Common bladder issues in men and how urologists can help

Common bladder issues in men and how urologists can help

When a man is experiencing urinary issues, it is time to make an appointment with a urologist.  Urologists are a type of medical doctor specializing in the male and female urinary tract system and the male reproductive organs.  They have extensive training in diagnosing and treating these problems.   They will be able to make an accurate determination of the situation and can help a man with what is causing his urinary difficulties. 

Urinary problems in men are fairly common but especially in men past the age of 50.  Increased urinary frequency, urinary urgency, or trouble starting a urine stream, are just a few of the issues men may have to contend with in later years.

The process of eliminating urine from the body may seem straightforward but is a surprisingly complex process.  The process begins with nerves sending signals from the brain through the spinal cord to the bladder and sphincter muscles. All of this happens within a split second as the signals tell the bladder exactly when to open or when to stay closed.  When the process is working correctly, a man should have no problem with urination.  But, there can be a number of

Here are some of the most common bladder/urinary problems in men in which a urologist can help with:

·      Urinary incontinence

Having urinary incontinence is when a man has an involuntary loss of urine.  This might occur if a man sneezes, coughs, or even when lifting a heavy object.  It can also be associated with the involuntary urge to urinate which is known as urge incontinence or if a man has a constant dribble of urine known as overflow incontinence. 

·      Damaged nerves in the urinary tract

If nerves in the urinary tract have been damaged, this may affect a man’s bladder control by interrupting the nerve signals required for bladder control.  Damage to these nerves can result from diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or a spinal cord injury.

·      Overactive bladder

An overactive bladder is when a man will have a sudden urge to urinate.  The urge may be so strong that it can be very difficult for a man to stop it which can lead to the involuntary loss of urine.  This can be an embarrassing ordeal for a man which could lead to him limiting his work or social life. 

·      Prostate problems

The prostate is a gland about the size of a golf ball surrounding the urethra, the tube which carries urine from the bladder out of the body.  The prostate gland is responsible for adding fluid to semen before ejaculation.  As men get older, it is common for the prostate gland to enlarge, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).  When the prostate enlarges, it will squeeze the urethra which will affect the urine stream causing it to become weak along with increasing the urgency to use a bathroom, especially during the night. 

·      Prostate cancer

Many of the same symptoms of BPH could possibly indicate prostate cancer.  The best way for a man to know for sure, is to have a prostate specific antigen blood test conducted yearly, beginning at age 40. 

Seeing a urologist

A man experiencing any of the above urinary issues should see a urologist to find out the reason for the problem.  They will take a detailed medical history asking several questions about medications taken and all medical conditions a man may have. 

It is not uncommon for a urologist to ask for a voiding diary, in which a man will record his fluid intake, how many trips to the bathroom within a day, and number of leakage episodes.  A digital rectal exam may be conducted to examine the prostate size and condition.  Additional tests may be required before a definitive diagnosis can be made.