Who is a urologist?
Urologists are doctors who detect and treat conditions affecting the urinary system. Thus, a urologist's role is essential in ensuring the body is excreting toxins and wastes. The urinary system comprises of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra. A urologist can also treat issues affecting the adrenal glands on top of the kidneys and the reproductive organs.
What kind of education and training do urologists receive?
A urologist typically obtains a bachelor's degree and then completes the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to gain admission to medical school. Medical school usually lasts four years, followed by an additional five to six years in a residency program specializing in urology. During this time, aspiring urologists learn about urological disorders and their treatments.
Many urologists also choose to get sub-specialization by opting for one to three years of fellowship. These subspecialties may include pediatric urology, kidney transplantation, minimally invasive surgery, male infertility, sexual medicine, etc. Lastly, to begin their practice, urologists clear the board examinations conducted by the American Board of Urology.
What does a urologist do?
The urologist can treat various conditions in both men and women. In the case of men, they are specialists in helping with prostate gland enlargement, erectile dysfunction, cancers of the kidneys, penis, testicles, or prostate gland, infertility, prostatitis, enlarged veins in the scrotum, etc.
Disorders they help treat in women include urinary tract infections, bladder dropping into the vagina, bladder cancers, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence, interstitial cystitis, etc. They also help children facing bed-wetting, blockages, and other issues in the urinary tract and undescended testicles.
To conclude and find the best treatment, urologists may begin by conducting tests to reach a diagnosis. Some of these tests may be:
- Imaging tests like MRI, ultrasound, or CT scans enable urologists to look inside the affected area.
- Cystograms involve taking X-ray images of the bladder.
- Cystoscopy uses a thin cystoscope — inserted into the urethra to look inside the bladder and other parts.
- Urine samples — urologists check for bacteria and other infection-causing germs.
- A post-void residual urine test — to gauge how quickly urine exits the body when urinating. Additionally, it displays how much urine is still in the patient's bladder after urinating.
- Urodynamic testing concentrates on your bladder's capacity to store and drain urine.
When to see a urologist near you?
Your primary care physician can help with diseases like urinary tract infections or other mild urinary problems. However, if the symptoms persist after taking medications for a while, they may refer you to a urologist. In addition, a referral also occurs when a condition appears too complex for them to treat and diagnose effectively.
It is an excellent practice to get an appointment with a urologist if you experience any of the following symptoms or conditions — change in urination such as increased frequency or continuing urge to urinate, pelvic pain, infertility, erectile dysfunction, decreased sexual drive, and urine leakage.
Some people may also experience trouble urinating — including pain, bloody or cloudy urine, and getting started with a strong flow. More signs to look for may include unwanted urination during exercising, laughing and sneezing while asleep, heaviness in the vaginal area, and dribbling or weak urine flow.
Urologists are experts at performing various surgical procedures, including biopsies of the bladder, kidneys, and prostate, as well as cystectomies for bladder removal and cancer treatment. They also administer extracorporeal shock-wave therapy to break up kidney stones, perform prostatectomies to address prostate cancer, conduct kidney transplants, and administer vasectomies.
If you face issues only in the kidneys, you should see a nephrologist. Nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine; thus, nephrologists cannot perform surgery. They focus on problems in any body parts that may be taking a toll on the kidneys or, conversely, because of kidney issues. However, urologists are surgeons with a more diverse practice; hence, they can help with any surgical procedure required for the kidneys. They may work together to treat any kidney problem in the patient.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is more common than you think; therefore, getting screened for the condition is imperative if you are a male over 40 or entering middle age. The prostate, a walnut-sized male reproductive gland producing fluid for semen, is situated behind the rectum and the bladder.
Prostate cancer is the second most prevalent after skin cancer in the United States, affecting about one in eight men. However, prostate cancer has around a 98% five-year survival rate.
Suppose the urologist diagnoses prostate cancer following a physical examination. In that case, a urologist will likely perform a digital rectal examination (DRE), a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA), a prostate biopsy, and order additional imaging tests.
The urologist will typically assign a Gleason score, which describes the likelihood of cancer spreading or metastasis. If surgery is necessary to remove cancerous tissue, the urologist might perform a procedure similar to a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
The PSA test is helpful in screening for prostate cancer, although abnormal results do not always indicate the presence of the disease. Abnormal PSA test results (BPH) could mean a mild illness called benign prostatic hyperplasia or an enlarged prostate.
How can prostate cancer be treated?
In some cases, prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause symptoms. So doctors choose the "waiting it out" approach in such cases. If prostate cancer surgery is necessary, several choices are available, and some doctors may even utilize robots to carry out the procedure.
Robotic prostatectomy is the most popular form of surgically removing the prostate to treat prostate cancer. The surgeon has fine control over the robotic arms holding the equipment. During the process, the urologist puts a tiny camera through small incisions. Other prostate cancer therapies include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and cryotherapy.
When men should start getting screened for prostate cancer varies depending on their circumstances. The American Cancer Society advises prostate cancer screening in men when they reach their 50s; in opposition to the recommendations of the United States Preventive Services Task Force, men can get checked between the ages of 55 and 69.
What should you know about chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs)?
Chronic UTIs are persistent or recurring urinary tract infections that don’t fully respond to treatment or reappear multiple times yearly. They can affect the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra and, if untreated, lead to complications.
- Symptoms: Chronic UTI symptoms include frequent urination, bloody or dark urine, burning during urination, and bladder or lower back pain. Severe cases involving the kidneys may cause fever, nausea, vomiting, chills, and fatigue.
- Causes: Most chronic UTIs result from bacterial infections, often Escherichia coli (E. coli), which can enter the urinary system through improper hygiene or sexual activity. Urethral infections may also arise from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), though these are rare.
- Risk factors: Women are more prone to chronic UTIs due to anatomical factors, such as a shorter urethra and proximity to the rectum. Lifestyle factors like using spermicides or diaphragms and hormonal imbalances during menopause also increase the risk.
- Diagnosis: Doctors diagnose chronic UTIs using urine tests, cultures, or imaging studies like X-rays. In some cases, the urologist performs a cystoscopy to identify underlying abnormalities.
- Treatment: Treatment often includes a week-long antibiotic course or low-dose, long-term antibiotics for prevention. The urologist may consider vaginal estrogen therapy for menopausal individuals. Natural remedies like cranberry juice or increased water intake can help prevent recurrence.
- Prevention: Reduce UTI risk, urinate regularly (especially after intercourse), drink plenty of water, wipe front-to-back, wear cotton underwear, and avoid irritants like bubble baths and caffeine.
Chronic UTIs can lead to complications like kidney damage or sepsis. Early diagnosis/treatment is important for better outcomes.
What should you expect during a visit to the urologist?
When you schedule an appointment with a urologist or receive a referral from your health provider, expect to discuss your reason for the visit. You must bring a list of questions or symptoms related to your appointment. Be ready to provide details about your medical history and any medications you are taking.
The urologist may ask you to take a urine test (urinalysis) during the consultation. You must arrive for your appointment with a full bladder. The result will provide insight into your urinary system's health.
You might have to complete a questionnaire describing your symptoms, including their severity and timing. Keeping a record of this information ready can be helpful. During your appointment, talk about your symptoms with the urologist and ask any questions you may have.
A urologist will conduct physical exams, which may include:
- Tests for men: Men experiencing prostate-related problems undergo a standard digital rectal exam, which allows the urologist to examine the prostate. Urologists may also ask for a urethral swab to rule out sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- Tests for women: The diagnostic process for women experiencing recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) typically involves a pelvic exam and urinalysis.
- Urinary incontinence test: People experiencing urinary incontinence symptoms may undergo a cough stress test to assess the extent of urine loss.
- Cancer test: Cancer concerns may prompt the need for blood work and relevant physical exams. Additionally, the urologist may perform a biopsy to check for cancer and other disorders.
After the examination, the urologist will discuss their findings and potential solutions. Depending on your symptoms and the test outcomes, they may prescribe treatment options such as surgery, medication, or physical therapy. Take notes during the discussion of the treatment plan and clarify all doubts.
Finding the best urologist in Boca Raton, FL
If you are experiencing the symptoms described above and looking for a urologist near you but are worried about finding a suitable one, Zocdoc is here to help. You can find a curated list of the best urologists nearby by entering the details — location, symptoms, condition, and doctor's specialty.
The list enables you to access individual doctor profiles, where you can review details such as licensure, educational background, experience, areas of expertise, and more. Additionally, Zocdoc provides verified ratings and reviews from past patients. For further customization, you can filter doctors by gender, language proficiency, pediatric care, and accepted insurance plans.
If you're looking for urologists who accept your insurance, our online patient support center is here to help. With Zocdoc, you can easily connect your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account. However, you can use only one insurance plan per appointment.
Those with multiple insurance plans can add details about their secondary insurance to the appointment notes. Additionally, if your provider utilizes Zocdoc's Intake forms, you can seamlessly input your secondary insurance information to simplify the process.
After deciding on the practitioner you want to seek treatment from, you can book an appointment — virtual or in person. Finding the best urologist near you in Boca Raton, FL, using Zocdoc is secure, easy, and free.
Urology statistics in Boca Raton, Florida
As per a report from the Florida Department of Health, in 2020, the age-adjusted prostate cancer death rate was around 15.9 Floridians for every 100,000 population. An estimated 2,453 men in the state died due to prostate cancer. In Palm Beach county, which includes Boca Raton, the death rate for prostate cancer was nearly 18.6 per 100,000 male population, with around 186 deaths in 2020.
According to the 2022 American Cancer Society data, there will likely be around 24,090 new cases of prostate cancer, about 7,520 of urinary bladder cancer, and nearly 4860 uterine corpus cancer (which occurs in the uterus) in Florida in 2024. The Center also predicted an increase in prostate cancer-related deaths to approximately 2,800. Similarly, the estimated death from the urinary bladder and uterine corpus cancer is about 1,520 and 1,000, respectively. Between 2014 and 2018, Florida had around 95.2 prostate cancer incidence rates per 100,000 people, while nearly 16.3 people died.
The 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment published by Jupiter Medical Center concluded that in 2022, in Palm Beach County, the annual average for new cases of prostate cancer was about 1,013. Additionally, around 64.5% of the adults in the county had access to adequate colorectal cancer screening.
Sources
Keck Medicine of USC
Cleveland Clinic
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
Florida Department of Health
American Cancer Society
National Association For Continence
Urology Specialists of the Carolinas
