What is “Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms”?
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) refers to a group of urinary tract symptoms that affect both men and women. They used to be called prostatitis or prostatism.
Common signs of LUTS include these.
Frequent urination.- Urgent urination.
- Painful urination.
- Frequent urination at night.
- Weak stream.
- Irregular or hesitating stream.
- Terminal dribbling.
- Incomplete voiding of bladder.
- Overflow incontinence (with chronic retention).
Risk Factors for LUTS
Factors increasing the risk of developing LUTS include these.
- Age (for men but not women).
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Childhood bed-wetting.
- Chronic anxiety.
- Depression
- Diabetes (men only).
- Heart disease.
- Irritable bowel syndrome.
- Nerve problems.
- Recurrent urinary tract infection.
- Sleep disorders.
Study of LUTS
Researchers made a longitudinal study of 9,712 healthy men 30 or older. They did so to study the possible link of alcohol drinking with LUTS,
Light to moderate alcohol consumption was drinking up to slightly more than two drinks per day. It was linked with decreased risk of moderate to severe LUTS.
But drinking at higher levels was linked with increased risk of the same level of LUTS. As heavier heavier drinking increased, so did the of the problem.
The researchers found the risk of LUTS to be reduced over time by light to moderate drinking.
Resources
These resources may be helpful to learn more about LUTS.
Web
Source
- Suh, B. et al. Alcohol is long-term associated with LUTS. Alco Clin Exper Res., 38(11), 2878-83.
Popular Books
- Bachmann, A. and de la Rosette, J. BPH and Lower Tract Symptoms. Oxford U Press.
- Kaplan, S. and McVary, K. Male Lower Tract Symptoms and BPH. Wiley. .
Research Papers
- Penson D., et al. Obesity, physical activity and LUTS. J Urol. 186(6), 2316-2322.
- Prezioso D., et al. Life-style in patients with LUTS Suggestive of BPH. Euro Urol, 40(sup 1), 9-12.