Does your baby have pain when urinating? (Dysuria) Let's talk about this!

Does your little one sometimes cry when he has to urinate ? Or does he say, "Mommy, it hurts"? Seeing a little one in pain while urinating is a very sad thing for any mother or father. So, today we will talk in a little more detail about this 'painful urination ', which is a condition that we medically call `(Dysuria)`. Let's clearly understand what this really is, why it happens, and what we should do.

Why does it hurt so much when my baby urinates ?

Simply put, there are several main reasons why a child may experience pain when urinating . Let's take a look at what they are.

• Urinary Tract Infections ( UTIs): This is often the main reason why young children experience pain when urinating . You must have heard the term `` UTI ''. This is when harmful germs , such as `` bacteria '', enter the urinary tract (the passageway through which urine comes out) and cause an infection, such as a sore throat. Think of it like an ``infection'' in your throat. Girls are more likely to get this condition because their urethra is shorter than boys, making it easier for germs to enter.

• Injuries or irritation in the genital area: Sometimes, a child's genital area can be irritated when urinating due to a small injury, cut, or scratch. For example, a child may fall while playing or hit something hard. Also, bathing with some harsh soaps, bubble baths, or wearing underwear washed with some detergents can irritate the delicate skin in that area, causing pain.

• Kidney Stones or Bladder Stones: This is not as common as other causes among young children, but sometimes small stones (calculi) form in the urinary system, that is, in the kidneys or bladder, and can cause severe pain when they try to pass out with urine . There are various reasons for the formation of these stones, which is something that needs to be discussed separately.

UrineBesides pain, what other symptoms can you see?

Now let's see what other discomforts and symptoms your child may experience along with this painful urination . Should we be concerned even if we have one or two of these? Because these symptoms are what help us understand whether the situation is a little more serious or something normal.

• Burning, stinging, or stinging sensation when urinating .
• Frequent urination . The child goes to urinate every few minutes, but only a little at a time. But the urge to urinate continues.
• Urine may have a foul odor and change in color. Urine , which is normally light yellow, may turn dark yellow, brown, or even pink or red with a little blood.
• Fever, chills, and shivering. If you have a UTI, you are more likely to have a fever.
• Loss of appetite, the child's usual mischievousness, lack of play, and decreased activity. The child may simply seem depressed.
• A child who is constantly angry, cries over small things, and acts agitated (irritability). This can happen when a child is feeling uncomfortable due to pain.
• Feeling nauseous, possibly vomiting.
• A pain in the lower abdomen, or a pain in the lower back. Young children may not be able to say exactly "it hurts here," but they may hold the area and cry, or they may bend over to that side.
• Even if a child is used to controlling their urine , they may still accidentally wet their clothes (wetting accidents). This is also an important symptom that is often seen.

What should we do immediately if the child experiences pain while urinating ?

Okay, now you understand that this is something to be concerned about. So, if you notice that your child is having pain while urinating , or if you notice any of the symptoms we talked about earlier, the first thing to do is to see a doctor without delay.

The doctor or nurse will examine the child and, if necessary, take a urine sample and order a test called a ``Urine Full Report - UFR''. This will help determine whether the cause is a ``UTI'' or something else. Sometimes, a ``Urine Culture'' may also be done, which will help determine the type of germ causing the infection and the exact ``antibiotic'' that should be given.

Then you need to follow the doctor's instructions exactly.

• Treat exactly:If the doctor prescribes medicine, especially antibiotics, it should be given exactly as the doctor says, in the dose and for the duration prescribed. Some mothers stop giving the medicine as soon as their child's fever subsides. Please don't do that, is it better? If you do, the infection may not be completely cured and may recur, or the bacteria may become resistant to the medicine. Therefore, give the full course.
• Give your child plenty of water to drink: This is very, very important. Give your child plenty of water to drink throughout the day. Drinking water helps to form urine and flush out germs from the urinary tract. It's like cleaning our pipes. However, coffee, tea, sweet drinks, and carbonated drinks that contain caffeine are not good at this time. They can irritate the bladder even more.
• Relieve pain: If the child is in a lot of pain, you can give a painkiller such as ``Paracetamol`` or ``Ibuprofen`` as directed by the doctor. This will provide some relief to the child, and it will be easier for the child to eat, drink, and sleep.

What can we do to prevent this situation from happening to our child again?

Well, after treatment and recovery, it's also very important to make sure that something like this doesn't happen again, isn't it? There's a saying that "Prevention is better than cure." So, let's see what we can do about it. These are very simple things, but very useful.

• Be careful with soap: When bathing your baby, avoid using bubble baths, strong soaps with a lot of soap suds, and body washes. These can irritate the delicate skin of your baby's genitals and lead to infections.
• How to clean: When cleaning your baby's genital area, use a mild, non-abrasive baby soap (pH balanced is best) and lukewarm water. Rinse well, pat dry with a clean, soft towel, and pat dry.
• Changing nappies: Wet and wet nappies of young babies should be changed as soon as possible. The longer they stay wet, the more germs can grow. The sooner they are changed , the better.
• Reminding children to urinate frequently: Older children, especially school-age children, need to be reminded frequently to urinate . Some children get caught up in playing or watching TV and hold their urine . That's not good. Urinating every two to three hours will empty the bladder and reduce the accumulation of germs.
• Especially for girls: When teaching girls to clean themselves after urinating or using the toilet, wipe from front to back.This is very, very important. This is because it prevents germs from entering the urethra (where the poop comes from) from entering the anus. Also, if you use toilet paper, make sure that there are no small pieces left.
• Consider underwear: Wear loose-fitting, breathable underwear for children, especially girls, made from materials like cotton. Tight-fitting underwear made from synthetic materials can trap moisture and promote the growth of germs. Underwear should be changed at least once a day.
• For sexually active teenagers: If you have a teenager in your home who is sexually active, they too can sometimes experience pain while urinating due to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Therefore, if you have any concerns about such a condition, it is important to talk openly about it and get medical tests done if necessary. It is also our responsibility as parents to educate them about this.

So, what are the last things we need to remember?

So, moms and dads, it's really upsetting when your child has pain when urinating . We know that very well. But don't worry.

The most important thing is to see a doctor immediately and seek advice, rather than ignoring these symptoms and staying home, thinking "it's okay."

If the cause is properly identified and treated properly, this condition can be cured quickly. After that, you can protect your child by following the simple hygiene habits mentioned before something like this happens again. Always taking care of your child's health and daily changes is the most important thing we can do as a mother and father. We wish all of you healthy children! Pain while urinating , Urinary tract infections, Dysuria, Children's health, UTI, Urinary tract infection, Sinhala medical article, Urinary tract infection in baby