Urology is the field of medicine that is associated with the diseases and disorders of the male and female urinary tract. Urologists are doctors who specialize in the treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the urinary system, including the bladder, kidney, ureter, urethra, and adrenal glands. In men, they treat all ailments concerning the penis, prostate, epididymis, seminal vesicles, and the testes.
They also perform surgeries if needed to remove cancer or a blockage in the urinary tract.
Below mentioned is a list of symptoms that indicate that you have a problem in the urinary tract and need to visit a urologist.
If you are a man and have the following symptoms, you must visit a urologist.
A patient may be referred to a urologist for treatment of a range of conditions:
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): These often arise when bacteria migrate from the digestive tract to the urethra. Symptoms include abnormal urination, pain, incontinence, nausea, vomiting, fevers, and chills. It mostly affects women.
Incontinence: A malfunction in the urinary system can lead to involuntary loss of bladder control. In women, this may result from a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles during pregnancy.
Male infertility: This can result from damage to the male reproductive tract and a variety of sperm disorders. One common cause is varicoceles, an enlarged vein in the sac beneath the penis. Surgery can sometimes help.
Kidney disease: Damage to the kidneys can lead to swelling in the hands and ankles, high blood pressure, and other symptoms. If the kidneys no longer work effectively, this is kidney failure. Ultimately, it can be fatal.
Renal transplantation: A person may require kidney transplants following kidney failure.
Urologic oncology: Treatment of cancers that relate to the urological or male reproductive system, such as bladder cancer and prostate cancer.
Bladder prolapse: when the tissues and muscles of the pelvic floor are no longer able to support the organs in the pelvis, the organs can drop from their usual position.
Cancers: the bladder, kidneys, prostate gland, testicles, and any other cancer that affects the urinary system or, in men, the reproductive system.
Enlarged prostate: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) affects around 1 in 3 men over the age of 50 years. An overgrowth of cells in the prostate gland causes the urethra to constrict, leading to problems with urination.
Erectile dysfunction: The penis is unable to attain sufficient rigidity to fully participate in sexual intercourse. This is often a symptom of an underlying condition.
Peyronie’s disease: A fibrous layer of scar tissue develops beneath the skin of the penis. This can lead to bending or curving in the penis (phimosis) during an erection that can cause pain and lead to difficulties with sexual intercourse.
Interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome: A chronic inflammatory bladder condition can produce discomfort ranging from mild to severe.
Kidney and ureteral stones: Small, hard deposits made from mineral and acid salts form in the kidneys but can pass through into the ureters. They can affect urination and cause pain, nausea and vomiting.
Prostatitis: Infection or inflammation of the prostate can cause painful urination or ejaculation. It can be acute or chronic.
Undescended testes, or cryptorchidism: Normally, the testicles form inside the abdomen of a fetus and descend into the scrotum before birth. If one or both does not descend, sperm production can be impaired, and there is a risk of complications.
Urethral stricture: scarring of the urethra can narrow or block the path of urine flowing from the bladder. Causes include infection, inflammation or injury. Symptoms include painful urination and reduced output. It can lead to complications such as prostatitis and urinary tract infections.
Pediatric urology: This includes the treatment of urological problems in children that are too complex for non-specialized pediatricians.
Treatment will vary according to the diagnosis. It includes the use of medications and surgery.
Types of medication include:
A urologist might perform surgery to:
Urologists also perform circumcisions. This procedure is done to remove the skin from the tip of the penis, for cultural, religious, or medical reasons.
A vasectomy, a permanent form of male contraception, is also carried out by a urologist.
The field of nephrology is a subspecialty of internal medicine, and its main focus is diagnosing and managing diseases that affect the way your kidneys function. There are many kinds of these diseases, several of which relate to hypertension, or high blood pressure.
There are a variety of services that a nephrologist can offer, such as:
Some of the reasons you may be referred to a nephrologist include: