A urinary tract infection, if left untreated, can even end up in the intensive care unit. Most of the time the disease, which affects men less often than women, is harmless. Often it is just very uncomfortable.
Strong urge to urinate, little urine and pain when urinating or blood in the urine – all of these symptoms indicate cystitis, the medical term for cystitis. the Cystitis should be clarified by a doctor urgently. Basically, men suffer four times less often a cystitis as women: Because the long male urethra ensures that the bacteria do not find their way to the bladder so quickly. The female urethra, on the other hand, is relatively short so that invading germs can reach the bladder faster.
The so-called Escherichia Coli bacteria, which can be found in a person’s natural intestinal flora, are responsible for the infection in the bladder and urethra. They only lead to complications if they find their way to the urethra.
“Entry gate for bacteria”
In men, however, a cystitis often has a different cause: “With them, the bladder almost never becomes inflamed, but almost always the prostate as the organ upstream of the bladder,” explains urologist Dr. Wolfgang Bühmann, who runs his practice on Sylt. The organ, also known as the “prostate gland”, is an ideal “gateway for bacteria”.
Enlarged prostate interferes with the flow of urine
There is another risk in older men: with increasing age, the prostate enlarges, every second man over 50 years of age is affected. Because of the enlarged prostate, the urethral constriction occurs, which can prevent urine from flowing normally from the bladder and leave urine residue. However, if the bladder is not completely emptied, it can lead to urinary tract infections. The residual urine that remains in the bladder is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria that can cause cystitis.
the Prostate enlargement in itself is not dangerous, but is part of the normal aging process such as “gray hair” and “wrinkles”, says Bühmann. A connection between benign prostate enlargement and prostate cancer has not been established.
Cold in the pelvic area is poison
Factors that promote such an inflammation include cold in the pelvic area, caused by wet swimming trunks, or long periods of sitting on a cold bench. They lead to poor blood circulation in the small pelvis, so that germs can multiply more quickly and cause an infection.
However, if the immune system is generally weak, the urinary bladder can become infected with the pathogens more quickly. If the immune system is weakened as a result of an illness or sometimes a urinary catheter can also be a cause of bacteria entering the prostate gland and causing inflammation.
Frequent sexual intercourse is also a potential risk factor: by exchanging body fluids, you can become more infected with the bacteria during sex.
Pain, fever and chills
Urinary tract infections in men can be much more uncomfortable than in women and are often associated with severe pain. In addition to strong burning sensation when urinating, there is often a fever, chills and a general feeling of illness often occur in the “strong” sex.
“This is because it is not the bladder as a ‘hollow organ’ but the prostate as a ’tissue organ’ that is inflamed,” explains Bühmann. “This is why the inflammation is more likely to find its way into the bloodstream and, in addition to the pain when urinating, leads to the invasion of germs throughout the body.”
Complicated and tedious than with women
It can be dangerous if a Prostataentzündung (Prostatitis) is not cured and spreads to the kidneys. In severe cases, blood poisoning is even possible. It is therefore advisable to consult a urologist quickly if you experience symptoms such as painful urination and increased urge to urinate.
If the prostate inflammation is treated, it usually lasts seven to ten daysuntil it heals. For comparison: a cystitis in women lasts an average of three to five days.
Examination and treatment: this is what the doctor does
If the doctor has identified prostatitis as the cause of the bladder infection, drug therapy is called for. “An inflammation of the prostate in men almost always requires antibiotic therapy because it often not only makes the prostate organ sick, but the whole body,” says Bühmann. A simple cystitis, on the other hand, can heal even without antibiotics with the use of effective herbal substances.
Home remedies are suitable for self-healing if the first signs are discovered in good time. Special bladder and kidney teas have proven their worth. Teas, for example with birch leaves, not only help flush the pathogens out of the body, but also fight inflammation and pain. When you have a bladder infection, it is important to drink a lot and make sure you keep your abdomen warm to prevent hypothermia.
However, if the cystitis does not heal after a few days, a visit to the doctor and the use of medication are inevitable – if the cystitis is not treated, it can affect the kidneys and trigger pelvic inflammation, which has serious consequences for the body can bring himself.
–
Important NOTE: Under no circumstances does the information replace professional advice or treatment by trained and recognized doctors. The contents of t-online cannot and must not be used to independently make diagnoses or start treatments.
– – .
