Dr Shalabh Agrawal is a leading urologist with a rich clinical experience of over 18 years. After obtaining his post-graduate degree in General Surgery from the prestigious Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, he joined the Army Hospital Research and Referral, Delhi – one of India’s apex medical institutes to pursue his super speciality training in urology. This expanded his exposure to handling a variety of urological cases. He has worked with some premium healthcare institutions in Delhi-NCR including the Army Hospital Research and Referral (New Delhi), Artemis Hospital (Gurgaon), Sitaram Bhartia (New Delhi), Metro Hospitals (New Delhi), Lok Nayak Hospital (New Delhi).
Common causes of frequent urination in men
Do you find yourself rushing to the bathroom every 20 minutes? If yes, then this article is for you. Frequent urination in men is a commonly shared woe. Most men, especially in the age group of over 50 years, experience distressing symptoms associated with urination. In this article, we will explore the various reasons for frequent urination and ways to manage it.
In the piece below, Dr Shalabh Agrawal, a leading urologist at the CK Birla Hospital, explains the reasons for frequent urination in males.
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Urination is our body’s natural mechanism of getting rid of waste fluids. Your urinary tract includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra.
Urine is produced in the kidneys where the waste and toxins are filtered from the blood. Then the urine flows through the ureters and gets stored in the bladder. Through the urethra, the urine is passed from the bladder and out of our bodies. On average, a person urinates nearly 4-8 times during the day.
Frequent urination in men is exactly what the name entails. It is majorly a symptom of an underlying condition that causes a person to pass urinate several times (more than 4-8 times) throughout a day. In this condition, a man experiences a reduced ability to hold urine in the bladder and an increased urge to pass urine.
Frequent urination is often associated with an underlying health condition. It can even compel you to wake up several times in the night to urinate. The condition in which your bladder forces you to wake up in the middle of the night is known as nocturia.
Everyone, irrespective of age and gender, can be affected by frequent urination. However, some men have an increased risk of suffering from this problem than others.
Older men, above the age of 50 and men with an enlarged prostate are at a higher risk of being affected by frequent urination.
As mentioned above, frequent urination is a sign and symptom of another health condition. Experiencing an increased need to urinate implies that there may be something wrong with a part of your urinary tract.
There are several different causes of frequent urination. Various health issues can affect the organs of your urinary tract.
Here are some common reasons for frequent urination in men:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Urinary tract infection in men is a highly common bladder infection. UTI is classified into two types – the upper tract UTI (the one that affects the ureters or kidneys) and the lower tract UTI (the one that affects the bladder or urethra). UTI is more commonly found in women, as compared to men. However, the prevalence of this infection in men is also rising.
Along with frequent urination, the symptoms of UTI include painful urination, burning sensation while urinating, pain in the lower abdomen and blood in the urine.
Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH): Benign prostate hyperplasia or prostate enlargement is among the top causes of frequent urination in men. It is an age-related health condition that leads to abnormal growth of the prostate. The enlarged prostate, then, begins to press against the urethra and causes the bladder to weaken.
Common symptoms of BPH, besides frequent urination, are a feeling that the bladder is full, even right after urinating, a weak flow or stream of urine, disrupted urine flow and more.
Bladder stones: If you are wondering why frequent urination occurs, bladder stones may be the answer. Bladder stones are small hard deposits of minerals that form inside the bladder. This condition happens when minerals found in the urine crystalise and clump together.
Changes in the urine colour, blood in urine, a disrupted flow and increased urge to urinate are common causes of bladder stones.
Prostatitis: The prostate gland sits right below your bladder. It is responsible for the production of seminal fluid. Prostatitis is a condition that causes the prostate gland to swell and become inflamed. It is a common condition that mostly affects the health of men over the age of 50 years.
Frequent urination symptoms can indicate the presence of this ailment. Other common signs include pain in the groin, genitals or pelvic area and flu-like symptoms.
Urinary incontinence: Urinary incontinence is the inability to hold urine often leading to involuntary leakage. Simply put, urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. Incontinence is widely different from frequent urination. Urinary incontinence is associated with urine leaking while frequent urination is related to an increased frequency.
There are different types and symptoms of urinary incontinence such as stress incontinence, urge incontinence, functional incontinence and overflow incontinence.
Diabetes: Diabetes is a chronic condition that leads to increased levels of sugar in the blood. The kidneys of a diabetic person have to work extra to filter excessive blood sugar. Sometimes, the kidneys cannot function properly due to which the extra glucose is excreted from your body through urine. Excretion of sugar can also lead to dehydration.
Frequent urination symptoms are common in a person suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Interstitial cystitis: Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome is a chronic condition that leads to pain and pressure in the bladder. Interstitial cystitis is more commonly found in women as compared to men.
Common symptoms include chronic or intermittent pain, pressure or discomfort in the bladder, frequent urination day and night.
If you are wondering what is the reason for frequent urination, one of the above conditions may be your answer. However, only an experienced urologist can diagnose the problem correctly.
The management or treatment of frequent urination depends upon its underlying cause. If the symptoms begin to disrupt the quality of your life, you should instantly seek medical intervention.
Your urologist will perform a variety of tests and analysis to diagnose the correct cause of frequent urination. Here is what you can expect during the diagnosis:
Your healthcare provider may order additional tests to confirm the diagnosis if they suspect the need for it.
The treatment of frequent urination depends upon the reason behind it. Your healthcare provider will aim to manage or treat the underlying cause leading to urinary symptoms.
If you are passing urine frequently due to diabetes, your doctor will offer effective management of your blood sugar levels. If the same is caused due to an infection such as UTI, then you will be offered certain medications to treat the bacterial infection.
Along with medication, your healthcare provider will help you regain bladder control through training and exercises. There are different forms of bladder training techniques used by doctors to control the constant urge to urinate male.
Frequent urination can easily translate into a habit. It is, however, possible to effectively control the urgency through some natural measures, such as:
Frequent urination in men is a leading cause of distress in older men. This condition can also equally impact younger men.
If you are experiencing increased frequency to urinate along with symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, pain in the lower back or side, changes in urine or abnormal discharge, you should immediately seek medical intervention.
For more information or personalised guidance on men’s urinary health, book an appointment with Dr Shalabh Agarwal, a leading urologist at the CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon.
Ques: What is the cause of frequent urination in males?
Ans: There are several reasons for frequent urination in men including prostate problems, urinary tract infection, sexually transmitted infection, diabetes and more.
Ques: How many times a day should a man urinate?
Ans: Normally, a man should urinate four to eight times a day.
Ques: When should you see a doctor about frequent urination?
Ans: You should see a doctor if you experience fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, cloudy or smelly urine, abnormal discharge and loss of appetite along with frequent urination.
Ques: Is frequent urination at night a sign of diabetes?
Ans: Yes, diabetes can cause frequent urination in the day and even at night.
Ques: Is frequent urination bad for the kidneys?
Ans: Yes, frequent urination can cause damage to kidney function.
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What causes a burning sensation when urinating or dysuria?
There are some things in life that we tend to ignore unless we find something bothersome about them. For instance, urine. When was the last time you thought of something like urination? Our guess: when you felt pain or discomfort like burning sensation when urinating.
Most of us can relate to the burning sensation after urinating. However common, it is a serious health concern that we must not ignore. In this article, Dr Shalabh Agrawal, the best urologist in Gurgaon, talks about the reason for pain during and after urination.
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Dysuria is a urological health concern in which a person feels burning and pain when urinating. Most people experience pain and burning after urination at the opening of the urethra (the tube that carries urine for removal from the body).
The intensity or severity of painful urination is different for everyone. However, the burning sensation after urinating is often described as a sharp sting.
The discomfort caused by dysuria is often a sign of some other underlying condition. It is often considered a symptom rather than a condition in itself.
Painful urination is a symptom itself. It is common for several health conditions. It is, thus, necessary to learn about associated symptoms for proper diagnosis.
Most of the times, burning sensation when urinating has additional symptoms accompanying it. These symptoms include:
Severe symptoms may also be attached when one experiences painful urination. These are:
Dysuria occurs when the urinary tract suffers from inflammation, injury or infections. There is a wide range of conditions that cause pain during urination by harming the urinary system.
Some of the most common reasons behind what causes pain when urinating are:
Pain during and after urination is also felt by other urological and gynaecological issues. Other dysuria causes include:
A burning sensation when urinating is an indicator of some other health condition. If this symptom is ignored, you cannot get proper treatment for the root cause.
Pain during urination can lead to various complications such as chronic pain, sepsis (a blood infection), infertility and spread of numerous other infections.
You should immediately seek medical intervention if dysuria persists for a long time. If you have an underlying health condition while experiencing burning and pain when urinating, you should consult your urologist or gynaecologist at the earliest.
If you experience an abnormal discharge from your penis or vagina, you should not take that lightly.
You can book a consultation simply based on feeling a burning sensation after urinating.
Your healthcare provider will do preliminary investigations to find the cause of painful urination. He/she will discuss your personal medical history and symptoms. It is helpful to track symptoms if the burning and pain when urinating has lasted for a long time.
Your urologist or gynaecologist will perform some basic diagnostic tests. You can expect to have blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound scans and X-rays. You may be indicated for additional tests depending upon your overall health.
The diagnosis is drawn to figure out the dysuria causes.
The treatment module is dependent upon the reason behind dysuria. The accuracy of the diagnosis can help your doctor decide which treatment method to offer.
You should discuss any underlying medical condition (even pregnancy) with your doctor. Make sure to inform your doctor about the types of medicines you would be presently taking (if any). If you have had a history of recurrent urinary tract infections, your healthcare provider may use a distinct way to treat you for optimum results.
In case of infections, your health care provider will prescribe relevant antibiotics as the first line of remedy. You may also be recommended to practice healthy lifestyle changes such as drinking more water and eating a well-balanced diet.
You should avoid drinking caffeine while you are suffering from dysuria as caffeine products can further irritate the urinary tract.
It is highly normal to feel a burning sensation when urinating once in a while. If you continue to experience painful urination along with other symptoms, then you should seek clinical care.
You can book an appointment with Dr Shalabh Agrawal, a senior urologist at the CK Birla Hospital, to learn more about the health of the urinary tract.
Ques: How can I prevent the burning sensation when urinating?
Ans: You can prevent burning sensation when urinating (dysuria) by drinking plenty of water, increasing your intake of Vitamin C and passing urine whenever the need arises.
Ques: What complications can arise if I don’t address dysuria?
Ans: Untreated dysuria can further cause chronic pain, sepsis (a blood infection), infertility and spread of numerous other infections.
Ques: When should I seek medical help for burning sensation when urinating?
Ans: You should consult a medical expert if you see blood in the urine or have a high-grade fever along with persistent painful urination.
Ques: How can I avoid UTI?
Ans: You can avoid UTI by staying hydrated, restricting your consumption of caffeine, maintaining hygiene and completely emptying your bladder every time you pass urine.
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Top 10 expert- approved tips for prostate cancer prevention
Prostate cancer is among the top ten cancers affecting men across age groups. It is highly prevalent in India and is the 6th leading cause of death in men. Despite the figures, the rising incidence of this cancer can be controlled by practising prevention measures. Prostate cancer prevention is a conscious choice to substantially lower the risk of its spread.
In this article, Dr Shalabh Agrawal, the best urologist in Gurgaon, offers his insights on how to prevent prostate cancer.
Table of Contents
Before we help you with ways to prevent prostate cancer, let us get a general overview of what is prostate cancer all about.
Prostate cancer is the abrupt growth of cancer cells found in the prostate gland. The prostate is responsible for producing seminal fluid and promoting the reproductive health of a man.
Prostate cancer symptoms usually become visible when cancer has advanced. Some of the common symptoms include:
Prostate cancer can only be diagnosed by a verified medical expert. Most people present with the above-given symptoms and undergo a variety of tests to find that they have prostate cancer.
Any man can develop prostate cancer during his reproductive age. Some men, however, have an increased risk of getting prostate cancer. The common risk factors include:
Yes, prostate cancer prevention is possible and effective. Though there is no single strategy that ensures ways to prevent prostate cancer, a variety of precautionary measures can be successful.
Here are some expert-approved tips on how to prevent prostate cancer:
1. Load up on fruits and vegetables: A healthy diet filled with a range of fruits and vegetables is customary to prostate cancer prevention. Several studies have proved that the antioxidants present in these food items prevent damage to cells present in the prostate.
Red fruits such as tomatoes are rich in lycopene (an antioxidant). Lycopene has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Other fruits and vegetables that protect against this cancer are leafy greens such as spinach, beans, peas, blueberries, grapefruit, oranges and watermelon.
2. Consider taking vitamin supplements: Vitamins and minerals are essential to our overall well-being. They are regarded as significant in prostate cancer prevention guidelines.
However, maintaining a well-balanced intake of vitamins, minerals and proteins through natural means is not always possible. Supplements help us to compensate for any nutrient demand that has not been met.
3. Exercise most days of the week: The importance of exercise for cancer prevention is crystal clear. Irrespective of your body weight, you are advised to engage in physical activity regularly.
Exercising helps promote better blood circulation, removal of toxins from the body and uplifting mood. Your immune system will be strengthened even if you exercise at least 4 days a week.
4. Maintain a healthy weight: Prostate cancer is linked with obesity – the more overweight a person becomes, the higher his chances of cancer get. One of the most natural ways to prevent prostate cancer is to maintain a healthy weight. Exercising regularly is a great path for healthy body weight. Physical activity promotes the loss of excess weight and fats.
5. Quit smoking: Tobacco consumption has a direct impact on the development of cancerous cells in the prostate gland. If you smoke cigarettes, it is your time to quit for prostate cancer prevention. If you do not smoke, we suggest that you should not start.
6. Restrict alcohol intake: An uncontrolled consumption of alcohol impacts your heart health negatively. It can additionally worsen your blood pressure levels, blood cholesterol and cause other health problems. A limit on the intake of alcohol is one of the top prostate cancer prevention guidelines. If you are already living with prostate cancer risk factors, it is advised that you restrict your alcohol consumption.
7. Take in more Vitamin D: All vitamins are essential to a healthy mind and body. However, vitamin D has additional proven effects. It is among the natural ways to prevent prostate cancer.
You should extend your exposure to the sun along with eating foods rich in vitamin D. Foods that can prevent prostate cancer and are rich in vitamin D are mushrooms, salmon and more.
8. Stay sexually active: The prostate gland has direct involvement in your sexual health. A healthy sexual life is your answer to can prostate cancer be prevented. Men who ejaculate frequently are at a safer distance from developing cancer cells.
9. Live stress-free: Stress is a leading cause of health complications in men and women. A man who lives a stressful life is often faced with problems on the sexual front.
It is necessary to monitor your way of living and perform meditation to alleviate stress levels. A sedentary lifestyle along with high-stress levels can increase the risk of prostate cancer.
10. Get early screening: Prostate cancer symptoms are not easily detectable in the early stages. Sometimes men may misinterpret these signs and symptoms of other health conditions. It should be noted that early detection of prostate cancer is the best prevention measure.
If you are living with risk factors such as obesity, old age, family history or even a sedentary lifestyle, you should consider going for regular screening for prostate cancer prevention. Your healthcare provider would offer a full range of diagnostics and imaging services to detect the presence of a cancerous cell and offer relevant prostate cancer treatment
If the cancer is found in its early stages, effective treatment can be given so that the patient feels complete relief and cancer does not occur again.
Prostate cancer prevention can be successfully done by incorporating the above-given tips in your every day.
If you wish to learn more about your risk of prostate cancer, book a consultation with Dr Shalabh Agrawal, urologist & andrologist at the CK Birla Hospital for personalised guidance.
Visit the CK Birla Hospital for more details on prostate cancer prevention guidelines and treatment.
FAQs
Ques: What are the main causes of prostate cancer?
Ans: There is no single cause of prostate cancer. Medical experts believe a change in DNA in the prostate gland leads to cancer, over time.
Ques: Can I prevent prostate problems naturally?
Ans: Yes, you can prevent prostate problems naturally by following healthy lifestyle habits that involve a well-balanced low-fat diet, regular exercise, no smoking and drinking, more vitamin D and low levels of stress.
Ques: What foods kill prostate cancer?
Ans: Foods that may help in slowing down the spread of prostate cancer include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, spinach and kale.
Ques: Does Ejaculation cause or prevent Prostate Cancer?
Ans: Medical experts have found that more ejaculation is linked to a decreased prostate cancer risk.
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