Urethritis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the urethra (urethra), both men and women suffer from it. There are infectious and non-infectious forms of the disease, the latter include traumatic, iatrogenic, allergic and arising from metabolic disturbances. Infectious urethritis is caused by microorganisms. These can be non-specific inhabitants of the genitourinary tract (streptococci, Escherichia coli, fungi) and specific pathogens of genital infections (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis, chlamydia). In addition to the main reasons, doctors also identify factors predisposing to the development of the disease:
- hypothermia;
- urolithiasis disease;
- inadequate water intake;
- heavy physical exertion;
- operations and manipulations on the genitals;
- promiscuous sexual intercourse.
Signs of urethritis
So, we figured out what
kind of disease
urethritis is. Its
symptoms are as follows: discomfort during urination or at rest (pain, pain, burning), discharge from the urethra, the need for frequent urination, but the amount of urine is small. Sometimes there is an increase in body temperature.
The doctor cannot determine exactly only by complaints, is it cystitis or urethritis. Their symptoms are similar, so you need to conduct a more detailed examination of the patient in order to more specifically determine which part of the genitourinary system is involved in the process.
How is this disease diagnosed and treated?
There is the following algorithm for diagnosing urethritis: symptoms (including complaints) indicate which organ system of the patient is affected, and this disease can be suspected. Then the doctor prescribes blood and urine tests, a smear of the discharge of the urethra and bacteriological culture. If there are still other complaints and it is necessary to determine the prevalence of the process in the urinary tract, then other diagnostic methods are also used, including instrumental studies (for example, ultrasound of the kidneys).
In some people, only during a laboratory examination, urethritis is accidentally detected, their symptoms were mild or completely absent.
When urethritis (symptoms) is found in a patient, treatment is prescribed as quickly as possible, not only because this disease worries a person and reduces the quality of life. Urethritis can also be complicated by the spread of infection higher in the urinary tract to the kidneys and cause inflammation. Its consequences can be vaginitis in women, inflammation of the testicles and their appendages, seminal vesicles, prostate, narrowing of the urethra in men.
Treatment includes the use of antibacterial or disinfectants, diuretics and immune-enhancing drugs, the use of warm linen from natural tissues.
How to prevent the disease?
An unpleasant disease such as inflammation of the urethra can be prevented if you observe personal hygiene and a culture of sexual behavior (including the use of condoms), regularly visit a urologist and treat diseases, avoiding chronicity of the process.