- Is it painful to urinate (dysuria)?
- Has the pattern of urination changed, or has the frequency increased (pollakiuria)?
- Do you urinate more frequently at night than during the day (nycturia)?
- Have you experienced urinary incontinence?
- What does the urine look like? Is it red, tea-coloured or cloudy?
Red urine may be a result of blood in the urine, but acute muscle breakdown can also cause the urine to turn reddish-brown (but clear). Pigments excreted by the kidneys, such as those found in some medications or red beets, can turn the urine reddish-orange. - Cloudy urine can be caused by the presence of many cells (erythrocytes or leucocytes), which can be easily seen when light is passed through the sample.
- Bladder irritation, due to an infection in its immediate surroundings, for example, can lead to miction disorders.
For men:
- How strong is the stream of urine? Do you have to squeeze to urinate? Do you experience dripping after urinating? Is there discharge from the penis?
In the case of lower abdominal pain combined with current or prior urination problems, particularly in older men, acute bladder retention should also be considered.