Millions of men suffer from urinary problems, coping with illnesses such as prostatitis – an inflammation in the prostate gland – and urinary tract infections or with milder ones like uncontrollable leaks of urine or the incapacity to start a urine flow. It is very important to identify the symptoms and begin treatment quickly because urinary problems can develop into life-threatening dysfunctions.
Some of the most common urinary problems include: decreased urine output, painful urination, difficulties with urine flow (difficulties in starting urine stream or maintaining it) or excessive urination at night (nocturia).

Urinary problems can be treated with medication, special fluid regimes or surgery. Decreased urine output can easily be restored with medical treatment. Adopting a prescribed fluid regiment and measuring urine output are good prevention techniques. When painful urination sets in it is usually a sign of an infection somewhere along the urinary tract. Medical tests will determine the exact location and prescribed medication will cure it in a couple of weeks. Urinary hesitancy requires urinary retention treatment: antibiotics from the doctor, drinking lots of fluids like fruit juices (cranberry juice is often recommended), applying heat to the lower abdomen area where the bladder is located so that its muscles can relax to aid urination and placing light pressure over the bladder so it can be forced to empty itself. If the incapability of urinate is cause by an enlarged prostate a possible solution can be surgery. To prevent urination during the night you could keep a diary of how much fluid you drink and how often do you urinate adding your daily body weight. If nocturia is caused by diuretic medications, it could help if you start taking them in the morning so they won’t affect your urine flow during the night. Also cutting of caffeine and alcohol before bed could stop urinary problems.
Some infections of the urinary system can lead to urinary problems. Urethritis – the inflammation of the urethra – can cause blood in the urine, a burning feeling while urinating and the urgent need to urinate. It can be prevented by avoiding trauma or chemical irritants. A good personal hygiene along with practicing safe sex can reduce the causes of urethritis. A kidney stone is a serious urinary dysfunction that can be prevented by drinking plenty of fluids to help your body produce urine. Depending on the type of stone, extra medications or other measures need to be taken to prevent the stones from returning. Practicing safer-sex behaviors may lower the risk of developing urethral stricture – a infection of the tube that carries the urine from the bladder outside the body. By treating it like all urinary problems should be treated – quickly and without hesitation – complications such as kidney or bladder infection may be prevented.
Urinary problems can be avoided if proper prevention methods are respected. It is wiser to urinate before and after sexual activity and clean the penis and anal areas before and after sexual activity. Also, wearing only cotton underwear and changing it at least once a day and avoiding fluids that irritate the bladder, such as alcohol and caffeine, are great prevention tips for urinary problems.