Men who are aged over 50 or those who are diagnosed with an enlarged prostate commonly suffer from urinary problems. For younger men, other diseases like an overactive bladder or a urinary tract infection may be causing the trouble.
As urinating is one of the body’s natural functions, it is quite frustrating when you notice urinary problems. These bothersome urogenital conditions may present frequent visits to the comfort room most especially at night.
Simple changes in behavior and other natural remedies are available before approaching more costly and aggressive treatments.
Factors in Having Bladder Problems
Aging
As men age, the muscle within the bladder may contract more often and may cause more frequent trips to the restroom.
Enlarged Prostate
The difficulty of passing urine may also be due to a non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. The urinary outlet, narrowed by an enlarged prostate, may need to work harder during urination.
Medications
Some diuretic medications may also contribute to urinary problems.
How Bothersome Are Urogenital Problems?
Cases may differ for men suffering from the above conditions. You may notice unusual changes that indicate problems such as the following:
Delay in starting to urinate.
A pause in the middle of urinating.
Not completely emptying the bladder.
Having to strain passing out of urine.
Urinary urgency.
Incontinence.
While some can tolerate symptoms, others can’t. These problems affect not only sleep and work quality but also the overall quality of life. Thus, it is crucial to develop some modified practices in your daily activities.
Here are some management techniques that may help you cope with your existing urinary problems.
Modify your fluid intake
It may be as simple as not drinking any fluid at least two hours before traveling, driving, or before sleeping. You may also consider avoiding caffeinated beverages or alcoholic beverages after dinner.
Self-care Awareness
Lifestyle change is the most necessary step in treating urogenital problems. There are many home remedies you
may choose to incorporate into your lifestyle. These changes include eating foods with high fiber content, quitting smoking, maintaining a healthy weight.
Excess weight puts pressure on the urethra. Thus, it is crucial to have an active lifestyle and achieve an ideal weight.
Another self-care activity is to perform pelvic floor exercises. Kegel exercises work not only for women but also for men. Try practicing Kegel after urination when the bladder is already empty to know which muscle to control. To do this, stand at the toilet and contract the muscle that allows you to urinate and hold it for about 10 seconds. Do this regularly every time you finish peeing.
Train Your Bladder
Bladder training works by letting the urge to urinate pass and gradually increase your holding time each time you urinate. This program can take six to eight weeks to see improved results.
Here are some tips for improving your bladder habits:
Don’t delay the urge to urinate.
When you are out in public, try to urinate when you get a chance to go to a restroom.
Always empty your bladder when urinating.
Natural Herb and Food Remedies
Lingzhi mushroom
Extract from this herb helps to cure many illnesses aside of bladder problems.
Corn Silk
This traditional medicine helps prevent incontinence by strengthening mucous membranes in the urinary tract.
Kohki Tea
This tea extract, found in China, is high in anti-oxidant properties. It aids in better function of the bladder even with some forms of bladder obstructions.
Pumpkin Seeds
Seeds or oil extracts from pumpkin have anti-inflammatory properties from their omega-3 content. This fatty acid improves abnormal urinary function and helps reduce incontinence as well.
Make sure to consult with a physician before trying out any supplement so as not to interfere with current medications. Another tip is to only buy from reliable sources to be sure that products are free from any contamination.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid
Remove food and drink products that worsen your condition. Some identified products that contribute to elevated symptoms are:
alcoholic beverages
caffeinated drinks
artificial sweeteners
soda
spicy foods
acidic foods like oranges and tomatoes
It is always best to increase water intake to avoid dehydration. Concentrated urine irritates the bladder making symptoms worse.
Treatment Options
If natural remedies do not work wonders for you, medication may be your option. The first step for medical treatment is a proper diagnosis by a qualified professional. Next are the necessary physical examinations.
For men with BPH, your doctor may prescribe medicines like alpha-blockers to relax surrounding muscles and improve urine flow. Anti-spasm drugs like anti-cholinergic or anti-muscarinic drugs will help patients suffering from symptoms of overactive bladders.
These drugs, however, may come with side effects. Note to always inform your doctor of possible undesired side-effects. For those who do not want medication or those whose lifestyle changes did not work well, patients may opt surgery.
Know What to Expect
All of the treatments mentioned above aims to alleviate symptoms and make you feel comfortable. If you are worried about the worsening of your conditions or anything, always seek medical advice from a professional. A common fear among men is that it may progress to a more progressive disease like cancer.
Your urogenital problem may worsen if you do not promptly address the symptoms. For your peace of mind, discuss present symptoms with your doctor and schedule regular appointments thereon.
