UTI. You can also get a variety of essential nutrients, which will be important in helping the body to heal by itself.
Diagnosing UTI in men
When diagnosing for UTI, the physician will ask some questions after examining you of whether you have suffered from UTI in the past. Later, you may be asked to provide sample of your urine to check if there is presence of bacteria. Any small indication of pus in the urine indicates you have a urinary tract infection. Processes involved in testing your urine include:
- The urine is observed under a microscope in a process known as urinalysis
- Later, the urine is taken to the lab for further check up in a routine process called urine culture
Diagnosing for UTI does require imaging tests of an X-ray more so in adults. By providing the urine sample a doctor will be able to determine the extent of the damage and administer the correct form of treatment.
Male urinary tract infection treatment
Once you have been diagnosed with urinary tract infection, you have to start taking antibiotics as prescribed by the physician. The pills can be taken either twice or thrice a day for at least five to seven days. Even if the symptoms fade, it is crucial to finish the whole dose so as for the infection to fade completely.
Another key thing during male UTI treatment is to remain hydrated while taking the antibiotics. Going to the toilet frequently while on medication helps to flush away all the bacteria in your system. Do not be tempted to reduce your fluid intake because urinating all the time is uncomfortable.
If you get a UTI where the kidney is involved, the doctor is likely to recommend the use of drugs in the list below:
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin)
- Levaquin (levofloxacin)
- Macrobid (nitrofurantoin)
- Monurol (fosfomycin)
- Bactrim (trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole)
- Augmentin (amoxicillin and clavulanate)
A doctor basing on factors such as those listed below will prescribe the above medicines:
- Whether the kidneys have already been infected
- Your ability to take two or more pills daily
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In cases of serious UTI infection, to the extent where your organs become affected, the physician is likely to advise using stronger antibiotics that will help relieve the pain. After the manifestation of any UTI symptom, it is advisable to take drugs immediately since the pain may disappear the same day or after 48 hours.
Although the causes and treatment are similar, urinary tract infection in men is not common as compared to females. After taking antibiotics between five to seven days, the infection clears. Males who have recurrent cases of UTI need to be examined by a doctor for conditions such as prostatitis. Urinary tract infection in men is cured depending on how fast one starts taking medication to relieve the pain. If symptoms persist and you need further assistance, always seek advice from your doctor.
This video will help you learn the symptoms and treatment of the UTI in men.
Disclaimer
The content in this write-up including images, graphics, and text is written for purposes of general information. Therefore, it is not to be substituted for treatment, medical diagnosis, or advice. Is symptoms persist, always seek advice from a certified medical practitioner.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
