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Urology is a branch of medicine that deals with the urinary system of men and women. Many people are afraid of visiting a urologist or even resign from it due to the specific, for some embarrassing nature of this field. This fear is unfounded, however, as urinary health is very important to the daily comfort and good general health of every human being. For this reason, today we explain the most important issues related to this field and suggest what symptoms may require a visit to the urologist.
Why is urology important?
The importance of the human urinary system is primarily the discharge of unnecessary metabolic products from the body. In this way, all toxins and substances with a concentration exceeding the normal needs of the body are removed. Moreover, the urinary system is directly related to the reproductive system – it turns out that in the development of the fetus, the urinary and sexual systems are formed from a single primordia, as a result of which we speak professionally about the genitourinary system.
- What can green urine testify to?
Due to its specificity, the genitourinary system is highly susceptible to infections – especially in women, the intimate area is characterized by high humidity and easy access for bacteria, which makes it easy for them to multiply.
Urology also deals with various dysfunctions of the genitourinary system in men. They are often a source of great discomfort in everyday life, both physical and mental, as many of them seriously hinder or prevent a normal sex life.
Urology – diseases that a urologist deals with
The urologist is competent to treat the following diseases:
- inflammation within the male and female genital organs,
- inflammation of the urinary tract,
- diseases of male external genitalia, including phimosis, paraphimosis, cryptorchidism or testicular hydrocele,
- bladder malfunction (urine leakage or problems with its excretion),
- erectile dysfunction,
- kidney stones,
- benign prostatic hyperplasia,
- varicose veins,
- cancers of the prostate, testes, kidneys and bladder. The urologist can deal with their milder forms on their own, the more serious ones require the intervention of oncology, but a urological consultation is always a step towards the correct diagnosis.
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Urology – symptoms that require urological consultation
You should see a urologist if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- urinary incontinence
- abnormalities in urine output: hematuria, proteinuria, pus in the urine, foam or dark urine,
- pain when urinating,
- not urinating too much or urinating more than seven times a day,
- pressure on the bladder,
- pain or swelling in the testicles
- lesions of the genital organs and the surrounding area: pain, itching, burning, redness, swelling,
- lower back pains.
First of all, a urological visit requires a referral from a family doctor, unless we use the services of private clinics. Regardless of the symptoms with which we go to the urologist, it is worth taking care of the preparation of all kinds of up-to-date results of blood, urine, ultrasound and the like.
A list of medications taken by the patient, including those taken until recently, will also be very useful for the physician. Herbal preparations should also be on this list. It is also important to properly care for the hygiene of intimate areas so that their examination is as little embarrassing as possible.
The urologist first conducts an interview with the patient. Sometimes the first visit ends at this stage – for example, in the treatment of urinary incontinence, the patient receives a special questionnaire to fill in, which is the documentation of urination during a designated period of time.
However, it is worth being aware that the most common method of conducting urological examination is palpation, i.e. by detecting organ changes by touch. This means that it can be psychologically quite difficult for many people.
The most problematic in this respect is the examination of the prostate, because the only way to find changes within this organ is per rectal examination, i.e. through the anus. It lasts a very short time, all urological tests are performed by people with many years of education in this field, and the correct diagnosis is crucial for the treatment of many unpleasant and potentially dangerous diseases.
- What does frequent urination show?
In addition to the palpation and rectal examination, the urologist can also perform:
- Ultrasound,
- urodynamic examination,
- urography,
- cystoscopy.
A pediatric urologist deals with the problems of the urinary system of boys and girls. A visit to a doctor is similar to that for adults. Here, however, the urologist first talks to the parents and then proceeds to examine the child. In the office, he can perform an ultrasound, if it is necessary.
- Why should bedwetting in children not be underestimated?
It is very important to prepare your toddler for the visit as he or she may feel anxious about going to the doctor. It’s best to talk to your child, explaining who the urologist is and why we need to see him or her. As in the case of adults, we will need a referral from a family doctor for a visit to a pediatric urologist reimbursed by the National Health Fund. A referral is not required in a private clinic.