Bladder problems are a common issue for many men, especially those who are 40 years of age or older or who are overweight. There are many different types of bladder problems, but some are more frequently encountered than others. While bladder problems are common, the good news is that most of them can be successfully treated without a lot of time or expense. “Though many people are embarrassed to discuss bladder problems with their doctor, bladder problems can be a sign of a serious problem and should not be ignored,” said Men’s Liberty.
Difficulty Urinating
As men age, many of them will develop problems urinating. Problems generally include difficulty starting to urinate and the inability to completely empty the bladder. The inability to completely empty the bladder may make a man feel like he constantly needs to go to the restroom. The most common cause of urination difficulties is an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate tends to compress the urethra constricting the amount of urine that can pass out of the body. Prostate enlargement can be treated in different ways depending on the cause of the enlargement. Other problems, such as bladder stones, bladder infection, and STDs can also cause difficult urination.
Frequent Urination
The frequent need to urinate can impact a man’s life in a variety of ways such as making it difficult to take long trips in the car, the inability to sit through a movie and the constant worry of being too far from a restroom. In general, frequent urination is defined as having to go more than 8 times in a 24 hour period. Frequent urination can have a number of causes including as a result of aging, medication side effects, obesity, diabetes and prostate problems. A man who has frequent urination should talk to his doctor about the problem so that the doctor can rule out more serious causes of the frequent urination and recommend treatment options or lifestyle changes to reduce the severity of the problem.
Painful Urination
Painful urination is a condition that can have many causes. Many sexually transmitted infections, such as Chlamydia, can cause pain during urination. Pain can also be caused by bladder or kidney stones, urinary tract infections or prostate problems. Men who have painful urination that lasts for more than a few days or who has blood in their urine should see a doctor to have the source of the problem found as pain during urination is not normal. A physical examination and urine sample may be needed to determine the presence of an infection. Most causes of painful urination respond quickly to treatment by oral medications.
