Symptoms usually do not go by themselves, and by consciously concealing them you reduce the possibility to be assisted in a timely manner.
Along with the possible causes of pain in the lower part of the stomach that are common to men and women (spine, appendix inflammation, intussusception, diverticulum or tumors of the small and large intestine, acute and chronic inflammatory bowel disease, aortic aneurysm – a pathological enlargement of the lumen and wall thickening, kidney tumors, cysts on the kidneys, stones in the kidney or ureter), this article we will tell more about pain in the lower part of the stomach which are relatively common only in men. In diagnostic terms, there is a difference in younger men and those older than 50 years.
Urinary System / Colon
Pain that men describe on the right side of the lower part of the abdomen during doctor’s appointment create confusion whether they’re caused by one of the above mentioned diseases – diseases of the urethra (inflammation, sand, stones), reflecting pain of the right kidney, appendix inflammation. In addition, the right side of the lower part of the abdomen, but also in the entire lower part of the abdomen, cancerous changes are sometimes visible ultrasonically in colon in large intestine. They can be seen with the help of color Doppler if you are larger and when they substantially close the inside of the intestinal lumen.
Prostate
Men come to the doctor because of pain above the pubic bone in the middle lower part of the abdomen. Sometimes it spreads to a wider area in the final part of the colon, and there is also a feeling of coldness in legs, especially the feet. After the ultrasound examination of the lower part of the abdomen and palpation of the prostate by a finger over the final part of the colon it can be concluded whether it is an inflammation of the prostate. When inflammation of the prostate ultrasound usually displays standard or slightly enlarged size of the prostate. In the case of chronic inflammation, in both sides of the prostate lobes white areas or clogs (prostatolithes) can often be observed. After the ultrasound examination microbiological analysis of urine, semen (sperm) and swab of the urinary tube for certain bacteria (enterococci, mycoplasma, ureaplasma and Chlamydia – the most common cause of inflammation of the prostate) should be performed. Chronic inflammation of the prostate is difficult to cure and takes a long time, with the obligatory simultaneous treatment of the sexual partner. Inflammatory changes in the prostate are most common in younger men.
In addition to prostate inflammation, pain above the pubic bone with frequent urination with a thin stream, especially at night, which is sometimes accompanied by pain, causes enlargement of the prostate, usually in men older than 50 years. At that age men are often have a frequent urge to urinate, but when they start to urinate, they must wait until the urine moves from the bladder. Some mention intermittent urination, waking up at night and therefore are usually sleepy, tired and exhausted in the morning. Some of them, unfortunately, suffer symptoms for several years until the situation further deteriorates by other symptoms such as blood in the urine. Prostate enlargement can be benign or malignant. After the examination a possible cause is determined, and if it is enlarged, the blood is checked for PSA (prostate specific antigen) protein whose value, when greater than four, may indicate inflammatory changes or initial malignant changes in the prostate.
In every case, men of about 50 years, if they have not done it before, should go at least for examination of the genitourinary system, the results of which will lead both the doctor and the patient to the possible further diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.
Once the doctor finds an enlarged prostate, he’ll most often perform the so-called residual urine test within the bladder. After the ultrasound examination, the patient is asked to urinate, and advised to try to empty the bladder completely, after which it is determined how much urine remains in the bladder, thus estimating how much does the enlarged prostate interfere with urination. Residue in the urinary bladder leads to precipitation of small organic or inorganic particles, and ultrasound often shows one or several stones in the bladder that cause pain above the pubic bone, that is, in the middle lower part of the abdomen.
Sometimes men younger than 50 years old have frequent urination, thin stream during urination and awaking at night because of it. Ultrasound examination can determine prostate enlargement, usually caused by inflammation, in them as well. From anamnesis we learn that these men usually work in cold places, in open or unheated spaces (construction sites in winter conditions, industrial plants cooled because of food, etc.). For them, thorough microbiological treatment is in order, and if the first test does not prove certain microorganisms, highly specific tests must be performed, e.g. HPV (human papilloma virus) or chlamydia.
Testicles
In younger men one-sided or double-sided pain in the testicles may occur. According to the type of pain, it can be short, frequent, pricking and flashing, often reflexive as a result of sand or stones (usually in the ureter), or as a consequence of appendicitis or inguinal hernia (hernia). Considerably more dangerous is the pain in one testicle that is dull, almost daily and constant, and is usually associated with enlarged testicles. In this case, ultrasound examination can easily determine whether it is caused by hydrocele, varicocele of the testicles or testicular tumor, which is at the age of 15 up to 35 usually malignant and should be diagnosed as early as possible.
Hydrocele and varicocele are not a life threatening diseases of testicles, but in the younger age groups they should be diagnosed as early as possible and sometimes be surgically treated because they can interfere with male fertility. Severe pain in the testicles should especially be noted, which is a sudden appears after physical exertion or sports, usually one-sided. In this case, it may be testicular torsion (testicles twisting around its own axis). The problem can be solved by a urologist with manual (manual) twisting of testicles in an opposite direction if a patient comes immediately. If the condition reappears after a few hours, a surgery should be performed.
Inguinal hernia
It is another problem common in men, regardless of age. There may be two-sided, one-sided or develop after surgery in the lower part of the abdomen. It is easily diagnosed by palpation while standing patients are strained. It is treated surgically.
Blood in the urine
In addition to pain, blood in the urine is a symptom that occurs in men and in any case requires treatment. The causes may be different – an inflammatory disease of the urinary system, stones in the urinary system, complications of prostate cancer, bladder polyps (tumors that may be benign or malignant).
Once again I want to draw men’s attention to, if you notice any of these symptoms, contact a doctor as soon as possible to perform a diagnostic procedure and begin treatment. Symptoms usually do not go by themselves, and their conscious concealment you reduce the chance that you receive timely help.