The heavy burden of life and work pressure has overwhelmed men’s physical health, leading to many men suffering from urethral infections. Urethral infection diseases are caused by infections in different areas, and due to their recurrent nature, the prognosis and treatment plans vary. Therefore, distinguishing upper and lower urinary tract infections, and identifying the location of urinary tract infections, are of significant importance.
There are various causes of urethral infections in men
The main cause of urethral infections is infection, and the causes of infection are diverse. It can be viruses, bacteria, fungi, as well as tuberculosis, chlamydia, trichomonas infections, etc. Specifically, the main reasons that cause male urethral infections include the following:
1. Urinary tract obstruction: After urinary tract obstruction occurs, there will be difficulty in urination, which makes it difficult for bacteria in the bladder to be expelled, leading to a large reproduction of bacteria in the bladder. Moreover, the urinary tract tissues above the site of urinary tract obstruction, due to increased pressure, affect their local blood circulation, reducing the local mucosa’s ability to resist infection, thereby making urethral infections easier.
2. Use of instruments for bladder examination: Such as cystoscopy, catheterization, or catheter retention, when operated incorrectly by doctors in some informal medical institutions, can cause upper urinary tract infections.
3. Congenital urinary tract malformations or voiding dysfunction: People with conditions like incomplete kidney development, polycystic kidneys, ureteral malformations, or vesicoureteral reflux (an abnormal phenomenon where urine flows back from the bladder to the pelvis during voiding) are prone to urethral infections.
4. Abuse of drugs like phenazopyridine and other antipyretic analgesics: Can lead to renal papillary necrosis, which can impair the kidney’s defense function and cause urethral infections.
5. Other reasons leading to urethral infections.
Men with urethral infections should remember to seek timely treatment
Many urinary tract infection diseases may present symptoms of urethral infections. However, some friends often make wrong judgments when experiencing discomfort due to lack of understanding of the issue, resulting in unnecessary harm to themselves. What are the symptoms of urethral infections?
1. Urinary irritative symptoms, such as frequency, urgency, pain, discomfort during urination, etc. These symptoms may vary in severity among different patients. Patients with acute inflammatory conditions often exhibit obvious urinary irritative symptoms. However, in elderly individuals, children, and patients with chronic urinary tract infections, the urinary irritative symptoms are usually milder, such as mild frequency, urgency, or discomfort during urination.
2. Clinical manifestations of urinary tract infections are diverse. Based on the location of the infection, urinary tract infections can be divided into pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis; based on the presence of functional or structural abnormalities in the urinary tract, there are complex and uncomplicated urinary tract infections; based on the nature of inflammation, they can be categorized as acute and chronic urinary tract infections.
3. Systemic toxic symptoms, such as fever, chills, headache. Mainly seen in upper urinary tract infection patients, especially in cases of acute urinary tract infections and patients with urinary tract obstructions. Urinalysis may show leukocytes, red blood cells, or proteins; blood tests may reveal elevated white blood cell counts; urine culture may be positive for bacteria.
An understanding of the symptoms of urethral infections is beneficial for individuals with urinary tract infection-related diseases to understand the reasons for their discomfort, urging patients and friends to seek timely medical attention in formal hospitals, which can be helpful in treatment and disease management.
Men should hold the three lines of defense against urinary tract infections
Of the urinary tract diseases, urinary tract infections are the most common. To prevent them, it is necessary to hold the “three lines of defense”.
First line of defense
Maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid bacteria
Xiao Liu, just 30 years old, has always been healthy, but these days she always feels like going to the restroom. She experiences a burning sensation while urinating, measures her temperature and finds it to be 38.6℃, which alarms her to quickly visit a hospital. After inquiring about her condition, the doctor learns that Xiao Liu, who works as a secretary, rarely drinks water due to her busy work schedule, enjoys eating spicy food like hot pot, and prefers wearing tight silk underwear. Based on the results of urine tests and other examinations, the doctor diagnoses Xiao Liu with “acute lower urinary tract infection.”
Experts explain that the human urinary tract consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, etc. Normally, there are bacteria residing around the urethral opening, and although some bacteria can enter the bladder, not all will cause infections. However, if one drinks less water or holds urine frequently, the urine cannot flush away the bacteria in time. Additionally, women have a naturally shorter urethra, which is close to the anus, making it easier for bacteria to enter the urethra. Coupled with tight underwear, which increases local temperature, bacteria can proliferate in the urinary tract, potentially causing a urinary tract infection. Research shows that individuals with obstructed urine flow have a 12 times higher risk of developing urinary tract infections compared to normal individuals.
In fact, upon careful recollection, almost everyone has experienced holding urine. Occasionally holding urine, as long as the bladder pressure is not too high, has no serious implications. However, for occupations like taxi drivers, white-collar women, etc., due to work stress, poor restroom hygiene, they might develop the habit of drinking less water and holding urine, thus increasing the risk of urinary tract infections.
To prevent urinary tract infections, it is essential to avoid bad habits and maintain the first line of defense. Regarding urinary tract infections, the renowned Mayo Clinic in the United States offers two recommendations:
One is to drink more water and avoid holding urine. Drinking plenty of water can dilute urine, cleanse the urethra, but avoid drinking coffee, alcoholic beverages, or beverages with caffeine or fruit juice, as these drinks during urinary tract infections can stimulate the bladder, causing frequent urination.
The second is to maintain good hygiene habits. Women should wipe with clean toilet paper after defecating from front to back to avoid contaminating the vaginal opening. If the restroom has washing facilities, it is best to carefully rinse the anal area; additionally, avoid unhygienic sexual practices and urinate immediately after sexual activity to help expel bacteria from the urethra and bladder.
Moreover, it is advisable to avoid tight-fitting clothing such as jeans, tight underwear, etc. Women should avoid using products that could irritate the urethra. Individuals with urinary tract infections can apply a hot water bag to the lower abdomen, which helps relieve bladder pressure and discomfort.
Second line of defense
Control chronic diseases to boost immunity
Having good habits is not enough to prevent urinary tract infections; it is also essential to stay away from chronic diseases, holding the second line of defense.
The urinary tract is interconnected functionally with surrounding tissues. Activities affecting other organs can also heighten the risk of urinary tract infections.
Firstly, systemic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney diseases, chronic diarrhea, which weaken the body’s immune system, increase the risk of urinary tract infections. For instance, diabetic patients have reduced immunity due to endocrine disorders, elevating the risk of various infections, with urinary tract infections accounting for 16%-35% of cases.
Secondly, urinary tract obstruction for various reasons can directly cause urinary tract infections. Conditions like ureteral and kidney stones, urethral strictures, enlarged prostate can lead to urine retention, making it easier for bacteria to proliferate and cause infections. Urinary tract infections triggered by lower urinary tract obstructions are more common. Studies show that the incidence of urinary tract infections due to urinary tract obstructions is over 10 times higher than in those without obstructions.
Additionally, injuries to the urethra itself can cause damage. Recent procedures like urethral catheterization, cystoscopy, urinary tract surgeries can lead to local mucosal injuries, introducing pathogenic bacteria into the bladder or upper urinary tract, inducing infections.
Especially in aging individuals, as age increases, the body’s defense capabilities decline, endocrine changes occur, urinary tract obstructions and bladder reflux become more common, along with conditions like renal vascular sclerosis, reducing the body’s protection of the genitourinary system. Post-menopausal women experience decreased estrogen secretion, causing atrophy and thinning of vaginal, urethral, and bladder tissues, leading to difficulties in urination, urgency, and urinary tract infections. In elderly men, prostate enlargement increases the risk of urinary obstruction, enhancing the risk of infections, thus reducing the gender gap in urinary tract infections.
So, when should one be vigilant about urinary tract infections? The American Women’s Health Information Center has summarized the five most common indicators, warning individuals to seek medical attention immediately if experiencing the following symptoms: 1. Frequent, urgent urination, a constant urge to urinate, feeling a strong urge just after urinating, but producing little urine each time; 2. Painful urination, burning or stinging sensation during urination; 3. Lower abdominal heaviness; 4. Foul-smelling urine, turbidity, and/or redness; 5. Fatigue, fever, chills.
Third line of defense
Standardized treatment to reduce recurrence
If an individual inadvertently contracts a urinary tract infection, there is no need to overly worry as most cases can be cured with timely standardized treatment. However, it should be noted that the risk of recurrent infections post-urinary tract infection is significantly higher than in individuals who have never had one, hence preventing recurrence is crucial, holding the third line of defense.
During the initial stage of a urinary tract infection, many people may not exhibit obvious symptoms, with some even being asymptomatic, leading to potential neglect. Many women only discover they have a urinary tract infection when pathogenic bacteria spread, causing conditions like vaginitis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory diseases, etc.
Therefore, if experiencing symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, pain during urination, chills, fever, back pain, one should be extra vigilant. In women, an increase in vaginal discharge, swelling at the urethral opening, purulent discharge, vaginal and external genital itching, indicating a likelihood of ascending infection. Once it progresses to chronic urogenital inflammation, multiple complications might arise, for example, males could develop epididymitis, orchitis, prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis, nodules in the epididymis, reduced sperm count, decreased quality, etc.; while females could develop vaginitis, cervicitis, salpingitis, endometritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, etc.
In case of the above symptoms, timely medical consultation is crucial. It is worth reminding some patients may feel that their symptoms have “disappeared” during treatment and might stop taking medication prematurely, leading to recurrence. Therefore, it is emphasized that treatment of urinary tract infections must follow medical advice, adhering to timely, adequate, and full-course treatment principles, and medication should not be stopped arbitrarily. Otherwise, recurring urinary tract infections might occur.
Being timely means recognizing diseases and treating them early. After confirming a urogenital infection, most individuals will first receive sensitive antibiotics based on common pathogenic bacteria. Before determining the type of pathogenic bacteria, fluoroquinolones, penicillin, aminoglycoside antibiotics, cephalosporins, etc., can be used, followed by timely adjustment of medication based on urine culture and sensitivity test results. Adequate intake refers to using sufficient amounts of antibacterial drugs to achieve concentrations in the blood sufficient to eradicate pathogenic bacteria within a short time. Full-course treatment means the treatment duration should be sufficient. The use of antibacterial drugs should continue until symptoms disappear and urine culture turns negative for at least two weeks.
