Who is a Urologist?
A urologist is a medical professional who specializes in urinary tract diseases as well as the male reproductive system. When a physician suspects their patient require treatment for a condition associated to the following body parts, he/she may be referred to a urologist:
- Bladder
- Urethra
- Ureters
- Kidneys
- Adrenal glands
What do Urologists Treat?
Urologists specialize in treating disorders associated with the following:
- Epididymis
- Penis
- Prostate
- Seminal vesicles
- Testes
When to See a Urologist?
Patients are suggested to visit a urology center for the treatment of a wide range of conditions including the following:
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) – The infections usually arise due to migration of bacteria from the digestive tract to the urethra. Some of the symptoms include incontinence, abnormal urination, chills, pain, nausea, vomiting, and fevers. This condition is usually common among women.
Pediatric Urology – Patient may be referred to a urologist for treating a variety of urological condition among children especially those too complex to be handled by general pediatricians.
Incontinence – Involuntary loss of bladder control may result due to a malfunction in the urinary system. In women, the pelvic floor muscles may get weak during pregnancy leading to this condition.
Urethral Stricture – The condition is characterized by urethra scarring resulting in blockage of narrowing of urine path flowing from the bladder. Some of the most common causes for the condition include injury, infection, or inflammation. Symptoms for the condition includes pain while urinating and reduced output. It may even result in serious complications such as urinary tract infections and prostatitis.
Male Infertility – The condition may result from damage to the male reproductive tract. Other reason includes sperm related disorder. A common cause of male infertility is varicoceles. The condition is characterized by enlarged vein in the sac under penis. Treatment for the condition is surgery in most cases.
Cryptorchidism or Undescended Testes – Usually, the testicles form within a fetus’ abdomen and run down to the scrotum prior to birth. In case, one or both of the testicles fail to descend, sperm production may be impaired. The condition also leads to several complications.
Kidney Disease – Patient may suffer from swelling in ankles, hands and high blood pressure. Failure of proper kidney functioning may be fatal.
Enlarged Prostate – Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition that usually affects men over the age of 50 years. Urethra gets constricted due to overgrowth of cells within the prostate gland resulting in issue with urination.
Renal Transplantation – Patients may require kidney transplants after kidney failure.
Urologic Oncology – Cancer treatment associated with urological or male reproductive system is categorized into the group (primarily prostate cancer and bladder cancer).
Bladder Prolapse – This is a condition where muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor cannot support organs within the pelvis. Here, the organs may drop from their original position.
Erectile Dysfunction – The condition is characterized by inability of penis to attain adequate rigidity to participate in sexual intercourse. It is usually a symptom of an underlying condition.
Cancers – A patient may be recommended to meet a urologist for cancers of prostate gland, the bladder, kidneys, and testicles. One may also visit a urology center for treating cancer that affects the urinary system (reproductive system in men).
Peyronie’s Disease – The underside of penis skin may develop a fibrous layer of scar tissue resulting in bending or curving in the penis on erection. The condition results in pain and difficulties in sexual intercourse.
Prostatitis – Painful ejaculation or urination is caused due to an infection or inflammation of the prostate. The condition can be chronic or acute.
Interstitial Cystitis – Also referred to as painful bladder syndrome, the condition is characterized by a chronic inflammation in bladder leading to discomfort (mild to severe).
Kidney and Ureteral Stones – The condition involves formation of small, hard deposits from mineral and acid salts in the kidneys which are unable to pass through into the ureters. It may affect urination leading to other symptoms such as vomiting, pain, and nausea.
