When men ‘know their body,’ they’re in a better position for better health. And this includes the health of their body below the belt. When unusual or atypical symptoms occur in this area, who should men see for the best advice and outcome?
Many of us depend on our primary care physician to diagnose and fix the various medical concerns. We make appointments with general practitioners for anything ranging from skin disorders, back problems, high blood pressure, or upper respiratory conditions.
But for men having urinary tract system issues, it’s time to seek out a physician specially trained to treat disorders occurring in this part of the body. Urology is a field of medicine focusing on the health of the urinary system. Doctors who are trained in this area are called urologists. Urologists are physicians specialized in the genitourinary tract – the kidneys, urinary bladder, adrenal glands, urethra, and male reproductive organs – and male fertility. Also, they are trained in the surgical and medical treatment of diseases that affect these organs, such as prostate cancer, bladder cancer, or kidney cancer.
For men having problems with a urologic nature, it only makes sense to see a urologist. Here are 10 reasons why a urologist is a doctor you want to diagnose and treat a urology condition – they have the knowledge and experience in helping people to find effective solutions to problems of this area of the body:
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Blood in your urine
The detection of blood in your urine is always a cause for concern and needs immediate attention. Your primary care physician can make a referral to a urologist who will conduct a physical exam along with various tests to find the cause. Blood in the urine could be a temporary condition caused by an injury or exercise but it could also indicate a more serious concern of the following:
- Bladder infection
- Kidney infection
- Kidney stones
- Bladder, kidney, or prostate cancer
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Painful urination
Experiencing pain upon urination can mean many things. For men, the most common causes are urethritis and certain prostate conditions. However, painful urination could also mean the following:
- Bladder stones
- Cystitis
- Chlamydia
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Kidney stones
- Prostate inflammation
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Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine or a loss of bladder control. This common and embarrassing problem can occur when a person simply sneezes, coughs or laughs. It can also happen when having an urge to urinate that is so sudden and strong that a person is unable to hold their urine in time to get to a bathroom. Don’t wait to see a urologist as urinary incontinence begins to affect daily activities.
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Hernia
When an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place, a hernia occurs. As an example, the intestines may break through a weakened area in the abdominal wall leading to a painless lump or to a painful, tender, swollen protrusion of tissue. Seeing a urologist can help diagnose and treat the hernia.
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Enlarged prostate
An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, affects the prostate gland in men, usually over the age of 50. The prostate gland is located just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the bladder. When it is enlarged, the prostate will press on the urethra blocking the flow of urine resulting in the following symptoms:
- Feeling that the bladder full even right after urinating
- Feeling the need to urinate right away
- Weak urine flow
- Dribbling of urine
- The need to stop and start urinating several times
- Trouble starting to urinate
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Erectile dysfunction
An estimated 20 to 30 million men suffer from erectile dysfunction, yet more than 90 percent are too embarrassed to seek treatment. Not only is erectile dysfunction disruptive to a normal, healthy sexual life but it could indicate a more serious health problem. Age can be one cause but other causes could include:
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Metabolic syndrome
- High blood pressure
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Kidney or bladder stones
The development of stones in the kidneys or bladder needs the experience of a urologist to diagnose and treat them. Treatment will depend on the size, type of stone, and the length of time a person has had symptoms. There can be different treatments to choose from and a urologist will be the physician who is most up-to-date on how to treat and alleviate any problems that may arise from them.
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Vasectomy
When a man has made the decision to no longer want the capability to reproduce, a vasectomy is the logical form of permanent birth control to choose. Having a vasectomy will prevent the release of sperm when a man ejaculates. A urologist will be the best doctor to perform the procedure ensuring a safe and effective form of birth control.
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Elevated PSA
Prostate-specific antigen or PSA is a protein that is normally produced by prostate cells. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in a man’s blood. If the test comes back showing an elevated PSA, it is in a man’s best interest to have a referral to a urologist who treats this condition on a routine basis. A urologist will evaluate the reason for the high PSA and then treat the underlying condition.
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Cancer of the prostate, kidney, bladder, or testicles
Cancer found in any of these areas of the urinary tract system, need to be seen by a urologist who will be trained in knowing the latest new methods of treatments and medications to help put cancer in remission.
