What is urology? Who are urologists?
Urology is a medical and surgical specialty within modern medicine that deals with diseases affecting male and female reproductive organs and the urinary tracts. Urologists are doctors who diagnose, treat, and research illnesses affecting organs falling under the scope of urology. They demonstrate skill, knowledge, and understanding of the basic medical sciences related to the genitourinary tract and the adrenal glands. They also hold knowledge of internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, and other parts of health care.
What organs does urology cover?
Urology covers organs that form the reproductive system in men and the female and male urinary tract system– Namely, the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, adrenal glands, penis, prostate, and testicles.
Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra constitute the urinary system in humans.
- Kidneys are organs that separate blood from waste to produce urine.
- Ureters are the tubes through which urine is transported from the kidneys to the bladder.
- The urinary bladder is the hollow sac that contains urine.
- The urethra is the circular tube that passes urine down from the bladder out of the body.
- The adrenal glands are glands placed on top of each kidney that secrete hormones.
- The penis, prostate, and testicles are parts of the male reproductive system.
- The penis is the organ that secretes urine and carries sperm out of the body.
- The prostate is the gland underneath the bladder that adds fluid to sperm to produce semen.
- Testicles are two oval organs located inside the scrotum. They make the hormone testosterone and produce sperm.
Subspecialties of urology
Urology has an extensive scope. According to the American Urological Association, female urology, Male infertility, Neurourology, Pediatric urology, Urologic oncology, Renal (kidney) Transplant, and Calculi (urinary tract stones) are the seven subspecialty parts of urology.
- Disorders affecting the female reproductive system and urinary tract are the main focus of female urology.
- Male infertility focuses on problems that prevent men from conceiving babies.
- Neurourology focuses on urinary issues due to conditions affecting the nervous system.
- Pediatric urology focuses on urinary problems in children.
- Urologic oncology focuses on cancers affecting the urinary system, including the bladder, kidneys, prostate, and testicles.
- Renal (kidney) transplant focuses on surgically replacing a diseased kidney with a healthy kidney with the help of a donor. It is usually the treatment of choice for kidney failure.
- Calculi (urinary tract stones) focuses on surgically removing kidney stones. Kidney stones are hard mineral or acid salt deposits that stick together in concentrated urine.
Difference between a nephrologist and a urologist near you
You should see a nephrologist if you need a doctor focused solely on kidney health. Nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine rather than urology, which means nephrologists are not surgeons. They specialize in managing kidney-related diseases and often handle conditions that cause kidney issues or arise because of them, such as high blood pressure.
On the other hand, urologists treat a broader range of conditions that affect the urinary male reproductive system. They perform procedures and surgeries, managing not only kidney-related problems but also other issues in the urinary and reproductive organs.
When should you see a urologist near you?
Identifying signs of some complex urology diseases in the early stages is hard. Still, it is a dangerous gamble to ignore newly-emerged patterns or pain in or near your lower abdomen. We recommend seeing a urologist if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms based on your gender:
Urine-related symptoms:
- Feeling trouble while urinating (difficulty starting to urinate and difficulty holding back urine)
- Painful urination
- Burning sensation during urination
- Changes in urination habits (Urinating more frequently and having a strong urge to urinate)
- Blood in the urine (Hematuria)
Groin-related symptoms:
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in the semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Swelling near the tip of the penis
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin
- A lump in the testicle
- An enlarged testicle
Although your primary healthcare provider can help you provide a primary diagnosis of urology-related diseases and conditions, they may eventually refer you to a urologist for a thorough diagnosis and treatment. We recommend seeing a urologist if your primary healthcare provider has diagnosed you with any of the following illnesses:
- Kidney stones
- Cancers of the bladder, kidneys, penis, testicles, and adrenal and prostate glands in men
- Cancers of the bladder, kidneys, and adrenal glands in women
- Prostate gland enlargement in men
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Infertility in men
- Interstitial cystitis, also called painful bladder syndrome, in men and women.
- Kidney diseases
- Dropping of the bladder into the vagina
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) in men and women
- Bed-wetting in children
- Undescended testicles in children
What procedures does a urologist perform?
Urologists generally prescribe medications and perform surgery when required. They also offer treatment options like "behavior training" to manage conditions affecting the pelvic muscles and strengthen them. Urologists perform diagnostic as well as surgical procedures. Some of these procedures include the following:
- Cystoscopy: This examines the lining of a person's bladder and the urethra, i.e., the tube that carries urine to be expelled from the body. Your urologist may recommend or perform this procedure for investigative reasons. A cystoscopy helps understand the cause of symptoms like incontinence, blood in the urine, and painful bladder. It also helps in diagnosing bladder inflammation (cystitis) and bladder stones. A medical practitioner performs a cystoscopy by inserting a cystoscope—a hollow tube with a lens—into the urethra. Your doctor may also place a small camera over the lens to project the bladder images onto a video monitor.
- Prostate biopsy: The prostate is a tiny walnut-shaped male gland located near the rectum and right below the bladder. It is responsible for producing fluid that transports and nourishes sperm. A prostate biopsy is a procedure involving removing samples of tissue from the prostate. Urologists generally recommend prostate biopsies when initial exams like a prostate-specific antigen PSA test or a digital rectal exam suggest the possible presence of prostate cancer.
- Nephrectomy: It is a procedure performed under general anesthesia to remove the kidney either partially (partial nephrectomy) or completely (radical nephrectomy). During the entire kidney removal procedure, a urologic surgeon may also remove some additional structures, such as the ureter or the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder and other adjacent structures like lymph nodes or the adrenal gland. This procedure usually helps remove a benign, cancerous tumor or when the kidney is severely damaged.
- Ablation therapy: It is a relatively new type of treatment for prostate cancer. It uses the technique of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), radiofrequency, or cryotherapy (freezing temperatures) to destroy or ablate the entire prostate or just a part of it. Ablation therapy is beneficial as it helps to destroy cancerous tissue without harming surrounding healthy structures.
What can you expect during a visit to a urologist near you?
Whether you schedule the appointment or are referred by a primary care provider, be ready to discuss the reasons for your visit. Carrying a list of questions or symptoms, along with details of your medical history and any medications you're currently taking, can be helpful.
To diagnose your condition and manage the best course of treatment, the urologist may order certain tests, which can include:
- Physical Examination This may differ by gender. Men might undergo a rectal exam, while women might need a pelvic exam.
- Lab tests: You may be asked to provide samples of urine, blood, and, in some cases, semen. Consider drinking water before your appointment, as a urine sample may be required on-site.
- Imaging tests: The urologist may order imaging tests like ultrasounds or CT scans to get a clearer picture.
These tests help the urologist near you analyze your situation accurately and develop an effective treatment plan.
Tips to keep the bladder healthy
Some common tips to keep the urinary bladder healthy include the following:
Bacteria can thrive near the opening of the genitals, which can cause bladder infections. Therefore, you need to clean your genitals daily, especially before and after sexual intercourse. Women are more susceptible to bladder infections because their urethra is closer to where bacteria naturally form. Therefore, keep your genitals clean and urinate before and after sex, as it helps to flush out the bacteria and prevent a bladder infection.
Urine contains bacteria that need to be drained from the body. Therefore, it is essential to urinate completely. Stopping or obstructing the natural flow of urine by tightening the muscles causes some urine to return to the bladder, causing urinary tract infections and bladder infections.
Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of bladder cancer. Compared to nonsmokers, regular smokers have a higher risk of bladder cancer. Therefore, try to quit smoking and stop other forms of tobacco use to improve your bladder health and avoid any health risks.
Drinking more water helps flush out bacteria and other waste substances from the body. It helps keep you hydrated and prevents bladder and other urinary tract infections. A human body, on average, needs about 3 liters of water daily to stay hydrated. So, make sure your body receives the required water intake. Also, avoid drinking too much water throughout the day as it could drain all the healthy nutrients from the body.
A sedentary lifestyle and heart disorders can lead to the build-up of fluid deposits in the legs during the day. During nighttime, these fluids reach the bladder and may cause the need to empty the bladder frequently. If you experience an active bladder overnight, try to walk around or do some physical activity during the day. If you have issues walking, raise your legs to your waist and flex your calf muscles.
Finding the best urologists near you
While preventing such health conditions completely might be challenging, people can choose to find the finest doctors available. By connecting you with the best urologists in Denver, Colorado, Zocdoc simplifies this process and ensures you get the best care possible. Our comprehensive urology directory provides access to your location's top-rated and experienced urologists.
The American Board of Urology licenses all urologists listed on Zocdoc. Each doctor's profile is verified and updated and displays information based on patient ratings, patient reviews, the doctor's education, practice history, certifications, clinical interests, and specializations. All you need to do is include 'Urologists' in your search query and choose from the top urologists in your area.
Once you choose the best urologists near you, Zocdoc assists you in instantly booking an appointment for your first session. Zocdoc allows you to book online appointments and in-person visits on the same day, 24 hours in advance, or even after 5 pm, depending on the urologist's availability.
You can filter doctors based on your insurance carrier and plan to find the most relevant doctors who accept your insurance. 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, log on to the Zocdoc patient help center page.
All bookings with Zocdoc are free, fast, and secure.
Statistics on urological conditions in Colorado State
The American Cancer Society estimates that 3,900 new instances of prostate cancer are diagnosed in Colorado each year. In 2021, there were 25,880 reported prostate cancer cases in Colorado. Their latest data for 2022 suggests about 4030 new prostate cancer cases among Colorado men and an estimated 580 prostate cancer deaths.
Data on bladder cancer from the American Cancer Society suggests there are approximately 1,200 new cases of bladder cancer in Colorado each year. In 2021, 7,730 urinary bladder cases were reported in Colorado. Bladder cancer appeared to be more common in men than women. For Colorado men, it is the fourth most common type of cancer. As per the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network's data for 2022, there are 1,220 new bladder cancer cases in Colorado.
The American Cancer Society's data on kidney cancer suggests an estimated 1,080 new kidney cancer cases in 2022 and over 180 cancer deaths in Colorado.
Sources
Urology Care Foundation
Healthline[1]
Healthline[2]
American College of Surgeons
Moffitt Cancer Center
American Cancer Society
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
Mayo Clinic[3]
Mayo Clinic[4]
NYU Langone Health
WebMD
Everyday Health
Cleveland Clinic
