October is the month of fright. Halloween, scary movies, ghosts and goblins, they’re all designed to scare you. While Halloween is all in fun, health issues are really scary, right? But sometimes we get all worked up over something that turns out to be nothing. Here at KCUC, we hear about patients who totally freaked out over something they experienced during urination that turned out to be nothing at all. So before you let out a blood-curdling scream, take a breath and see if maybe there isn’t another cause. Here are three scenarios that might not be as scary as you think:
Pain When Urinating…a UTI or Irritation – Witch Is It?
Pain or a burning sensation during urination is a common sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). However, it could also be caused by chemical irritations from soaps or detergents, bubble baths or even spermicide. If you’ve recently changed something, try eliminating the suspected culprit and see if the burning stops. Note: Interstitial cystitis, or painful bladder syndrome, is another common culprit of painful urination. It is often mistaken for a UTI. If you’re not sure, see a urologist.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark…Urine
While a reddish or brownish color can indicate blood in the urine, it can also simply be the result of dehydration. Intense exercise, vitamin supplements and medications can be other culprits. Drink lots of liquids for a couple of days and see if your urine color returns to normal. If not, call your urologist. Kidney or liver infections, viruses, and some medications can cause blood in the urine.
Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble
If your urine feels hotter than usual, but doesn’t actually give you a burning sensation, don’t be alarmed. Urine usually reflects your body temperature, but if you have been working out, are pregnant, or are in warmer climates, it’s not unusual for your urine to feel warmer than normal. If it does not cool down an hour after your body has returned to its normal temperature, the cause could be a fever caused by an infection. Call a doctor.
It’s understandable to be afraid that something is wrong when our bodies start acting differently than usual, but the one thing we should never be afraid of is going to the doctor. If you experience these or other scary symptoms, and the problem doesn’t go away after you change your activities,, call your urologist.