[Click! Health] Common Urological Symptoms in Middle-Aged and Older Adults... Could Be a Sign of Serious Disease

One of the common diseases among middle-aged and elderly people is urinary symptoms such as hematuria, voiding disorders, benign prostatic hyperplasia, urinary stones, pyelonephritis, and cystitis. Experts point out that urinary symptoms may be a sign of serious diseases, so it is necessary to respond quickly.

[Photo by Himchan Hospital]

Hematuria, which is the presence of blood mixed in the urine, is the most common urological disease occurring in people in their 50s and 60s. In 2021, among 330,114 hematuria patients, those in their 50s and 60s accounted for the highest proportion at 38%. Additionally, among the total 157,117 patients who visited hospitals for pyelonephritis in the same year, 35% were in their 50s and 60s.

Lee Jang-hee, head of the Department of Urology at Incheon Himchan General Hospital, said, “In middle age, abnormal symptoms related to aging of the urinary and reproductive systems occur, but many people hesitate to visit the hospital for treatment.” He added, “If there are abnormal symptoms, it is necessary to receive appropriate treatment and management early on.”

Hematuria is a symptom where red blood cells above the normal range are mixed in the urine. When there are many red blood cells, the urine color appears bright red, pink, or cola-colored. The causes of hematuria are diverse. If hematuria is observed at a relatively young age, it may be caused by urinary tract infection, glomerular disease, or ureteral stones. For middle-aged people over 50, hematuria often occurs due to diseases affecting the kidney, ureter, bladder, or prostate.It can also appear after taking certain medications or foods or excessive exercise. If it is a mild condition caused by infection, it can be treated with antibiotic prescriptions and lifestyle corrections. However, if the cause is complex and severe diseases, precise examinations are needed to treat the underlying disease.

Although the number of hematuria patients is higher in women than men, if men over 50 continuously experience hematuria, bladder cancer should be suspected. Hematuria is a representative symptom of urological cancers including bladder cancer, so middle-aged and elderly men should undergo immediate examination if symptoms appear.

Dr. Lee Jang-hee advised, “Hematuria is a basic symptom used to identify cancers of the urinary system such as bladder cancer, ureteral cancer, prostate cancer, and kidney cancer, and it can be easily detected by oneself. Therefore, it is best to undergo thorough examinations immediately upon discovery.” He added, “If it appears once or twice and then stops, it is easy to forget and neglect it, but for middle-aged and elderly people, it is advisable to consult a specialist if hematuria occurs.”

Another major urological disease, pyelonephritis, is a urinary tract infection caused by bacterial infection of the kidney. The reason pyelonephritis is more common in women is anatomical: women have a shorter urethra compared to men, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder, which facilitates lower urinary tract infections caused by bacteria. Ko Seo-yeon, head of the Nephrology Department at Incheon Himchan General Hospital, said, “Repeated acute pyelonephritis caused by bacteria invading the kidney through the urethra can gradually reduce kidney function, so caution is necessary.”

Symptoms of acute pyelonephritis start like a cold but are accompanied by chills and fever, and kidney swelling causes flank pain. Pyelonephritis is diagnosed through urine and blood tests, as well as urine culture tests. There may be pain during urination, a feeling of incomplete emptying, or residual urine sensation.

After diagnosis, drug treatment is carried out, and it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids and rest. Simple pyelonephritis improves within a few days after antibiotic treatment. However, complicated pyelonephritis with urinary obstruction or pus can lead to complications such as kidney abscess and sepsis, requiring early hospitalization. If acute pyelonephritis is not detected or treated in time, it may worsen into chronic pyelonephritis with repeated recurrences.

To prevent pyelonephritis, one should not hold urine for a long time and should drink more than eight glasses of water a day to wash bacteria out of the bladder. It is advisable to shower after sweating a lot during outdoor activities. Avoid tight underwear as much as possible and wear cotton underwear, paying attention to cleanliness in daily life.