Tag: urology hospital

13 May 2023
Urologists: Who Are They and What Can They Do for Me?

Urologists: Who Are They and What Can They Do for Me?

The medical speciality of urology focuses on male and female urinary tract diseases. The urinary system in both men and women is the focus of the urologist specialist. In the past, physicians would look for signs of a patient’s disease in their urine, which would help them detect Urinary Tract Infections. 

What kind of training does a urologist have? 

Urologist specialists complete a residency in a urology facility after graduating from medical school. The student is required to pass a specialist board exam after five years. Urologists can open their practices or serve in hospitals after completing their residency and board exams.

What is the Urinary Tract? 

The main organs of the urinary tract are the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Your body removes urine through a drainage system called the urinary tract. The most prevalent disease, urinary tract infection (UTI), is mostly brought on by bacteria that enter the urethra and infect the urinary tract. 

What do Urologists do? 

A urologist is qualified to identify and address urinary tract issues. Urologist specialists treat both sexes equally. A urologist only deals with urinary tract issues in female patients.

Female urologists and oncologists treat a range of disorders known as female urology, including overactive bladder, urine incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. Urinary incontinence is a major thing that brings patients to urologists. 

Yet, the urologist can also identify and treat conditions affecting the penis and testicles in men. They also handle sexual problems, including male infertility.

What organs are treated by a Urologist? 

  • Adrenal glands
  • Kidneys
  • Ureter
  • Bladder
  • Urethra.

The urology treatments require the diagnosis of these parts. 

Another area of care provided by a urologist is for the following areas of the male reproductive system:

  • Prostate: This gland behind the bladder gives sperms more fluid to create semen. The two oval organs inside the Scrotum, which resemble a sac, are the testicles. They produce the hormone testosterone and aid in the development of sperm.
  • Penis: The penis transports sperm and excretes urine. 

They also handle cases of urinary incontinence. 

Common symptoms

Indicators in men are:

  • the testicles hurt
  • frequent and painful urination
  • urethral blood
  • erection problems
  • prostate growth

Signs in women are:

  • the back or sides hurt
  • crimson urine
  • a burning feeling when urinating
  • Urge to urinate frequently

What kind of diseases do urologists treat?

In males:

    • Cancers in the kidney, bladder, penis, prostate, and testicular.
    • Erectile dysfunction
    • Kidney diseases
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Prostatitis or enlarged prostate glands

In females:

  • Urinary incontinence
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Bladder prolapse
  • Cancers of the bladder, kidney and adrenal gland

In children:

  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Disorders of sex development
  • Kidney stones
  • Tumours and malignancies of the kidney, bladder and testis
  • Pre-birth urological diseases

What treatment procedure does a urologist perform?

  • Cystoscopy: It detects the urological diseases associated with prostate and bladder. 
  • Ureteroscopy: A ureteroscope is guided to the kidney stone by the urethra, bladder, and ureter. Bigger stones need to be broken apart.
  • Testicular biopsy: Uncertain tissue samples are taken from the prostate during a prostate biopsy.
  • Nephrectomy: A kidney can be removed entirely or partially by a surgical procedure called a nephrectomy.
  • Vasectomy: The vas deferens are sealed by the physician during the procedure.

The urologist might perform a urodynamic testing to get things clear. 

When to see a urologist?

Suppose you experience symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or trouble passing pee, blood in the urine, incontinence (urinary leakage), or erectile dysfunction. In that case, your doctor may suggest you see a urologist for effective urology treatments. 

What to expect from a urologist?

Urologists can locate the issue with imaging tests like an ultrasound, CT scan, cystoscopy, or MRI scan. A urine test may also check for bacteria and other disease symptoms. They also emphasise the significance of abstaining from smoking and eating foods low in salt. These straightforward guidelines can help you avoid a variety of urological issues. The urology treatments also include any kidney, prostate, penis, urinary bladder, or testis tumours or cancer. Furthermore, most urologist specialists perform kidney transplants as well.