Urinary symptoms
These are common, and often troublesome. They come in many flavours, including:
- Peeing too often
- Not able to pee
- Loss of control over peeing
- Peeing at night
- Pain on peeing
- Smelly pee
- Blood in the urine
Most problems aren't serious and sort themselves out, but some require a little more attention, so I hope you find this a useful introductory guide
Urine Infections
Common. More common in ladies. Usually resolve without treatment (your body is equipped with a wonderful immune system which sorts this out).
Symptoms: pain over the bladder, pain on weeing, peeing more frequently, smelly wee. If tested by special strips (a bit like how a polaroid photo develops) - can show microscopic traces of blood, protein, and leucocytes (posh name for the 'infection-fighting-white blood-cells') Samples are sent to the lab to grow bugs (as usually caused by bacteria), and test sensitivity to specific antibiotics.
Treatment: Antibiotics (usually Trimthoprim), drinking plenty of water / dilute squash (so much that your wee is almost clear!), consider cranberry juice (some find this helpful, it apparently alters the acidity of the wee)
If you don't get better: go back to the Dr to start/change antibiotics.
If you get worse (fever/shivers…the posh word is rigors/off food or vomiting/pain in your loins…that's round the back over the kidneys…2/3 of the way down towards the sides!)…anyway, if you get worse seek help from GP soon (you should use the on-call number, as you need antibiotics, and possibly a trip to hospital for strong antibiotics, as it is possible the kidneys are also infected. Sounds scary, but if treated, usually clears up nicely, and is not at all common anyway.
Recurrent urine infections (recurrent UTIs)
Prevent: drink enough. Ladies wipe front-to-back. Go for a wee after sex.
Get checked: GP can check for sugar in the wee (looking for Diabetes), or may be a sign of the immune system becoming rundown, which may herald another disease that your Dr should be looking for.
Frequent weeing
By Day: this may be a sign of urine infection. May also be a sign of diabetes - if associated with being run down, lethargy, and other infections - see a Dr.
By Night: may be all of the above, but additionally in chaps, may be an indicator of an enlarged prostate - see a Dr to discuss this further.
Loss of control
Incontinence: this is when normal control is lost. There are some things that Dr's can suggest to help. Often embarrassing for the patients, but remember, very common, so seek help.
Comes in 2 varieties, with some patients getting a bit of both. (also may happen during a faint or fit)
- Urge Incontinence
This is characterized by the patient who is walking round Debenhams, and knows where all the toilets are, as at any moment they get the feeling that they have to run to the loo, for fear of not making it in time!
- Stress incontinence
This is the patient who leaks when they cough/laugh. Has often to wear a pad, and has their social life and sex life ruined by this. There are ways your Dr can help - so come and see us!
Night-time weeing
This may be a sign of something as simple as an infection. May also be due to the 10 pints of Guiness the night before! This is a common sign in gentleman that their prostate gland may be becoming enlarged - see Dr.
In children, night-time wetting is common, and treatable. See a doctor for further advice on this, or our information leaflet.
Blood in the wee
This is known as Haematuria. It may be visible to the naked eye, or not (Microscopic/macroscopic haematuria). If you have pink or red urine, or even pass clots!… don't panic, simply arrange to be seen in the next surgery.
This is one of a number of Patient Information Leaflets available from the The Orchard Partnership.