Not so common in men under 50, UTIs are a problem that tends to affect slightly older men. Urine infections come from bacteria in the bowel. While these bacteria are not bad for the bowel, when released, they become harmful to other parts of the body. Sometimes the bacteria manage to make their way to the urethra, which is the tube that channels urine out from the bladder. The bacteria can travel up the urethra and into the bladder causing a bladder infection or a urinary tract infection. The problem is that these bacteria tend to do very well when in urine, so they multiply quickly. You can have a lower UTI which is when the infection is in the bladder and urethra, but if left untreated, it can travel toward the kidneys, causing an upper UTI or kidney infection. This is very serious as it can damage the kidneys and it is also extremely painful. Luckily urinary tract infections tend to have quite striking symptoms. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should visit your doctor immediately.
1. Need to pee more often
When you have a urinary tract infection, you will feel like you need to urinate far more often. You will find yourself running to the toilet as the feeling creates a sense of urgency like you need to go immediately. However, when you get to the toilet, you will find that you only urinate a very small amount and it is quite hard to get out. As soon as you have finished urinating, you will feel as though you need to go again.
2. Dysuria
Dysuria is a burning sensation when you pee. It can be extremely painful and can range from a tingling to a fiery sensation. Sometimes it is followed by a stabbing sensation in the lower abdomen. The stabbing usually comes after the burning sensation. The pain can be overwhelming and this, itself, is enough of an indicator to show you have a urinary tract infection.
3. Hematuria
Hematuria is when you experience blood in the urine. This is far less common than the other symptoms and only tends to happen if it as a particularly bad infection. However, unlike women who wipe after urinating, it can be more difficult for men to notice that they have blood in the urine as the color dilutes in the toilet water. Try to look for a reddish tinge.
4. Cloudy Urine
When you go to the doctor to see if you have a bladder infection, they can usually tell instantly from your sample as it will be cloudy. The cloudiness can be from bacteria that releases gasses into your pee, which makes it appear cloudy.
5. Foul Smelling Urine
When you have a bladder infection your urine will have a very strong smell. It can be quite a foul smell, as though the pee is stale, kind of when you walk down an alleyway!
6. Low Level Fever
When you have a particularly bad UTI, you may find that you experience a low level fever. It can give you a headache and your temperature will rise a little too.
7. Sickness
If you have an upper UTI, you may be sick. You may find it difficult to keep anything in your stomach, including water. This is a problem as you need to drink as much as possible to help flush the infection out.
UTIs can be damaging if not caught early. Making sure you have the right minerals in your body can also help prevent this. Try taking ‘Ultimate Man Once a Day’.