Are you planning to meet a urologist? Or did someone suggest that you meet one for a medical condition you’ve been experiencing? It’s better to understand why and when you might need to see a urologist. Let’s first understand who is a urologist? He/she is a medical specialist who can diagnose or treat the urinary tract as well as male reproductive diseases.
A healthy urinary tract is important as it contributes to an individual’s overall physical well-being. If you are scouting for a urologist in Singapore, you can experience a classic treatment at top urological centers. The urinary system comprises the kidneys as well which has a prominent role in regulating the body’s metabolic waste build-up, discarding excess fluids, maintaining the electrolyte balance of your body, and doing much more.
Urinary health cannot be taken leniently and this is where a urologist can help.
Conditions that your urologist can treat
Now that you know who a urologist is, let’s take a look at the conditions they can treat. So, a medical professional specialized in this area can treat a range of diseases such as kidney stones and that in the ureters and bladder.
They can also diagnose and prescribe medication for a score of urinary infections. Some specialists can also treat cancer of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and prostate. Some of the male reproductive organ dysfunctions that urologists can treat include sexual dysfunction, penile disorders such as stiff foreskin, Peyronie’s disease as well as cancer of the testicles or penis. Specialists in female urology usually treat urinary issues occurring in female patients.
What to Expect When Meeting an Urologist
If you are confused as to whether you should consult a urologist or a nephrologist, here’s the difference in what each of these practitioners is skilled at. The former is a surgeon while the latter is a physician. This means that nephrologists, also known as renal physicians, are specialists in internal medicine and treat kidney diseases and other renal conditions. It’s beneficial for patients when both disciplines work in tandem.
If you have developed symptoms of kidney stones, enlarged prostate, male subfertility problems, or any other urinary issues, you can go to your urologist. You can read more on enlarged prostate at https://www.healthline.com/health/enlarged-prostate
Some common conditions when you might need to see a urologist include spotting of blood in urine, problems passing urine, pain while urinating, urinary tract stones, prostate hypertrophy, prostate cancer, sexual dysfunctions, and testosterone deficiency.
The medical specialist upon examining your condition might suggest a few tests to be taken. Uroflowmetry is a common test that is recommended if you show symptoms of slow, weak urination or difficulty in urinating. This test measures the speed of urination to gauge if your urethra or prostrate is experiencing any blockage. Sometimes this test is suggested to patients with a weak bladder as well.
The next stage of evaluation that’s recommended is urodynamics. This test can measure the function of the bladder concerning its ability to hold urine, speed of the flow, or any other urine and bladder related complications.
Simultaneously, you could be asked to undergo ultrasound scans and if need be, your doctor could ask you to take an MRI or CT scan as well. In some cases, a cystoscopy can also be advised. This involves using a camera to survey the urethra, prostate, and bladder.
Treatments performed by urologists
So when you visit a urology clinic, you’ll first be physically examined and then suggested the necessary tests followed with a treatment plan. You can always discuss the course of treatment in detail with your doctor. If he/she finds it necessary, they will ask you to take some advanced tests to determine the issue and treat it accordingly.
Once the diagnosis is successful, you can expect the medical specialist in this department to offer the necessary treatment. Depending on the identified condition and anomaly, a patient could be suggested to undergo a relevant surgery and necessary medication.
The surgeries usually performed include laparoscopic surgery, microsurgical surgeries, and endoscopic surgery. Sometimes shockwave treatments such as ESWL are also recommended to treat stones, erectile dysfunction, and lingering pelvic pain.
It is always best to be watchful of your symptoms and visit a medical professional who is certified to treat urological disorders. Find the best doctors in your city; here’s wishing all our readers good health!