Difficulty with Urination
Many men experience urinary issues, especially as they get older. While age does make it more likely to have these issues, many times we can correct the issue and improve your symptoms. Sometimes urinary issues may be a sign that something serious is happening inside or even outside the urinary system, so it’s important to address these issues with your doctor and urologist.
Some common symptoms include dribbling after urination, weak stream, excessive frequency, getting up at night many times (nocturia), and leaking of urine and no control. If you have these symptoms with fever, abdominal or back pain, or bleeding you should be evaluated as soon as possible or go to the emergency room. These could be signs of an infection, kidney stone, prostate cancer or other serious conditions. Dr. Shaba and Southeast Valley Urology can help you figure out what is causing your symptoms and how to fix them.
Symptoms of urinary difficulty:
- Painful urination
- Urgent or frequent urination
- Weak stream
- Getting up at night (usually more than 2-3 times)
- Dribbling or leaking of urine
- Hesitancy or retention (feeling like you need to go, but cannot or only a little comes out)
Causes of urinary difficulty:
- BPH- enlarged prostate
- UTI- urinary tract infection
- Prostatitis- inflammation of the prostate
- Prostate cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney stones
- Urethral infection
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Diabetes
- Constipation
- Overactive bladder
- Dietary stimulants- caffeine, spicy foods, alcohol, energy drinks, sodas, acidic drinks Dehydration- or just not drinking enough water
- Stroke
- Neurologic disorders- spinal injuries, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s
- Recent surgery
- Excessive pain medications or hospitalization
Evaluation and Diagnosis:
Your physician will take a history and do an exam to determine the cause of your symptoms. Common blood or urine tests as well as imaging may be included. Some of these tests may include:
- Urinalysis and culture
- PSA
- BUN/Creatinine and GFR- kidney function tests
- Cystoscopy- a small camera placed into the bladder
- CT scan or Ultrasounds of the abdomen
- PVR- post void residual scan- bladder ultrasound to see how well you empty your bladder
Treatment:
Some urinary issues require medical treatment, and some are more “lifestyle” complaints and are left up to the patient- based on their level of discomfort. Depending on the cause of your urinary difficulties, Dr. Shaba and Southeast Valley urology will tailor a treatment plan to resolve and improve your symptoms. We offer a variety of treatments from natural/lifestyle changes, to medication, to minimally invasive procedures.
Sometimes something as simple as dietary or lifestyle changes can be made that can dramatically improve your symptoms. Even physical therapy for the pelvic floor muscles can help at times.
Medications can include antibiotics to decrease inflammation or infection. Other medications work directly on the prostate, urethra and bladder to improve symptoms.
Surgical procedures may be required in more severe cases or if someone is unable or unwilling to take medications. Most of these procedures have over 90-95% success rate with minimal recovery.
With any of these treatments there are pros and cons, and Dr. Shaba will help explain these and decide what treatment, if any, will work for you.
For more information please visit: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/all-conditions
