Urinary tract infections are the second most common medical condition in the body. They account for around 8.3 million urologist visits annually in the U.S., including in states like Tennessee. Women are more likely than men to develop urinary tract infections (UTIs). One in five women will likely experience a UTI. Although UTIs in males are less prevalent than in women, they can be severe when they do happen.
Whether you’ve noticed urine leakage during a morning walk or experienced wetness after you sneezed, urination-related issues shouldn’t be ignored, and once they manifest, you must go for a complete medical examination by a urologist.
A urologist specializes in the urinary system that helps form, store, and eliminate urine from your body. They help treat problems in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, urethra, bladder, and adrenal glands, as well as the male reproductive system.
Whether in Tennessee or Virginia, no matter where your residence is, you can always find the best urology experts in your region who will inquire about your medical history, assess your symptoms, and perform a physical examination to diagnose the condition.
Let’s explore some reasons you should consider talking to a urologist.
1. Urine Incontinence Problems
If you’re facing urine leakage issues or the need to urinate urgently, you might be experiencing urine incontinence. It can affect anybody, but more prevalent in older adults. The good news is that you no longer have to let urinary incontinence drive your life. A urologist will treat your urine incontinence issues with medical procedures and help improve your quality of life.
All you need to do is research some of the best urologists around your region and consult the one that suits your requirements. When looking for Nashville urology care centers, we suggest you go for one that is reputable, offers affordable prices, has good ratings, and provides optimum care. Talk to a representative about the available slots and the time it takes for consultation with a doctor.
2. You Are Experiencing Pelvic Pain
Pelvic discomfort that persists is not normal and needs to be examined by a urologist. Pelvic pain can be linked to harmless conditions or may indicate a more serious pelvic organ disorder.
Interstitial cystitis is a long-term medical condition that can cause pelvic pain, bladder pain, and pressure in the bladder. The pain level may vary, ranging from mild to severe discomfort. The disorder belongs to a group of illnesses called painful bladder syndrome.
Even if you are experiencing mild pain, planning a visit to a urologist is necessary as a preventive measure.
3. You Are Experiencing Pain While Urinating
A variety of medical conditions can result in painful urination. In women, it is usually due to UTIs, while in men, some prostate conditions and urethritis are common causes. A few health conditions that can lead to painful urination include:
- Bladder inflammation (cystitis)
- Bladder stones
- Kidney infection
- Prostatitis (inflammation or infection of the prostate)
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Urethritis
Consult your urologist to help identify the causes for an accurate disease diagnosis and treatment options.
4. Urinary Retention
If you cannot voluntarily urinate or empty your bladder, you might be experiencing urinary retention. This is not an illness but a condition that may be associated with other disorders like a cystocele in females and prostate issues in males. Acute urinary retention refers to a sudden difficulty in urinating, whereas chronic urinary retention corresponds to a gradual inability to urinate.
Both men and women experience urinary retention, although males experience it more frequently, particularly as they age. Acute urinary retention affects nearly one out of ten men in their 70s and approximately one in three men over the age of 80.
5. Abnormality in Kidneys
The severity of kidney issues is often underestimated, yet these irregularities can indicate renal disease or kidney cancer. Your physician will probably send you to a urologist for specialized care if they notice anything abnormal with your kidneys. It is always important to get checked out and treated earlier because recovery from renal illness or cancer is significantly more successful in its initial stages.
6. You Have Noticed Testicular Lumps
Swellings and lumps in the testicles are common symptoms in men and can have several causes. There may be various reasons your testicles may develop a lump or become swollen. Here are a few causes:
Hydroceles (swellings due to fluid accumulation around the testicle)
Epididymo-orchitis (inflammation of the testicles)
Varicoceles (swellings due to enlarged and swollen veins within the scrotum)
Epididymal cysts (lumps due to fluid accumulation in the epididymis
Although most testicular lumps are non-cancerous, they can be a sign of testicular cancer. It is essential to consult a urologist to know if it is normal or needs immediate treatment. They will help determine the cause and recommend further examinations if required.
7. Male Infertility Problem
Male infertility is when a man has either low sperm mobility, sperm count, or both. Look out for some of the following signs of male infertility.
- Hormonal imbalances
- Erectile dysfunction
- Swelling, lump, or pain in the testicles
- Problem with ejaculation
- Less sexual desires
- Reduced body or facial hair
- Little amounts of fluid ejaculation
- Lower sperm count
- Issues with conceiving a baby.
Urologists are specialists in treating male reproductive disorders. Talk to a urologist if you experience any of the above issues and discuss your symptoms to help them diagnose your condition. Remember, getting help from an expert for your infertility problems is not something to feel embarrassed about.
8. You Have High Prostate-Specific Antigen Levels
The male prostate gland releases a protein called Protein Specific Antigen (PSA), which occurs in small quantities in their blood. However, elevated PSA levels can indicate prostate cancer or a non-cancerous disorder affecting the prostate, such as enlarged prostate or prostatitis. Your urologist may perform a test to measure PSA levels in your bloodstream, and if it is high, they will likely recommend a prostate biopsy or rectal examination to test for diseases like cancer.
9. Kidney Stones
Renal calculi, commonly called kidney stones, are hard deposits of salts and minerals that develop inside your kidneys. These stones will not cause signs until they begin moving around in your kidney and reaches into the ureter. Once the stones pass into your ureter, they may obstruct urine flow and cause your kidney to swell, resulting in pain and spasms. You may feel symptoms like sharp, severe pain in the back and side, below your ribs, fluctuating pain, painful urination, and a burning sensation while peeing.
Reach out to the urologist immediately, even if you face mild symptoms. The smaller your kidney stones, the easier to pass those out of your body naturally.
Conclusion
Although a physician may help treat patients suffering from common urinary conditions, they may recommend you consult a specialist in the relevant field if the issue persists and requires further examination and treatment. A urologist is an expert professional who deals with urinary tract disorders for both males and females, along with the male reproductive system. The urinary system encompasses kidneys, ureters, urethra, and bladder; meanwhile, the reproductive system of males includes the prostate gland, testicles, and penis. Urologists treat a range of conditions that affect these systems. Exploring the above-mentioned signs can help you know that symptoms, even mild ones, should not be ignored and learn about when you must consider consulting a urologist.
