What is a urologist?
The urinary tract is our body's drainage system. The waste from our body passes through urine via the urinary duct. The urinary tract comprises kidneys, ureters, urethra, and bladder, and these organs ensure the proper functioning of the urinary tract.
A urologist is a specialist doctor trained to diagnose and treat urinary system diseases, like urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder control issues, and prostate-related problems. Urologists have expertise in diagnosing and treating diseases affecting the reproductive system and conditions involving the adrenal glands on top of the kidneys.
Aspiring doctors must qualify for the Medical College Admission Test to enroll in a medical school after finishing a bachelor's degree. After four years of medical school, they must complete a residency program for 5-6 years. During this period, they are trained in their chosen specialization and work with senior, expert urologists, allowing them to learn surgical and medical treatments for urological diseases. After residency, they may become board-certified by the American Board of Urology. Urologists must pass the state medical exam to become a licensed medical practitioner.
What is the difference between urology and nephrology?
The American Urological Association defines urology as a medical field specializing in diagnosing, treating, and managing both male and female urinary tract diseases. Nephrology is the field of medicine specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the kidneys.
Nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine rather than urology. Nephrologists manage other bodily conditions that cause kidney issues or conditions that happen because of kidney problems. Hence, nephrologists aren't surgeons. Urologists, on the other hand, are primarily surgeons.
Difference between a urologist and a urogynecologist
Urology is a broader medical field compared to urogynecology. For instance, urologists treat men, women, and children. In contrast, urogynecologists specifically address issues related to a woman's pelvic floor. When you see a urologist, it is typically for concerns involving the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. Urologists manage a wide range of conditions, from UTIs to bladder cancer.
In simple terms, think of a urogynecologist as a pelvic floor specialist. Women dealing with urinary incontinence, an overactive bladder, or prolapse of the uterus, vagina, bladder, or rectum should seek treatment from a urogynecologist.
While urology and gynecology overlap in certain areas, urogynecology focuses on specific conditions, such as:
- Urinary incontinence (or urinary leakage): Women are twice as likely to experience this condition compared to men. Risk factors include vaginal childbirth, diuretic medications, chronic constipation, smoking, and obesity.
- Organ prolapse: Prolapse results from weakened vaginal muscles. Risk factors include vaginal childbirth, pelvic floor injuries, obesity, smoking, genetics, chronic coughing, and chronic constipation.
- Overactive bladder: This condition involves a frequent, intense urge to urinate, often accompanied by urinary incontinence.
Pelvic floor medical problems generally involve issues with the ligaments, muscles, connective tissues, and nerves in the vagina, rectum, uterus, and bladder. If you experience painful prolapses or bladder or bowel problems that affect your daily life, consider consulting a urogynecologist.
What are the conditions treated by urologists?
Urologists treat common conditions and rarer illnesses that affect everyone, including gender-specific ones. Some of these conditions include:
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Inability to control urine (Urinary incontinence)
- Blood in urine (Hematuria)
- Painful bladder (Interstitial cystitis)
- Disorders of the male reproductive system, such as enlarged prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia, erectile dysfunction
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Kidney stones
- Cancers of the bladder, kidneys, and prostate
- Congenital urinary tract issues.
When should you consult a urologist?
To help you identify urological symptoms, we have summed up some of the symptoms of the conditions that come under the scope of a urologist. If you experience the following symptoms, consult a top urologist near you:
- Bladder control issues, resulting in frequent urination or the urge to urinate
- Trouble in urinating, experiencing pain while urinating, difficulty in starting or maintaining a urine stream
- Having blood in your pee or having murky urine
- Difficulty getting or keeping an erection
- If there is a difference in how your penis or testicles feel
- Pain in the pelvic area
- Pain in the lower stomach
The doctor might order a few tests and perform physical examinations to analyze the condition and determine the best treatment. It is critical to provide the doctors with transparent and honest details so they can help you get the appropriate treatment.
What to expect during your visit to a urologist?
When you schedule an appointment with a urologist or get a referral from your primary care doctor, it is best to come prepared with questions or symptoms related to your condition. You will need to share details about your medical history and any medications you are taking.
Your urologist will likely recommend the following tests to diagnose your condition and determine the most effective treatment.
- Physical examination: These exams vary based on gender. Men may need a rectal exam, while women might require a pelvic exam.
- Urinalysis, blood tests, and semen samples: These involve providing samples of urine, blood, and semen. Make sure to drink water before your appointment in case the provider asks for a urine sample.
- Imaging tests: Tests like ultrasounds or computed tomography (CT) scans may be ordered.
What tests and procedures do urologists commonly perform?
In addition to a physical examination, during your visit to the best urologist near you, they may perform specific procedures to diagnose your condition. They may recommend one or multiple tests ranging from blood tests to biopsies to understand the root cause of your symptoms. Further, Urologists undergo training as surgeons. However, some may choose to practice without surgery.
Urologists commonly perform the following diagnostic and surgical procedures-
- Prostate biopsy - The prostate gland found in males is walnut-shaped and responsible for producing a fluid (semen) that transports and nourishes sperm. Your urologist may perform a prostate biopsy to detect prostate cancer. Your urologist usually recommends this test if they find elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in you. They may also perform it if they find abnormalities during a digital rectal exam. During a prostate biopsy, the urologist will use a needle to get a tissue sample from the prostate gland. The urologist will then examine these tissues for cell abnormalities and to check the possibility of cancer. If prostate cancer is confirmed, the urologist will establish the right course of treatment depending on the patient's symptoms and disease progression.
- Cystoscopy - This diagnostic procedure views the urethra and bladder. Your urologist will most likely recommend a cystoscopy if you are experiencing symptoms like frequent urinary tract infections, blood in the urine (hematuria), incontinence, and a painful burning sensation before, after, or during urination. The urologist fills the bladder with fluid before the test. During the test, they use a long, thin optical instrument (cystoscope) to view the bladder and check for problems such as stones, signs of obstruction or blockage, and stricture (narrowing of the urethra).
- Vasectomy - This minor procedure prevents the sperm from reaching the semen. Vasectomies are usually performed in a urologist's office and are the best method to avoid pregnancy (apart from abstinence). Your urologist may perform one of two types of vasectomies- a conventional vasectomy or a no-scalpel vasectomy. Vasectomies are safe procedures. Minor pain may occur after the treatment.
- Ablation therapy - Minimally invasive ablation treatment is a relatively new procedure to treat prostate cancer. The procedure involves radiofrequency, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), or cryotherapy (freezing temperatures) to destroy part or all of the prostate. These procedures can eliminate cancer.
How to take care of your bladder health?
Here are six straightforward recommendations to support bladder health. These simple suggestions can help in enhancing or preserving your bladder's well-being.
- Ensure you stay hydrated by consuming ample water, aiming for 6 to 8 cups daily. Limiting alcohol and caffeine can assist in keeping your bladder healthy because they can irritate it. Doctors also recommend limiting the consumption of beverages like coffee, tea, or cola, which can increase bladder activity and possibly cause leakage.
- Practice healthy bathroom habits by aiming for 4 to 8 trips to the restroom during the day and no more than twice during the night. Excessive nighttime urination, known as nocturia, could indicate an underlying condition. Women should sit on the toilet rather than hovering, as hovering may not empty the bladder. Take time while urinating to ensure complete emptying; rushing increases the risk of bladder infections.
- Avoid consuming foods that can exacerbate urinary incontinence. Restrict your intake of items such as chocolate (which also contains caffeine) and spicy or acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits.
- Maintain the strength of pelvic floor muscles through regular pelvic floor muscle training. Try incorporating kegel exercises into your routine to help strengthen these muscles.
- Quitting smoking is highly beneficial for your bladder health. Tobacco is a significant risk factor for bladder cancer, with cigarette smokers being two to three times more at risk of getting bladder cancer compared to nonsmokers.
- Don't hesitate to discuss your bladder health with your healthcare provider openly. While it might feel uncomfortable, remember that healthcare professionals are accustomed to addressing various issues. Bladder-related symptoms are common, and there are multiple treatments available, including lifestyle adjustments, behavioral modifications, medications, bladder retraining, or even surgical options. If you're experiencing any symptoms, you must contact the best urologist for guidance and support.
Find a top urologist near you in Snellville, GA
Urologic disorders can occur at any age. Many are chronic and affect individuals by impairing their quality of life. If you notice any symptoms or suspect you have the condition mentioned above, you must consult a urologist immediately. Searching for a qualified and trusted urologist can be complex and confusing, but Zocdoc makes it easier!
All doctors on Zocdoc have detailed profiles and patient reviews. To access this directory of profiles, head to Zocdoc.com or download our application. Enter the type of specialty, date, and location in the search bar. After searching for doctors by specialty, click "insurance" in the search filter and choose your specific insurance provider. Our search engine makes it easy to find the best urologist near you in Snellville, Georgia, who accepts your insurance plan. On Zocdoc, you can link your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your account, but please note that only one plan can be used per appointment.
If you have multiple insurance plans, you can add your secondary insurance information in the appointment notes. Alternatively, if your healthcare provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can directly enter your secondary insurance details through the form.
When you choose an in-network practitioner, you can trust Zocdoc to keep all information about your health insurance safe according to the industry's best practices. For any insurance-related questions, contact Zocdoc's patient help center.
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Urological health statistics in the US and Georgia
The economic impact of urological diseases is often substantial for patients and families, employers, payers, and society.
A study published by the American Urological Association Journals in 2021 shows a high prevalence of bladder control issues among women in the United States, affecting about 53% of the total female population. Out of the affected 53%women, almost 30% reported moderate or severe symptoms, which is common in older women. Additionally, nearly 24% of these women said the issue affected their daily lives.
According to a study published by the Georgia Department of Public Health in Georgia, prostate cancer is one of the dominant cancer types and the second most common reason for cancer-related mortality among males. Georgia had nearly 7,000 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2010, and over 800 of them died from this disease. According to the latest estimate by the American Cancer Society, Georgia has around 9150 patients with prostate cancer.
According to a 2017 article published by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, about 1 in 10 children experience trouble with daytime wetting at age 5. Wetting throughout the night is more prevalent than during the day. If one parent experienced bedwetting as a child, the likelihood of their child bedwetting is approximately 1 in 3. However, if both parents had a history of bedwetting during their childhood, the chances increase to 7 in 10 for their child to also experience bedwetting.
According to a 2020 study published by the American Urological Association, there are around 4,223 urologic care practices in the US, which comprise solo practices, private groups, academic medical centers, non-academic hospitals, and other clinical settings. Of these, 932 are in the southeastern region of the country.
Sources
Cleveland Clinic
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases[1]
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases[2]
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases[3]
American Urological Association Journals
American Urological Association
Georgia Department of Public Health[1]
Georgia Department of Public Health[2]
American Cancer Society
University of Rochester Medical Center
Urology Care Foundation[1]
Urology Care Foundation[2]
Mayo Clinic
NYU Langone Health
Urology Care Foundation
Advanced Gynecology
