Who are urologists?
Urologists are healthcare experts who specialize in diagnosing and treating male and female urinary tract illnesses. They also deal with medical concerns related to the male reproductive tract. They may perform surgeries in certain cases. For instance, they clear out the obstructions in the urinary tract or remove malignancy through surgery.
Hospitals, private clinics, and urology centers are just a few places where urologists work.
How are urologists different from nephrologists?
Make an appointment to see a nephrologist if you wish to see a doctor who only treats kidney problems. Nephrology is a sub-specialty of internal medicine rather than urology. Nephrology focuses on the diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the kidneys. Nephrologists have a non-surgical approach to treatment. Additionally, nephrologists can treat conditions like high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and pregnancy-related renal conditions that develop elsewhere in the body due to kidney disorders.
On the other hand, urologists specialize in the conditions of the urinary tract (of both men and women) and the male reproductive system. They perform surgeries and treat issues like cysts, tumors, abnormal growth or stones in the urinary system, difficulty holding urine, and infertility in men.
What kind of education and training does a urologist have?
Urologists need to complete four years of medical school after an undergraduate degree. Additionally, a urologist must complete five or six years of a residency program after graduating from medical school. Residency programs include one or two years of surgical training where they work with experienced urologists. Following that, urology clinical training could last for three or four years (In clinical training, residents follow a patient throughout their treatment until their last visit to the urologist). Both surgical and clinical training are mandatory for one to become a urologist.
Then, some urologists may want to do a fellowship, which is an additional year or two of study. This fellowship allows them to specialize further in specific branches of urology, such as urological oncology, pediatric urology, and female urology. All of this may take a person approximately 13 years to become a board-certified urologist.
Even urologists who are board-certified and have their licenses must continue to learn and develop their expertise. Therefore, urologists must enroll in education courses annually to maintain their licensure and stay current on the most recent information.
What medical procedures can a urologist perform?
Urologists can prescribe medications and provide behavior training, such as exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles to help with bladder control issues (incontinence).
In addition, urologists can perform various diagnostic and treatment procedures in their offices. Some cases may require complex surgical procedures in appropriate hospital settings.
Here are a few examples of some standard urology procedures:
- Cystoscopy- It is an up-close examination of the urethra and bladder using a unique telescope-like instrument known as a cystoscope.
- Ureteroscopy- It is an examination of your ureters and kidneys, similar to a cystoscopy.
- Testicular biopsy- The urologist takes a tiny tissue sample from the prostate to examine in a lab for signs of cancer.
- Nephrectomy- This procedure involves kidney removal to treat cancer.
- Vasectomy- To avoid pregnancy, the urologist removes the tubes that carry the sperm.
- Prostatectomy- A procedure to treat prostate cancer where a urologist removes all or some parts of the prostate gland.
- Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy- It involves dissolving kidney stones to facilitate removal.
Some other minor surgical procedures include the following:
- Damage repair due to injury.
- Procedure to open a blockage.
- Transurethral resection and needle ablation of the prostate—involve the removal of extra tissue from an enlarged prostate.
- Kidney transplant, in which the urologist replaces a damaged kidney with a healthy one.
- Repair of urinary organs that are not well-formed.
What are the reasons to see a urologist?
Having a urologist near you ensures regular checkups and can help you and your family avoid problems like bladder issues, kidney stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney blockages, and bladder and kidney cancer. In addition, men may consult them for problems such as testicular cancer, erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate cancer, or an enlarged prostate gland.
Women may visit a urologist when having issues retaining pee after pregnancy or for pelvic organ prolapse (when an organ—such as the uterus or bladder—starts to drop or press out or into the vagina). In addition, if your child has an atypical urinary tract issue, such as bedwetting, you may need to consult a urologist.
What is erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction, or ED, occurs when one cannot maintain or achieve an erection. It could be challenging to discuss such issues with a medical expert. But remember that a healthy sexual life is an integral element of a healthy life.
In addition, the failure to erect occasionally but not always and the inability to erect but not for long enough to engage in sexual activity are signs of ED.
What is the treatment for erectile dysfunction?
Collaborating with a urologist near you is best suggested to treat the underlying cause of erectile dysfunction. Choosing an ED treatment process is an individual choice. Adopting healthy lifestyle practices, such as being physically active, quitting smoking, and adhering to a balanced eating plan, can help prevent many of the causes of ED.
When should one visit a urologist?
Your usual doctor might be able to manage minor urinary tract issues in some circumstances. However, you must contact a urologist near you if the symptoms are severe or persist. A few indicators are when you observe blood in your urine, bladder control issues, or pain in your lower back, stomach, or groin when urinating (which can mean kidney stones).
An important note: Verify with your health insurance provider first. Many insurance companies require a primary care physician's reference before you can see a urologist.
What do I anticipate during my appointment with a urologist?
With the variety of treatments available in urology, patients can consult with their urologists to discuss the best option available. For some, surgery may seem to be the best option. Others may respond better to medications or behavioral therapy (such as bladder re-training in case of bladder control issues). Combining two or three treatments may help some patients improve the most. The abundance of options and an open discussion with your urologist allow them to personalize your care and treatments.
How do you maintain good urological health?
Maintaining good urological health requires you to have a healthy diet. Drinking water and watching your food intake can improve your urological health. The correct diet will enable you to maintain a healthy weight and lessen your chances of developing urological cancer. While a urologist near you will be able to guide you better on how you can look after your health, here are a handful of tips you can refer to as well:
1) Consume a rainbow diet. You should include various colors and types of fruits and vegetables in your meals, such as blueberries, yellow peppers, strawberries, collard greens, carrots, asparagus, cauliflower, and eggplant.
2) Try to read and understand food labels to help you be mindful while consuming sodium, sugar, and extra calories. Remember the serving size and how many of them are in a package.
3) Add healthy food items, such as nuts, whole grains, seeds, etc, to your pantry.
4) Drink plenty of water to lower your risk of developing kidney stones. Aim for around ten 10-ounce glasses a day. You can also drink flavored water by adding cucumber, mint, basil, orange peels, and grapes to your water. You can also consult a urologist near you to understand how much water you need to consume daily.
5) Avoid consuming food that contains added sugars and refined carbohydrates, such as candies and cookies.
6) Bananas, eggs, nuts, whole grains, and green beans are some of the foods that are good for your bladder.
7) Eat frozen vegetables and fruits as their nutritional content is similar to fresh foods. Frozen foods may also contain a higher nutritional content than fresh foods as they are picked when they are extremely ripe and frozen within hours.
8) Buy organic food as much as possible and avoid the 'dirty dozen,' which are fruits and vegetables with a high pesticide content.
9)Shop for vegetables and fruits from your local farmers' market. Look for organic, grass-fed, free-range, wild, or pasture-raised foods.
10) Avoid spicy food, coffee, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and alcohol if you face bladder issues. If you have a sensitive bladder, visit a urologist to treat it as soon as possible.
Eight tips for choosing the right urologist
Finding a urologist near you who best suits your needs is important for managing your urinary health. Here are eight tips to consider:
Begin the search by asking your primary care doctor for a list of recommended urologists. You can also take recommendations from family, friends, or other healthcare providers. Once you narrow your options, schedule an appointment with a urologist who seems to be most qualified and credible.
Authentic board certification is key to confirming that the urologist has the necessary skills and training. Additionally, make sure the urologist has no record of malpractice claims or disciplinary actions. This information, as well as the urologist's medical education, training hospitals, and certifications, can be found on reliable websites.
Experience is a crucial factor when it comes to choosing a urologist near you. The more experience they have with a particular condition or procedure, the more likely they are to have better results. Ask about the urologist's experience and complication rates. Urologists with significant experience are generally better at managing potential complications.
Feeling comfortable with your urologist’s gender is important, as you'll need to openly discuss your personal information with them. Many urologists have specialized training in gender-specific conditions, such as enlarged prostate in men or stress incontinence in women. Ask if they have experience treating your condition, especially regarding your gender.
- Research hospital quality
Top-rated hospitals often have lower complication rates and higher success rates. Consider whether the hospital's location is convenient for you, as you'll likely need to visit for tests or treatment.
- Evaluate communication style
Choose a urologist who is attentive, answers your questions clearly, and respects your treatment preferences. When you first meet them, ask questions to gauge how they respond and if they take the time to understand your concerns. A urologist who communicates well can support you better in your treatment journey.
Reading patient reviews helps offer insight into the doctor's practice and office environment. Reviews often include appointment scheduling, wait times, office friendliness, and how well the urologist addresses patient concerns.
Insurance coverage is a subject of practical significance. Choose a urologist who participates in your insurance plan to minimize out-of-pocket costs and receive the most insurance benefits.
Finding the best urologist near you
Searching for the best urologist in your vicinity in a large pool of options and comparing them can become tedious and tiring. Thanks to Zocdoc's carefully curated database and unique search features, you can now find the best urologist in your area with just a few clicks!
If you reside in Baltimore, Maryland, and want to search for the best urologist near you or need to book an appointment with one, use the Zocdoc website. After inputting your condition, where you live, your insurance company, and your plan, the website will instantly provide you with a list of the best urologists near you. You can choose which urologist to visit by consulting the websites of all healthcare providers to learn more about their education, training, certifications, awards, and verifiable patient testimonies. By selecting your plan from the website's drop-down menu, you can use Zocdoc to see whether your chosen provider is in-network with your insurer.
If your insurance plan isn't shown on Zocdoc, you can upload a photo of your medical insurance card. Zocdoc will scan the image to determine and display your probable plan. This service is available only for medical insurance cards, not vision or dental. If you face difficulties uploading the card's image, you can contact Zocdoc's support team for help. For further information, visit the Zocdoc patient help center page.
Depending on the urologist's availability, you can book online appointments and in-person consultations with Zocdoc on the same day, up to 24 hours in advance, or even after 5 p.m.
Booking appointments on Zocdoc is simple, secure, and free!
Statistics for diabetes and erectile dysfunction in Maryland and USA
According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 565,000 people in Maryland have been diagnosed with diabetes; yearly, the state observes around 36,000 new cases. Low or high insulin levels can lead to uncontrolled blood sugar levels, affecting the kidneys, eyes, and heart. People with diabetes have underactive or overactive muscles due to increased blood sugar levels. They are often at risk of developing an overactive bladder problem.
As per a study conducted by Cleveland Clinic in 2018, the rate of erectile dysfunction is directly proportional to the age of men. Around 40% of men suffer from ED at the age of 40, while 70% of men at the age of 70 face the same problem.
The prevalence of erectile dysfunction is about 5.1% in males aged 20 to 39. However, it was approximately 70.2% in men 70 and older, showing that age significantly influences the issue. About 65% of men reported that they were "always or almost always able" to achieve and sustain an erection, about 16.5% said they were "usually able," about 12.3% said they were "sometimes," and about 6.2% claimed they were "never" able to do so.
Sources
Healthline
Urology Care Foundation[1]
WebMD
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
University of Maryland Medical Center
The American Journal of Medicine
American Diabetes Association
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
Urology Care Foundation[2]
