Urologists are doctors who specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of diseases affecting the urinary tract and male reproductive system.
They work closely with other healthcare professionals such as nephrologists, endocrinologists and gynecologists.
After completing their general degree in medicine urologist online, they undergo further training and receive board certification. The board certification allows them to practice in the United States.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can happen anywhere in the urinary system — the urethra, bladder, and ureters. They are often caused by bacteria from the bowel or vagina.
UTIs usually clear up on their own with treatment from a health care professional. However, they can also lead to serious complications.
Infections in the kidneys are more serious and can cause lasting damage if they aren’t treated. In addition, people who have certain medical conditions or take drugs that suppress the immune system are more likely to develop a UTI than others.
In general, health care professionals use a person’s medical history, a physical exam, and tests to diagnose UTIs. These include a urinalysis, microscopic examination of urine, and a urine culture to help diagnose the infection.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells in the bladder lining grow and multiply out of control. They can spread to other parts of the body.
Urologists diagnose bladder cancer by going through a patient’s health history and checking for physical symptoms. They may also take a urine sample.
Doctors also use tests such as a CT scan and MRI to see what is happening inside the bladder and nearby organs. They can also use a chest x-ray to show where the cancer has spread to (lymph nodes, lung, liver, and bone).
Bladder cancer is usually treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is used to destroy cancer cells or shrink tumors, allowing surgeons to perform less invasive surgeries.
Kidney Stones
A kidney stone is a hard deposit that forms in your kidney. They are made of calcium or waste products such as uric acid that stick to the walls of your kidney and bladder.
Most kidney stones pass through your body on their own within three to six weeks, without needing treatment or causing lasting damage. However, some stones are difficult to pass and may need to be removed by a urologist.
When a stone is too big to pass, your urologist may use a procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy. This involves making a small incision to insert a tube into your kidney and disintegrating the stone with ultrasound probes, then suctioning it out so you don’t have to pass any pieces.
Your urologist may also use procedures like cystoscopy and ureteroscopy to see the lining of your bladder and ureters to find and remove kidney stones or break them up into smaller pieces. These techniques often do not require surgery but are performed in a hospital with anesthesia so you can go home the same day.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer that grows in the prostate gland. It’s usually highly curable, and many men who are diagnosed early go on to live normal lives for years after treatment.
A urologist can treat prostate cancer using a range of treatments that are aimed at killing or slowing the growth of the cancer. These may include hormone therapy (androgen deprivation therapy or ADT), chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation and surgery to remove the prostate.
The treatment you get depends on a few factors, including your overall health and how fast your cancer is growing. You also need to consider any side effects you might have from your treatment and how they may affect your life.
Conclusion
Your urologist will decide the best treatment for you, taking into account your overall health and the type of prostate cancer that you have. You’ll need to tell your urologist if you have any side effects from your treatment.
