Urologists specialize in the health of the urinary tract and reproductive system. They treat both men and women for conditions that affect the bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys and adrenal glands.
To become a urologist, you need to earn a four-year undergraduate degree and four years of medical school. After that, you go through five or six more years of specialty training, which includes surgical.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
UTIs are a common infection that affects the bladder, urethra and kidneys. They are often very easy to treat with antibiotics urologist online. But they can get worse if you don’t take the medication or stop it early.
Women are more likely to get UTIs than men. This is because the urethra in women is shorter and closer to their anus (back passage).
Other factors, such as hormone changes and sexual intercourse, can also make you more vulnerable to UTIs. A few of the things you can do to reduce your risk are wiping from back to front after using the bathroom, having sex regularly and not drinking too much water.
Symptoms of UTIs are usually pain and a feeling of urgency when you urinate. They may also include fever, chills and sweating.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones can cause pain and interfere with your ability to urinate. They can also damage kidneys, which is why it’s important to get them treated quickly.
A urologist can find out what’s causing you to have stone formations by doing a physical exam and taking a full history. He or she may order tests like blood, urine and X-rays to see what’s causing your stones and develop a treatment plan for you.
Your urologist may recommend a change in your diet to help lower your risk of stones. This may include eating less salt, drinking more water and changing the types of foods you eat.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis is a chronic pain condition that can affect your quality of life. It can lead to bladder pain, urinary frequency, urgency and lower urinary tract symptoms that last more than 6 weeks without an infection or other clear cause.
Your Hackensack Meridian Health urologist can help you find the best treatment for your symptoms. You may have to try several different treatments before you find one that works for you.
You might also need to make changes in your diet, such as eliminating foods that irritate your bladder. This can ease your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
If your pelvic floor muscles become too weak or damaged, your bladder, uterus and rectum may prolapse (fall out of place). Pelvic organ prolapse is one of several pelvic disorders that affect women.
Symptoms can include pain in the lower back, pain during sex, and incomplete emptying of your bladder or bowels. If your symptoms get worse, or if you feel like your bladder is always dropping, it’s time to talk to a urologist about getting help.
Your doctor will first assess your health and perform a physical exam of your pelvic area. He or she may also order imaging to see if more than one organ is prolapsed.
Kidney Cancer
Most people think a urologist is a “gynecologist for men.” But in fact, a urologist can treat a woman with many of the same conditions that men have.
Kidney cancer can be life-threatening, but it is much more likely to be treated successfully when it is caught early on. That’s why it is important to see a urologist for regular check-ups.
Conclusion
If your doctor diagnoses you with kidney cancer, he or she will order tests to determine the stage of your illness. For example, a CT scan can show whether the cancer has spread to other parts of your body.
