A urinary tract infection, or a UTI, occurs when bacteria enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract. While females are 30 times more likely to get UTIs than males, UTIs are more common for men as they age.
This is mainly due to the fact that men have the possibility of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as they get older. The enlargement of the prostate gland puts pressure on the bladder, preventing urine from flowing normally. If the bladder does not empty completely, the remaining bacteria that is normally flushed out can grow into an infection.
UTIs develop from the bacteria that gets into the urinary tract through the urethra. There are several common causes, including the following:
Another common cause for UTIs are prostate problems, or more specifically, BPH. This occurs when the prostate enlarges and blocks the urethra. The flow of urine is then much weaker and prevents the bladder from fully emptying, which then allows bacteria to develop from the remaining urine and create an infection.
However, it is not to say that all men who have BPH will develop a UTI, but the risk of developing a urinary tract infection does increase for men struggling with BPH.
The most common symptoms for a urinary tract infection include:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to seek medical help. Some of these symptoms could be caused by conditions such as BPH, diabetes, inflammation, prostate infection, or kidney stones.
The causes of the UTI will determine what treatment will be right for you. Most UTI treatments include taking antibiotics for 10-14 days.
While it is not possible to fully prevent yourself from getting a UTI, changing your lifestyle can significantly lower the risks of getting a UTI.
If you would like to manage your BPH symptoms to lower the chance of developing a urinary tract infection, take the one-minute BPH quiz.
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