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Have you ever noticed that your urine stream seems slower than usual? It's not uncommon to have changes in urination, significantly when dehydrated. However, a change in your urine stream could signify something more in your body.
Dr. David Shusterman and Dr. Chong-Min Kim are two experienced nephrologists specializing in urinary conditions at their practice, NY Urology. Dr. Shusterman and Dr. Kim offer specialized care when you're having difficulty with urination.
Your body has many systems that keep you healthy and rid you of harmful toxins. Your urinary system is one of the leading systems in your body that works to filter waste products and toxins out of your body through urine.
Four main components make up your urinary system, which includes:
Each of these structures works closely with the others to ensure your body gets rid of excess fluid and wastes efficiently. They also work with your circulatory and digestive systems to filter extra nutrients and waste products out of your blood to be excreted through your urine.
However, when there's a problem with one of the components of your urinary system, it significantly impacts your health. Without a healthy urinary system, harmful toxins and wastes can build up in your body and cause illness or disease.
Your urine can tell you a lot about your urinary system health. But it's not only the color and frequency of your urine that you should be aware of — the speed and flow of your urine are just as important.
Several conditions affect your urine stream, some of which include the following:
UTIs can affect different parts of your urinary system. They often come on after bacteria enter your body through your urethra, causing an infection in your bladder, kidneys, or urethra. Symptoms of UTIs include frequent urination, pain, and foul-smelling urine.
Men often suffer benign prostate hyperplasia, or BPH, as they age. The enlarged prostate puts pressure on your urethra, blocking the flow of urine out of your body. If you notice that your urine stream is either hard to start or slower than usual, you may suffer from BPH.
There are plenty of treatments for BPH, including medications and the Urolift procedure to improve urine flow.
If you have diabetes or high blood pressure, you're at risk for kidney disease. This condition makes it harder for your kidneys to filter toxins and waste products out of your blood. Certain medications, specifically non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, can damage your kidneys when taken too often.
Kidney stones are clumps of minerals that form in your kidneys. When the stones get lodged in your urethra, you experience severe pain and difficulty urinating. The stones block the urine flow out of your body until they pass.
If you can’t pass your kidney stone on your own, we can use ultrasound waves to break up the stone into smaller pieces, allowing it to leave your body through urination.
You may also have structural issues in your urinary system, which can cause issues with your urine stream. These issues may be present at birth and get worse as you age, eventually causing problems with urination.
When you notice your urine stream is slower and more often than usual, we recommend some tips to keep your urinary system healthy. These lifestyle tips include:
However, if you notice a difference in your urine flow, speed, or color, you must see us for an appointment. Dr. Shusterman and Dr. Kim use state-of-the-art technology to test your urine for infection or BPH.
If they find an issue, Dr. Shusterman and Dr. Kim offer specialized treatment options such as prostatic artery embolization, Urolift, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy to ease your symptoms.
If you have urinary symptoms and need expert treatment, call us today to make an appointment. You can also book a consultation online using our convenient scheduling tool.
