Seeing a urologist should be on your to-do list
As guys, it’s easy to put off seeing your doctor, in particular, your urologist. Below you will find 5 instances that may require making an appointment sooner than expected to see a urologist.
Elevated PSA or Abnormal DRE
In the United States, prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among men, according to the National Institutes of Health. It’s typically a slow-progressing malignancy without significant symptoms until the condition is fairly advanced.
Current recommendations are a combined PSA (prostate-specific antigen) and DRE (digital rectal examination) starting at age 50 and continuing until age 75 in most instances. For high-risk patients, such as patients with a family history of prostate cancer or those of African-American descent, screening should begin earlier. An elevated PSA or an abnormal DRE doesn’t necessarily mean you harbor prostate cancer, but these results deserve discussion with your Urologist.
Hematuria (Blood in the Urine)
Hematuria or blood in the urine can be caused by a number of benign conditions such as infections, stones, and trauma. It can also be present in a number of malignancies, in particular, cancers of the urinary tract. The risk of malignancy is generally low, however, hematuria should never be ignored.
Discuss with your urologist if it’s necessary to undergo a dedicated work-up of your urinary tract, which may include upper tract imaging, direct visual inspection of your bladder, and urinary markers.
Kidney Stones
We often associate kidney stones with the typical picture of renal colic or severe pain in the lower side of the back that may radiate to the groin or testicles. They can also manifest with irritative urinary symptoms, urinary tract infections, or blood in the urine, among other signs and symptoms. Left untreated, stones can cause permanent and lasting damage to the kidneys.
One of the biggest risk factors for kidney stones is your diet. Increasing the amount of fluid intake, reducing sodium, and minimizing animal protein can greatly reduce their occurrence.
An Enlarged Prostate
Enlarged prostate is common among men, with increasing prevalence among older men. The severity of symptoms of an enlarged prostate, however, can vary. These symptoms are often “obstructive,” characterized by a weak force of stream, straining, and hesitancy, due to the impediment to bladder emptying. Over time, the bladder itself may change, becoming thick-walled, less compliant, or overactive with a lower capacity, resulting in the “irritative” symptoms of urinary frequency and urgency.
We have a number of treatment options ranging from behavioral modifications to oral medications and surgical procedures. Contact your urologist to discuss further if your urinary symptoms are affecting your quality of life.
A Vasectomy
A vasectomy is a surgical procedure for male sterilization that can be performed with local or general anesthesia. It involves the sealing or cutting of the vas deferens from each testicle to prevent sperm from mixing with your semen. It is considered a safe and permanent form of birth control. Your urologist can provide expert advice on the procedure and what to expect.
Listed are just five instances where it may be convenient to set up an appointment with your urologist. If you have questions or concerns regarding your urinary tract or reproductive health, it might also be a good time to schedule an appointment with one of our Houston Metro Urology providers.
