Dr. Roscoe S. Nelson, MD

It's not always permanent. Make sure you're doing Kegel exercises. I recommend 20 contractions for 5 seconds each and do this 3 times a day. Give it time, things are likely to improve.

Roscoe S. Nelson, MD

It's not your bladder that's weak, it's usually the sphincter that's weak or there is some dropping of the urethra leading to the incontinence. I would start by doing Kegel exercises regularly. I usually recommend 20 contractions (5 seconds each), three times a day. If not improved in 3 months, see a urologist.

RSN

No, you will not transmit a normal UTI through intercourse.

RSN

Probably. Burning with urination, or dysuria, is usually caused by a UTI. I would call your doctor for antibiotics or go to urgent care to get checked.

Roscoe S. Nelson, MD

This could very easily be a UTI. Probably should see your doc and get tested and treated with antibiotic.

RSN

No. Start Kegel exercises (look it up on internet) and if not improving see a urologist or urogynecologist. Very treatable.

RSN

Having blood in your urine is always serious. You need to see a urologist. Possibilities include broken blood vessel, kidney stone, infection, scar tissue and even cancer is a possibility. Cancer would be very rare in a 21 year old, but you still need to get checked out.

Roscoe S. Nelson, MD

It could be from what you are eating. It can be infectious, but that would usually be accompanied by some burning. Dark urine can be concentrated from dehydration. The only way to know for sure is have your urine checked at your doctor. There are some cheap test strips you can buy at the pharmacy but I'm not too sure on their accuracy.

RSN

This may be something called balanitis xerotica obliterans or BXO for short. You should see a urologist to confirm. Although this is probably benign there may be some things you can do to improve it or slow its progress.

Roscoe Nelson

I would ask the doctor to show you the peer review literature that supports this. Most of this therapy is not covered by insurance. I do not think this is the standard of care.

RSN
www.peedoc.com

Depends on why you're getting orchiectomy. If it's infection I wouldn't. If it's cancer I usually like to wait in case the patient needs to have chemo soon and it might impair healing. Some urologists will implant immediately.

RSN

Both nephrologists and urologists treat diseases of the kidney. Typically the nephrologists deals with the medical management of kidney disease and the urologist deals with the surgical management. Many urologists are comfortable managing and preventing stone disease but some prefer to send to nephrologist for this treatment.

Roscoe Nelson

There are both urogynecologists and urologists. Most urologists would be very proficient at managing your recurrent UTI. Options include naturals like cranberry or D-mannose, estrogen creams, prophylactic antibiotic, anti-septic type meds etc. You should be worked up and make sure it's not something mechanical (stone or not emptying).

Roscoe S. Nelson

It could be something you=E2=80=99re eating or there could be something else going on like having some blood in the urine. You should have a urine test to determine what is making it discolored. If there is blood you need to see a urologist.

It often is just an isolated finding. You need to have a confirmatory test. If that still has protein you need your kidneys checked out with a blood test and 24 hour urine. Usually your PCP can start this and if there is anything going on they will refer you to a nephrologist.

IC DIET
The idea behind managing your diet is to avoid foods and beverages that may irritate your bladder. Here is a list of some of the suggested items to restrict, followed by foods and beverages that a number of IC patients have noted do not cause them problems.

Milk/Dairy Products
aged cheeses, sour cream, yogurt and chocolate

white chocolate, non-aged cheeses such as cottage or American, frozen yogurt and milk

Vegetables
fava beans, lima beans, onions, tofu, soy beans and tomatoes
other vegetables and home grown tomatoes (which may be less acidic)

Fruits
apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, cantaloupes, citrus fruits, cranberries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pineapples, plums, pomegranates, rhubarb, strawberries and juices made from these fruits
melons (other than cantaloupes) blueberries and pears

Carbohydrates and Grains
rye and sourdough bread
other breads, pasta, potatoes and rice

Meats and Fish

aged, canned, cured, processed or smoked meats and fish, anchovies, caviar, chicken livers, corned beef, and meats which contain nitrates or nitrites
other poultry, fish and meat

Nuts
most nuts
almonds, cashews and pine nuts

Beverages
alcoholic beverages (including beer and wine), carbonated drinks such as sodas, coffee or tea, and fruit juices, especially citrus or cranberry juice.
non-carbonated bottled water, decaffeinated, acid-free coffee and tea, and some herbal teas. Call 1- 800TEALEAF for information on coffees and teas.

Seasonings
mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, salsa, spicy foods (especially such ethnic foods as Chinese, Indian, Mexican and Thai), soy sauce, miso, salad dressing and vinegar, including balsamic and flavored vinegars
garlic and other seasonings

Preservatives and Additives
benzol alcohol, citric acid, monosodium glutamate (MSG), artificial sweeteners such as aspartame (Nutrasweet=C2=AE) and saccharine, foods containing preservatives and artificial ingredients and colors

Miscellaneous
tobacco, caffeine, diet pills, junk foods, recreational drugs, cold and allergy medications containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, and certain vitamins

Although the list of foods to avoid may initially appear daunting, remember that there are still many foods you can enjoy. Some IC patients report that they have the least trouble with rice, potatoes, pasta, vegetables, meat, and chicken. With these foods as a base for your diet, you can create nutritious and flavorful meals. You can still cook for family and friends and share meals with them because the foods you can eat are the basic elements of a healthful, balanced diet. However, you may need to make some minoradjustments, such as setting your serving aside before adding seasonings. You may also want to consider adding a source of fiber to your diet to promote regular bowel movements.

Suggestions
With some imaginative effort, you should be able to come up with substitutions for your favorite foods and drinks which will not aggravate your symptoms. Here are a few suggestions:
Add a pinch of salt to carbonated beverages to make them flat.
Try reduced-acid orange juice now available in supermarkets.
Try Prelief a dietary supplement containing calcium glycerophosphate, which has been shown in research studies on IC patients to help reduce bladder pain and urinary urgency when used with acidic foods and beverages. For more information, call 1-800-994-4711 or go to www.prelief.com.
Boil down all sauces containing alcohol.

The average 70 year old man gets up 1.5 times a night to go pee. If your getting up more than once there may be something you can do about it. Most of the time (but not always) it's just benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and be treated with meds or minor surgery if meds don't work. You should talk to your doctor.