Marcus T. has gradually noted a gradual decrease in his urine flow rate and is n
ID: 101240 • Letter: M
Question
Marcus T. has gradually noted a gradual decrease in his urine flow rate and is now experiencing difficulty in initiating micturition. He needs to urinate frequently, and often feels as if his bladder is not empty even though he has just urinated. Analysis of Marcus's urine reveals no abnormalities. Are his urinary tract symptoms most likely caused by kidney disease, a bladder infection, or prostate enlargement?Marcus T. has gradually noted a gradual decrease in his urine flow rate and is now experiencing difficulty in initiating micturition. He needs to urinate frequently, and often feels as if his bladder is not empty even though he has just urinated. Analysis of Marcus's urine reveals no abnormalities. Are his urinary tract symptoms most likely caused by kidney disease, a bladder infection, or prostate enlargement?
Explanation / Answer
The patient is experiencing a gradual decrease in urine flow rate. He also has difficulty in initiating micturition, frequent urination, and feeling of not completely emptying the bladder. All these symoroma are characteristic of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
Analysis of urine reveals no abnormalities. So, the presence of kidney disease is ruled out. Further, there is no irritation during micturition, blood in the urine (hematuria) and fever. This rules out the bladder infection.