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How can I make a same-day appointment with an Urologist in San Jose?
On average, patients who use Zocdoc can search for an Urologist in San Jose, book an appointment, and see the Urologist within 24 hours. Same-day appointments are often available, you can search for real-time availability of Urologists in San Jose who accept your insurance and make an appointment online.
How can I find a San Jose Urologist who takes my insurance?
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for a San Jose Urologist who takes your insurance. Just choose your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. If you’re not sure which plan you have, you can use Zocdoc’s insurance checker to find out.
How can I book an appointment online with an Urologist in San Jose?
Zocdoc is a free online service that helps patients find Urologists in San Jose and book appointments instantly. You can search for San Jose Urologists by symptom or visit reason. Then, choose your insurance plan. Based on that information, you’ll see a list of providers who meet your search criteria, along with their available appointment slots.
How can I find a female Urologist in San Jose?
When you search for San Jose Urologists on Zocdoc, you can filter your results by gender, in addition to other criteria. That way, you’ll only see Urologists in San Jose who match your preferences.
How can I find a San Jose Urologist who sees patients after hours?
On Zocdoc, you can search specifically for San Jose Urologists with availability after 5 p.m.
How can I find a top-rated Urologist in San Jose?
You can use Zocdoc to find Urologists in San Jose who are highly rated by other patients. These ratings are based on verified reviews submitted by real patients. Every time a patient completes an appointment booked on Zocdoc, they’re invited to review their experience. Each review must comply with Zocdoc’s guidelines.
How can I find a video visit with an Urologist online in San Jose?
Urologists in San Jose on Zocdoc who see patients through online video visits will have a purple video icon on their profiles. You can also filter your search results to show only Urologists who offer video visits.
Are video visits with an Urologist online covered by my insurance?
Most insurers provide coverage for video visits at the same cost as in-person visits. You can search on Zocdoc specifically for Urologists in San Jose who accept your insurance for video visits by selecting your carrier and plan from the drop-down menu at the top of the page. We recommend you check with your insurance carrier directly to confirm your coverage and out of pocket costs for video visits.
How can I find an Urologist in San Jose who sees patients in the morning or evening?
Zocdoc lets you search specifically for an Urologist who has appointments available before 10:00 am, or after 5:00 pm. Just choose the special hours filter at the top of our search page.
How can I find an Urologist in San Jose who sees patients during the weekend?
Zocdoc let's you see real-time availability for Urologists in San Jose. Many Urologists offer appointments on Saturdays and Sundays.
Who is a urologist?
A urologist is a specialist for conditions affecting the urinary tract and the reproductive system. They treat men, women, and children for diseases and issues associated with these organs. The urinary tract comprises the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureters. The reproductive system in man includes the penis, testes, scrotum, and prostate. In women, a urologist can also address specific issues with the pelvis and the vagina.
The best urologist near you can also treat problems with the adrenal glands. The close connection between the reproductive system and the urinary tract means that diseases or symptoms affecting one may also affect the other. In such instances, the term 'genitourinary' is applicable.
Education and training
To become a urologist, a medical doctor must complete five to six years of specialized training and four years of medical school.
During this residency program, they receive training in surgical and medical treatment of urological conditions. Some urologists then choose a subspecialty such as women's urology, men's infertility, children's urology, cancer, etc. In such a case, they must complete a fellowship lasting one to three years. Before they can legitimately begin their practice, urologists must get the American Board of Urology certification.
Subspecialties of urology
Some urology practitioners may tailor their services to meet the needs of only specific classes of patients. For example, they may only treat women, men, children, or older adults. Apart from this, they may also become experts in a particular subset of urology.
Some of these subspecialties are:
- Urologic oncology: Doctors who specialize in urologic oncology deal with genitourinary cancers, including those that affect the kidney, adrenal glands, prostate, bladder, ureters, testicles, or penis. They are trained to diagnose, treat, and perform surgeries to eliminate cancer.
- Pediatric urology: This includes diagnosing and treating genitourinary problems in children like cryptorchidism, underdeveloped genitalia, and vesicoureteral reflux.
- Andrology: This field treats disorders related to male reproductive organs. Some conditions include erectile dysfunction, infertility, and vasectomy reversal.
- Endourology: This specialty deals with minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat urethral disorders. The latest technology allows urologists to perform stone removal and prostate and urethral surgeries by inserting an endoscope into the urinary tract.
When should you see a urologist?
If your primary healthcare physician encounters anything of concern during regular check-ups, they may refer you to a urologist. Some red flags include bladder or kidney cancer, kidney stones, kidney blockage, and prostate enlargement. Bedwetting is one reason why children may need a urologist.
You could also seek an appointment with the best urologist near you if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Change in the pattern of urination – going more frequently or less frequently than normal
- Trouble urinating – when starting or not having a solid flow
- Pain in the groin or lower back, especially when urinating
- Cloudy or bloody urine
- A heavy feeling in the pelvic region that may be due to pelvic organ prolapse
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Urinary tract infections (UTI)
What to expect at your appointment?
Your first visit to a urologist near you is likely to be similar to that with any other medical practitioner. They will have questions about your medical history and any symptoms you are experiencing. The urologist may also ask about any medications you take or any allergies you may have. They will undertake a physical examination, which will be different for men and women.
For men, the urologist will perform a rectal examination; meanwhile, for women, they do a pelvic exam. You may also have to provide blood, urine, semen, or other samples for analysis. They might want to look closely at your organs and thus may recommend an ultrasound or a computed tomography (CT) scan.
The urologist will suggest further treatment based on the results of these tests and your accompanying symptoms. Treating some conditions with medications and exercise is possible, while others will need additional office-based procedures or hospital-based surgical intervention.
What treatment does a urologist provide?
Owing to their intensive medical and surgical training, a urologist is skilled in providing varying treatment options. They can, for example, prescribe medication and offer behavior training to manage issues like urinary retention, which can be treated through pelvic muscle-strengthening exercises.
Several standard procedures that a urologist may conduct include:
- Cystoscopy: This provides an up-close examination of the bladder and urethra using a specialized telescope-like tool called a cystoscope.
- Ureteroscopy: This is like cystoscopy but involves examining the ureters and kidneys.
- Prostate biopsy: This procedure may extract a tiny tissue sample from the prostate for cancer testing.
- Nephrectomy: This procedure involves surgically removing the kidney to treat cancer, which may be necessary.
- Vasectomy: A vasectomy can be performed to prevent pregnancy by severing the tubes responsible for carrying sperm in men.
Nephrologist vs urologist
Nephrology is a specialized field dedicated to precisely diagnosing and treating kidney diseases. It delves into the study of inflammation, chronic conditions, the impact of drugs, complications arising from various conditions, hypertension and its consequences on renal function, and the effects of diabetes mellitus on the renal system.
Nephrologists analyze the kidney's ability to effectively filter harmful constituents from the blood. Moreover, their focus extends to studying electrolyte disorders and managing imbalances in essential electrolytes like sodium, potassium, or calcium within the body.
Urologists, on the other hand, specialize in detecting and treating diseases connected to the urinary system in men and women, as well as disorders of the male reproductive system. Also called kidney specialist doctors, they address various urinary issues, including incontinence, tumors, and cysts, and can perform surgical interventions.
Prostate cancer screening
Prostate cancer is often detected early through the examination of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in a man's blood or a digital rectal exam (DRE). During DRE, either a urologist or general practitioner inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to check the abnormalities in the prostate gland. Further testing, such as a prostate biopsy, is typically conducted if abnormal results are obtained from these tests, aiming to confirm the presence of cancer.
The benefit of such a screening is to detect prostate cancer at an early stage. However, there are issues surrounding prostate cancer screening that make it confusing as to whether the benefits of the process are indeed more than the risks for most men.
One significant concern is the possibility of inaccurate or unclear test results. The PSA blood test may yield abnormal results without cancer (false-positive) or average results when cancer is present (false-negative). False-positive outcomes might lead to unnecessary prostate biopsies, carrying small risks of pain, infection, and bleeding. Additionally, false-negative results can provide a false sense of security to some men who might have prostate cancer.
Research is underway to improve the PSA test's precision and investigate alternative, more accurate screening methods. However, if you are considering prostate cancer screening, consult a urologist near you to weigh the potential for false-positive and false-negative results in the decision-making process.
Tips on maintaining good urological health
You can ensure good urological health by eating a balanced diet and taking up an exercise regime. Do not consume tobacco and avoid being excessive about alcohol and caffeine. Include colorful vegetables and fruits in your regular diet.
When you buy packaged food, read the nutrition information on the labels. Buy items that are low on sodium, sugar, and calories. Whenever you feel like snacking, choose healthy options such as nuts, seeds, and whole grains instead of cookies and candy. Stay hydrated by drinking at least three quarts of water daily, which can also help avoid kidney stones. Eggs, green beans, and bananas are some bladder-friendly foods.
Stick with healthy bathroom habits, such as emptying your bladder immediately when you feel the urge. Holding it for a longer time can result in infections. Make time for annual check-ups, as regular screening can help detect kidney disease and prostate cancer timely. These diseases often do not show signs or symptoms in the early stages. While these diseases are not reversible, they are treatable.
Finding an experienced urologist near you in San Jose
Urological conditions are best diagnosed and treated by a well-qualified urologist. Diseases of the urinary tract and reproductive system are rising exponentially, making getting medical help at the first sign essential. Please do not ignore the signs, as early detection of diseases makes it easier to treat and even cure you.
Are you looking for the best urologist near you in San Jose and need help with how to go about it? Zocdoc can help you find one with minimal effort. Start by searching our database of urologists using different filters to find the one best suited to your requirements. You can also apply a few filters, such as location, date, and type of insurance plan, when you search to get accurate results. Once you have a list of urologists matching your needs, click on individual profiles for more details, including experience, education, and board certification.
You will also find patient reviews that you can check for a better understanding of the experience with the doctor. Book an appointment only after completing your preferred specialists' due diligence. We use advanced algorithms and state-of-the-art technology to bring you the results. All bookings with Zocdoc are secure, safe, and 100% free!
Statistics on urological diseases in San Jose
Statistics indicate that about one in three adults is at kidney disease risk. If roughly translated, it is about 80 million people out of the American population. Kidney diseases are one of the leading causes of death in the United States. About 90% of people with kidney disease across the United States are unaware of having it. The number of Americans living with kidney failure is roughly around 810,000.
The statistics of the Santa Clara County Public Health Department show that prostate cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. The overall cancer death rates for men were higher than for women at around 175 and 132 per 100,000, respectively. Kidney and urinary tract diseases account for about 3% of all hospitalizations in the county. However, kidney and urinary tract infections made up nearly 20% of hospitalizations in the county due to Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions.
Sources
Santa Clara County Public Health
The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 immediately.