What is the urinary tract?
The body removes urine through the urinary tract, which consists of the bladder, kidneys, and ureters. Urine is a combination of waste and water. All the parts in the urinary tract must function together for regular urination without any issues.
Who are urologists?
Specialists who treat conditions impacting the urinary system, including the adrenal glands, bladder, kidney, ureter, and urethra, are known as urologists. They also treat all male problems involving the penis, prostate, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and testes. Traditionally, doctors would examine a patient's urine for indications of their ailment. The urology branch of medicine focuses only on urinary system health.
Men and women of all ages visit urologists. A urologist is an expert in diagnosing and caring for urinary tract issues. They can treat bladder problems, urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder and kidney cancer, kidney blockage, kidney stones, etc.
What type of training does a urologist have?
Following the four years of medical school, urologists undergo at least five more years of specialized study in the male reproductive system and urinary tract. Some urologists specialize in reconstructive urology, women's urology, pediatric urology, male infertility, sexual health, or kidney stones. To become board-certified, urologists in the US must pass the American Board of Urology test.
What is the difference between a urologist and a nephrologist?
While nephrologists and urologists may sound similar, they are different medical specialties. If you require one of these doctors, you must understand their critical differences, as it will help you determine which is best suited to your requirements.
A nephrologist treats kidney diseases and problems. They concentrate on how the kidneys function and offer non-surgical treatments. Urologists, on the other hand, are surgeons who specialize in kidney and urinary tract diseases. They address urinary problems such as difficulty retaining urination, urinary stones, and problems with the male reproductive system.
Urologists and nephrologists are healthcare professionals who must complete their undergraduate studies and medical school. Urologists must complete internship training before clearing their license exam. However, nephrologists can practice internal medicine once they complete the nephrology fellowship program.
Most nephrologists receive their early experience in hospitals. Some learn privately, while others prefer to work in groups, i.e., with other nephrologists. Urologists, on the other hand, can practice in both private and hospital settings. Since urologists are surgeons, they work in a highly demanding setting. They frequently have to manage individuals who react negatively to some treatment or are in severe pain.
A nephrologist typically treats all kidney-related illnesses and diseases. It includes renal failure, urinary tract infections, and excessive blood pressure. They usually require patients to undergo tests to diagnose their illness. Nephrologists also collaborate with other healthcare providers to develop effective patient treatment strategies. In addition, nephrologists recommend patients to urologists if surgery is required, but they are primarily responsible for their treatment.
The roles of nephrologists and urologists are almost similar. As a result, it is best to see a nephrologist regularly, as this will ensure that your kidneys are functioning in the right state throughout.
What are urological disorders?
Urological disorders are disorders related to a broad range of illnesses linked to the body's filtering and excretion of urine. These illnesses can affect people of all sexes and ages, including children and teenagers. In females, urological disorders primarily pertain to the urinary tract, whereas in males, it involves prostatic and testicular diseases.
Overview of prevalent urological diseases
Urological conditions and illnesses are widespread. A urologist near you will be able to help you deal with these illnesses. The American Urological Association Foundation (AUAF) listed the following disorders as the most prevalent ones:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) is brought on by harmful bacteria or viruses. Women are far more likely to have them. According to the AUAF, a UTI will affect about 40% of females and 12% of males.
- Kidney and ureteral stones: Stones in the kidneys and urinary tract occur when there are more crystals in the urine than fluid, causing these microscopic crystals to fuse and form stones. These stones can obstruct urine flow and produce a great deal of discomfort.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): BPH refers to an enlarged prostate and is usually age-related in most men.
- Urinary incontinence: It is the inability to regulate the urinary bladder that causes unintentional urine leaks, especially during activities such as jumping, sneezing, coughing, etc. According to the AUAF, over 15 million Americans suffer from incontinence.
Other prevalent urological conditions include prostatic cancer, urethral cancer, bladder prolapse, erectile dysfunction, interstitial cystitis (painful bladder syndrome), and prostatitis (prostate gland inflammation).
What are the different types of urinary incontinence?
Following are some of the main types of urinary incontinence:
- Stress incontinence: When pressure on the bladder from coughing, sneezing, exercising, or lifting heavy objects leads to a urine leak.
- Urge incontinence: A sudden and intense urgency to urinate, followed by an involuntary release. This can happen frequently, even at night, and may stem from infections, neurological conditions, or diabetes.
- Overflow incontinence: Constant dribbling or frequent small leaks, indicating that the bladder isn’t emptying.
- Functional incontinence: Physical or mental challenges, such as severe arthritis, can make it difficult to reach the restroom in time, leading to leaks.
- Mixed incontinence: Often a mix of stress and urge incontinence involving symptoms of more than one kind of leakage.
If you experience any of these, you’re not alone! There are many ways to manage and treat incontinence, so consult a urologist near you about what might work best for you.
How is urinary incontinence diagnosed?
The process of diagnosis typically starts with a comprehensive medical history and physical exam. Your doctor may ask you to perform a simple task, like coughing, to check for signs of leakage.
Next, your doctor may suggest one or more of the following tests:
- Urinalysis: A urine sample is collected from you and tested for signs of infection, blood, or other abnormalities.
- Bladder diary: Over several days, you'll track details such as how much you drink, when you urinate, the volume, any urgency, and any incidents of leakage.
- Postvoid residual measurement: This test checks how much urine remains in your bladder after urinating. A catheter or ultrasound is used to calculate the leftover urine. If there's a significant amount, it could signal an obstruction or issues with bladder nerves or muscles.
If further assessment is needed, the urologist might recommend more advanced tests like urodynamic testing or pelvic ultrasound, especially if surgery is being considered.
What are standard urologic surgical procedures?
Several urologic surgical procedures treat conditions of the prostate gland, penis, testicles, urinary bladder, kidneys, and other parts of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. Some of the most common ones include:
- Vasectomy is for permanent male sterilization, in which the urologist cuts and seals the vas deferens, the long tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra.
- Vasectomy reversal helps restore fertility in men by reconnecting the vas deferens. However, this procedure does not guarantee they can conceive again.
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) involves surgically removing a part of the prostate. Urologists often perform TURP when benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) does not respond to medical treatment.
- Radical prostatectomy: Often performed to treat prostate cancer, it is the surgical removal of the entire prostate gland and the surrounding tissues.
- Ureteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure wherein the urologist inserts a ureteroscope, a thin tube with an attached light and camera, in the ureter, the tube through which urine travels from the kidney to the bladder. It can help them diagnose and remove kidney stones, polyps, or other minor obstructions.
- Orchiopexy helps treat an undescended testicle, a condition where the testicle does not move into the scrotum before birth.
- Penile implants & prostheses involves implanting a device into the penis to treat Peyronie's disease, erectile dysfunction, and other deformities or traumatic injuries of the penis.
- Male circumcision refers to removing the foreskin of the penis because it significantly reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infections, and penile cancer. Besides medical reasons, it also makes maintaining hygiene easier.
- Nephrectomy is the process of surgically removing the kidney, often performed to treat kidney cancer and kidney disease.
- Cystectomy is a surgical process used to remove the urinary bladder to treat bladder cancer.
How can you improve your overall urological health?
Maintaining good urological health can be achieved by simple lifestyle changes. Even the slightest difference may have a significant impact on your health. You can help support your bladder health by incorporating these healthy habits.
- Water consumption: Drinking 6 to 8 cups daily is essential. It helps your kidneys better filter out waste from the body. Decrease your intake of alcohol and coffee, as these can cause bladder problems. Too much coffee, tea, or carbonated soft drinks can increase bladder activity and cause urine leakage over time. Restricting these items in your diet can prove beneficial.
- Bathroom habits & hygiene: Using the restroom four to eight times daily and no more than twice at night is considered normal. Excessive urination at night is termed nocturia. Use the washroom when you feel the urge to urinate. Urine held in the bladder for long hours can cause urinary incontinence.
- Avoid bladder discomfort-causing foods: Certain foods might worsen urinary incontinence. Limit your consumption of chocolate, which is high in caffeine, and hot or acidic meals like tomatoes and citrus fruits.
- Stop smoking: Cigarette smoking is the primary risk factor for bladder cancer. Smokers have a 2-3 times higher potential risk of developing bladder cancer than non-smokers.
- Pelvic floor muscle strengthening: Regular kegel exercises help develop pelvic floor muscles and keep them strong and healthy. Kegel exercises are crucial for urologic health because they build up the muscles that support your bladder and bowels.
Find the top urologist near you in Phoenix, AZ
You must visit your doctor regularly and have routine health checkups done. If you experience any urological symptoms, you should consult the best urologist near you. Zocdoc has some of the top urologists who can assist you in treating your issues so you can live a fulfilling, healthy life.
Visit Zocdoc to find top-rated urologists in Phoenix, AZ, and make online or in-person appointments. Zocdoc provides search filters where you can enter your desired location, symptoms, and condition, and it will present you with a list of experts who meet your requirements. Each practitioner's profile includes comprehensive information, such as their degree, practice area, and procedures performed.
Zocdoc also lets you search for professionals who accept your insurance plan by adding it to the filter. If you want to locate your insurance plan, upload an image of your insurance card to your Zocdoc account, and we will find and display information regarding your insurance plan (this feature is not available for vision or dental plans). You can even contact the Zocdoc service team if you need help uploading the photo of your card. You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
Apply additional filters to your searches, such as availability, appointment time, distance, gender, and language. You can schedule an appointment after finding a healthcare provider best suited to your needs. Some urologists near you also offer online video consultations; look for the purple icon beside their names.
All reservations with Zocdoc are simple, safe, and cost-free!
Urology-related statistics in Phoenix, Arizona
According to a report by the American Urological Association, Arizona had about 276 active urologists and a 3.79 urologist-to-population ratio.
The National Cancer Institute states that Arizona's cancer incidence rate per 100,000 population from 2016 to 2020 was 17.4 for bladder cancer, 16.0 for kidney and renal pelvis cancer, and 76.4 for prostate cancer. During the same period, the cancer incidence rate for late stages per 100,000 people was 17.5 for prostate cancer and 1.8 for bladder cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society in Arizona, from 2016 to 2020, the death rate from bladder cancer was 4.0, and that from kidney cancer was 3.6 per 100,000 population. The death rate for prostate cancer was higher at 17.1 per 100,000 population.
Sources
Urology Care Foundation
Healthline
National Cancer Institute
American Cancer Society
WebMD
Max Healthcare
Alliance Urology Specialists
Phoenix Children's Hospital
Best Urologist NYC
American Urological Association
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
