[44M] Experiencing right-sided pain, urinary changes, and skin irritation

Patient Description

A 44-year-old male presents with a dull, constant pain around the waistline on the right side, which worsens upon bending and is tender to the touch. The pain previously radiated to the opposite side but has since ceased. The patient reports itchy, dry ankles, frequent urination, dark-colored urine, and difficulty achieving orgasm, along with some nausea. There is no recent history of injury, no known pre-existing conditions, and no current medications. The patient has a sulfur allergy. There is no fever, blood in the urine, or other systemic symptoms reported.

Arora's Assessment

What might be happening

Based on your symptoms, the following conditions might be possible:

Kidney Stones: These are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys. Symptoms can include severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs, pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin, pain on urination, frequent urination, and dark urine. The pain can come in waves and fluctuate in intensity.
- Treatment can range from pain relief and drinking lots of water to pass the stone, to medical procedures to remove or break up larger stones.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): This is an infection in any part of your urinary system, which includes your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Symptoms can include a strong, persistent urge to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, passing frequent, small amounts of urine, and urine that appears cloudy or strong-smelling.
- Treatment typically involves antibiotics to kill the bacteria causing the infection.
Prostatitis: This is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, a walnut-sized gland situated directly below the bladder in men. Symptoms can include difficulty urinating, painful urination, and pelvic pain.
- Treatment can involve antibiotics if the cause is bacterial, alpha blockers to help symptoms, or anti-inflammatory agents.

Please note that these are only potential conditions based on your symptoms. A healthcare professional can provide a more accurate diagnosis.

What you can do

Drink plenty of water: This can help dilute your urine and may help flush out a kidney stone.
Avoid coffee, alcohol, and soft drinks containing citrus juices and caffeine until your infection has cleared. These can irritate your bladder and tend to aggravate your frequent or urgent need to urinate.
Use a heating pad: Apply a heating pad to your abdomen to minimize feelings of bladder pressure or pain.