What is urology?
The field of medicine known as urology focuses on treating conditions affecting the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. In addition, urology addresses issues related to male reproductive systems (penis, testes, scrotum, prostate, etc.). Urologic health is essential since conditions affecting these bodily parts can impact the whole body.
Within the broader field of urology, the American Urological Association (AUA) has designated seven subspecialties:
- Calculi (urinary tract stones)
- Pediatric urology (children's urology)
- Urologic oncology (urologic cancers)
- Female urology
- Neurology (nervous system control of genitourinary organs)
- Renal (kidney) transplant
- Male infertility
Who is a urologist, and what are their educational qualifications?
Urologists are highly skilled professionals with expertise in surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, and other medical fields. They are allowed to perform surgical procedures and recommend treatments for urological conditions.
To become a urologist, individuals must fulfill specific educational prerequisites. The process involves completing four years of medical school, at least two years of general surgical training, and then four additional years of specialized training focused on urologic surgery.
What do urologists treat?
Urologists treat many conditions that affect both men and women, including common and rare illnesses. Some conditions that they treat are:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can affect any part of the urinary system and are caused by bacteria, particularly E. coli. Frequent or painful urination and lower back discomfort may indicate urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Urinary incontinence affects many people and causes them to experience bladder control issues, resulting in uncontrollable urine leakage that can significantly impact their daily lives.
- Hematuria refers to blood in urine. Healthcare providers describe blood in the urine using words such as gross, microscopic, or dipstick.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) causes the prostate to enlarge, leading to difficulty peeing and a sudden urge to urinate.
- Interstitial cystitis is a chronic pain-causing condition or discomfort in the bladder area (suprapubic region), along with frequent urination (frequency) and sudden urges to urinate (urgency) that persist for at least six weeks.
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) leads to difficulty or incapability to maintain or even achieve an erection that is sufficiently firm for sexual activity.
- Kidney stones refer to a solid mass or crystal with an irregular shape that forms in the kidney. The size ranges from a tiny grain to that of a golf ball.
- Congenital urological anomalies affect the urological and genital systems present at birth or during infancy.
Possible reasons to consult a urologist
If you are facing the following, visit the best urologist near you to ensure you receive timely and proper care:
- Difficulty urinating, such as having trouble starting or maintaining a solid urine flow, experiencing pain, having cloudy urine, or having blood in urine
- A constant urge to urinate
- Infertility
- Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
- Involuntary urination during activities like exercising, laughing, or sneezing
- Pelvic pain
- The sensation of something falling into the vagina or pressure in that area
What can you expect from a urologist visit?
Look for a well-known urologist with extensive experience treating your condition. You can ask your family physician for recommendations or conduct your research by reading online reviews.
Once you have found the best urologist near you, carry all the necessary documents and information to your appointment. It includes your insurance information, a photo ID like a passport or driver's license, a list of active medications, and details about any prior or present health conditions, surgeries, and allergies.
When visiting a urologist, be aware of your health issue and its symptoms. It will help the doctor understand your concerns. The urologist will ask further questions to conclude the evaluation and identify the problem. Based on the diagnosis, your urologist will most likely prescribe tests to understand your ailment and establish the best treatment. Here are some standard tests:
- Physical examination: These will differ for males and women. If you're a male, your doctor may perform a rectal exam. If you are a woman, you may require a pelvic exam.
- Blood, urine, and semen analysis: You must provide urine, blood, and sperm samples for these tests. If a urine sample is required, drink sufficient water before visiting.
- Imaging procedures: These tests include X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, and ultrasounds.
What are the treatments offered by urologists?
Urologists offer various treatment plans depending on the individual's condition and severity. They can prescribe medications, make lifestyle changes, and perform surgical procedures. They can also advise 'behavior training,' like performing exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles to hold in urine. Some of the standard procedures include the following:
It is a surgical procedure to remove one or both adrenal glands located at the top of each kidney. The glands are crucial in making hormones part of the endocrine system. These hormones maintain metabolism, blood pressure, blood sugar, immune system, and other vital body functions. Adrenalectomy is necessary to remove tumors, stop cancer from metastasizing to different areas of the body, or if it produces excess hormones.
Urologists perform it to remove the urinary bladder in men and women. Radical cystectomy is a procedure to remove the entire bladder. In men, it includes the removal of seminal vesicles and prostate. Accordingly, it involves the excision of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and a segment of the vagina in women. The procedure also involves creating a new pathway for urine to pass through via urinary diversion. Cystectomy is essential for treating recurring noninvasive bladder cancer and to hinder the progression of cancer that might have affected the bladder's muscle tissue.
Urologists perform a prostate biopsy to check signs of prostate cancer and remove samples of suspicious tissue. It involves the use of a needle to collect the samples from the prostate gland. After that, urologists examine to check for cell abnormalities and determine the severity of cancer, if present.
It is a surgical procedure of cutting the tubes that carry sperm in men to prevent unwanted pregnancy. It is a form of male contraception to cut the supply of sperm in the semen. Urologists generally perform vasectomy in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. However, it is essential to note that it may not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What is urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence, often known as a loss of bladder control, is a common and unpleasant condition. The intensity ranges from little urine leakage during sneezing, coughing, or laughing to complete incapability of controlling urine.
People believe that men are less likely than women to experience urinary incontinence. It is due to female anatomy, menopause, pregnancy, and delivery. Men account for about one-third of the 12 million Americans who suffer from incontinence. Male incontinence and prostate disorders or treatments are commonly connected.
There are three types of urinary incontinence: urinary, stress, and overflow. An overactive bladder causes urinary incontinence. Before a person is ready to urinate, the bladder contracts involuntarily. Stress incontinence occurs when the supporting tissue and muscles around the urethra and bladder become weaker.
Overflow incontinence occurs when a person sneezes, coughs, or strains. It can also occur in the urinary system due to a blockage, which various disorders, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer, urethral constriction, urine retention, etc, can cause.
Hence, you can consult a urologist near you for an accurate diagnosis.
What is pelvic organ prolapse?
When the supporting tissues deteriorate, structures such as the bladder or rectum expand or protrude into the vaginal wall, known as vaginal or pelvic prolapse. This disorder occurs among women. Urine leaks, pelvic discomfort and pressure, trouble urinating or having a bowel movement, recurring urinary tract infections, and painful sexual intercourse are all possible signs of prolapse. Vaginal and pelvic prolapse can occur due to childbirth, old age, or pelvic surgery.
Tips to keep the bladder healthy
The top 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 thrive. 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. Regular smokers are at a greater risk of bladder cancer than nonsmokers. Therefore, 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 also helps keep you hydrated and prevent bladder and other urinary tract infections. On average, the human body 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 have 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.
What is prostate cancer, and how soon to get it screened?
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that only affects males and develops in the prostate gland.
If you are of African-American heritage or have a history of prostate cancer in your family, screening should start at age 40. For males who do not fall into these categories, screening should begin around 50.
A digital rectal exam (DRE) and a blood test for prostate-specific antigen are the two methods used to screen for prostate cancer (PSA). Regular examinations are essential for early diagnosis because prostate cancer doesn't typically show symptoms until it's advanced.
Locate a reputable urologist in Washington, DC
Finding the most experienced and reliable urologist near you can get complex. However, thanks to services like Zocdoc, consumers can quickly locate the top urologists from the comfort of their homes.
You can quickly schedule an online or in-person consultation with a urologist by accessing the Zocdoc website and entering your illness, location, insurance carrier, and plan. The search results will display the finest urologists in your area depending on your parameters, from which you may pick based on the doctor's training, qualifications, clinic location, and genuine patient testimonies.
If you want to know your insurance plan, upload a photograph of your insurance card, and we will find and display information regarding your insurance plan (this facility is not available for vision or dental plans). You can even contact the Zocdoc service team if you need help uploading a photo of your card. You can also check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more information and solutions related to insurance.
Customers can book appointments on the same day, 24 hours in advance, over the weekend, or after 5 p.m., depending on the doctor's availability. You can easily view the time slots and choose the most convenient one to see a urologist near you.
All bookings made with Zocdoc are fast, secure, and cost-free!
Prevalence of urological conditions in the District of Columbia and the US
According to the District of Columbia Cancer Registry, prostate cancer is non-skin cancer that affects males most frequently locally and nationally. Although the origins of prostate cancer are still unclear, some variables may increase the risk, including family history, high testosterone levels, and eating a diet high in fat.
According to a 2014 report by the District of Columbia Cancer Registry, the incidence of prostate cancer was highest (19.8%) in those aged between 60 to 64, followed by those aged 65 to 69 (19%), 55-59 (15.9%), and 70-74 (15.5%). Up to 69.4% of prostate cancer cases get diagnosed in local states in DC. Mortality for prostate cancer was highest (42.9%) in those above 85, followed by the age group 80-84 (25.7%) and 70-74 (14.3%).
Between 15% and 50% of women in the community suffer from urinary incontinence. In a 2010 report available at the National Library of Medicine, out of 875 individuals, 461 (52.6%) reported experiencing urine incontinence in the last 12 months, and 340 (38.9%) reported having it in the previous seven days. Undiagnosed urine incontinence had an age-adjusted prevalence of 51% from a year earlier and 38% over the last weeks.
Sources
Urology Care Foundation
UCI Health
Academic Urology & Urogynecology of Arizona
Cleveland Clinic
District of Columbia Department of Health
National Library of Medicine[1]
National Library of Medicine[2]
National Library of Medicine[3]
WebMD
Mayo Clinic[1]
Mayo Clinic[2]
Mayo Clinic[3]
Mayo Clinic[4]
Mayo Clinic[5]
Everyday Health
