Diagnosis

A detailed anamnesis is decisive for making a diagnosis, which focuses on accompanying symptoms, gender and age of the patient and on the exact description of the problem with urination. It is just as important to differentiate whether a pain occurs at the beginning or end of a micturition as it is to distinguish whether the patient is an older man or a young woman. Women suffer significantly more frequently from infections of the lower urinary tract and bladder.

To confirm a suspected diagnosis, a urine sample or a smear of the lower urinary tract is recommended. This can identify a pathogen and start a targeted therapy. If there is a suspicion that the prostate gland is the cause of the problems with urination, a palpation through the rectum, a possible radiological image and a puncture of the prostate are groundbreaking.

If there are problems with the bladder, a simple ultrasound examination can also provide information about the cause. In the case of initial symptoms and persistent problems with urination, a visit to the family doctor is recommended. The doctor can arrange for urine tests and therapy if the pain is present.

If there is a problem of micturition over a longer period of time with a persistent urge to urinate, a urologist can also be consulted. A urological cause is not uncommon, especially in men over 50. If women experience recurrent pain or pain after sexual contact, a visit to a gynaecologist is also recommended.

In any case, a doctor should be consulted after several days of persistent symptoms. A general practitioner can often quickly isolate the causes and, if necessary, refer you to a urologist, gynecologist or other specialist. Harmless urinary tract infections often heal on their own after a few days.

For persistent, longer-lasting symptoms, a urinalysis is usually performed. This often enables the laboratory to determine the causative viral, bacterial, parasite or fungal pathogen and a targeted, causal therapy can be carried out. This is usually drug-based and consists of painkillers if there is more severe pain.

In addition, depending on the pathogen, a different agent must be applied. Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections. For persistent fungal infections, so-called “antimycotics” are used.

In the case of bacterial infections, an “antibiogram” can be prepared to determine the ideal antibiotic for treating the respective pathogen. Drinking a lot helps a lot with urinary tract infections because the flow through the kidneys and the bladder is increased and the pathogens can be flushed out more quickly. In addition, heat, in the form of hot showers or a hot-water bottle, can help to alleviate the symptoms.

For prevention, it is recommended that women urinate immediately after sexual intercourse. In hospital settings, on the other hand, there is a maximum time for lying bladder catheters and precise hygiene regulations to keep the risk as low as possible. If other problems occur during urination, the cause must be identified so that treatment can be given.

If the cause lies with the prostate, a variety of drug therapy can be used. At first, an attempt is made to relax the muscles of the bladder neck with light means, initially with herbal remedies, later also with so-called “alpha-blockers”. Drugs that intervene in hormonal processes are also used to reduce the size of the prostate again. Only when these therapies fail can and must an operation be performed.