Urology is one of the components of men's health care. This medical speciality focuses on the urinary tract system, which encompasses the system responsible for creating and removing urine from the body — the kidneys, bladder, ureter, urethra, and the reproductive system of men.
Most men will at some point in their lives have a urological problem as a result of ageing, injury or birth defect. When such a problem comes up, it becomes important for men to consult a urologist. Urologist doctors have specialized knowledge and skill regarding problems of the urinary tract and the reproductive organs.
Urology problems that are faced by men
- Kidney stones
- Prostate enlargement
- Erectile dysfunction
- Interstitial cystitis
- Kidney diseases
- Urinary tract infections
- Infertility
- Cancers of the bladder, kidneys, penis, testicles, and adrenal and prostate glands
Symptoms to never ignore
One should never ignore any of the following symptoms — make an appointment with your urologist.
- Lower abdominal pain
- Blood in urine
- Difficulty in urinating
- Decreased sexual desire
- Infertility
- Pain while urinating
Treatments for male urology problems
Many urological conditions can be treated by a slight change in lifestyle, like consuming less salt and drinking more water. If the condition can't be treated with lifestyle change, the treatments below can help the patient.
- Oral medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, and symptom-relieving drugs
- Minimally invasive surgical procedures
- Laser therapies used to treat conditions that include kidney stones
- Reconstructive urologic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Shock wave lithotripsy — shock waves are used to break up the kidney stones into very tiny pieces
Steps to take for good urology health
Focus on your health, especially as you age, as most men face urology problems in older age. Many urology conditions can simply be avoided by a slight change in lifestyle. Following are some:
- Quit smoking. Smoking is a leading contributor to many of men's health issues, including cardiovascular disease and conditions such as bladder cancer.
- Eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, and low in saturated fats and low-GI carbs.
- Get more exercise. From walking and swimming to running and biking, get moving a little bit every day.
- Stay hydrated and limit salt. Excessive salt intake contributes to kidney stones.
Dr Shagun Sikka
M.S, M.Ch. (Urologist and Transplant Surgeon) · Sikka Hospital, Jalandhar