Urinary Conditions & Diseases

Where urinary conditions and diseases are concerned, there are three primary types you may encounter. None are completely preventable, but lifestyle changes and awareness may decrease your risk. Also, note the symptoms early and visit your doctor for the fastest and best outcome.

Significance

• Do not dismiss urinary symptoms as unimportant or harmless. They may clear up on their own, but medical treatment is recommended. What appear to be mild conditions can grow into something serious or indicate a more serious underlying cause.

Incontinence

• The inability to control leaking urine from the bladder, urinary incontinence, is embarrassing and varies in severity from person to person. While some leak occasionally, others experience heavier episodes of release. Incontinence may be caused by pressure, like coughing or sneezing, on the bladder weakened by childbirth or prostate issues. You may also experience a sudden urge followed by uncontrolled release. This variant implies an underlying medical issue like urinary tract infection, stroke or central nervous system damage, among others. If your bladder is damaged or if you have other related nerve damage, you may be unable to completely empty your bladder, leading to continual leaking. Note that urinary incontinence is a symptom not a disease itself.

Urinary Tract Infection

• Most urinary tract infections (UTIs) involve the urethra or bladder, the lower urinary tract. Not everyone displays symptoms, but some include a strong urge to urinate, burning with urination and cloudy urine. Flu-like symptoms---fever, nausea, chills---along with upper back or side pain may indicate a kidney infection. Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract. Get treated immediately if you have a urinary tract infection. Untreated, the infection could spread to and permanently damage your kidneys. Typically, a simple round of antibiotics will quickly take care of the infection.

Blood in Urine

• Seeing blood in your urine can be shocking, but it's not always problematic. Exercise and aspirin both can contribute to gross hematuria, visible blood. Microscopic hematuria is blood in your urine that is only visible under a microscope. Whether you can see it or not, address it. Visible blood in the urine caused by exercise or certain medications will usually clear up on its own. In any other case, an underlying cause needs to be determined and treated. Some possible causes include UTI, kidney stones, kidney injury or disease, cancer or an enlarged prostate.

Prevention

• Incontinence is not preventable, but you can reduce your risk by avoiding urinary irritants like caffeine and certain foods, eat plenty of fiber to avoid constipation as an incontinence factor, and exercise. Lower your risk of UTI by drinking plenty of water, wiping from front to back to avoid bacterial spread from the anal area and avoiding scented feminine products like pads or douches, as these can irritate the urethra. Reduce your risk of some of the underlying causes of blood in your urine by improving your lifestyle: stop smoking, maintain a healthy weight and eat an abundance and variety of fruits and vegetables. A healthy lifestyle is your best offense against any urinary condition or disease.