Urinary tract infections in men may be less common than urinary tract infections in women, but they are no less serious. It is important for your long-term health to identify and treat urinary tract infections as soon as they are suspected.
Function
When small amounts of bacteria get into the urinary tract or bladder, they can feed on the fluid and salts naturally found in urine. A urinary tract infection refers to any bacterial infection of this nature that affects any part of the urinary tract system.
Misconceptions
It is a common misconception that only women get urinary tract infections. While women are far more likely to get urinary tract infections, they can also affect men and boys of all ages.
Identification
There are several classic symptoms of urinary tract infections in both men and women. The two most frequently mentioned are a burning sensation when urinating and the need for frequent urination. Other symptoms include cloudy or strong smelling urine. Less often a small amount of blood may be seen in the urine. Older men may experience mild to severe confusion at the onset of a urinary tract infection.
If you experience any of these symptoms or have any reason to suspect you have a urinary tract infection, it is important to see a doctor.
Warning
Men are more at risk for a urinary tract infection if they do not drink plenty of fluids, do not urinate after sexual intercourse, and do not wear cotton undergarments. Anyone with a deformity of the urinary tract system, an enlarged prostrate, or who has diabetes or sickle-cell disease are more likely to have a urinary tract infection.
If you experience vomiting, back pain, fever, chills, or discover blood in your urine or discharge from the penis, call the doctor immediately. These could be the signs of something more serious than a basic urinary tract infection. It may mean you have a kidney infection, which can seriously impair your kidney function for life if left untreated.
Time Frame
It is important to treat a urinary tract infection as soon it is identified. The vast majority of urinary tract infections in men can be treated in a week or less with antibiotics or sulfa drugs.
The longer a urinary tract infection is left untreated, the more likely you are to have serious long term side effects.
Tags: urinary tract, tract infection, urinary tract infection, urinary tract, urinary tract infections