What are urological diseases?
The term “urological diseases” describes a wide variety of conditions, all related to the filtering and transport of urine out of the body. These diseases can affect men, women and children of all ages.
These diseases affect very specific parts of the body. In women, they involve the urinary tract. In males, they affect the urinary tract or reproductive organs.
Overview of some of the most common urological diseases
There are a lot of urological disorders and diseases. The following are a selection of some of the diseases identified as common by the American Urological Association (AUAF) Foundation.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate. It is an increase in the size of the prostate gland. BPH is very common in older men. It is not directly related to prostate cancer.
The symptoms of BPH are caused by the pressure that a larger prostate can put on the urethra. The urethra is the narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Men with BPH may experience a frequent urge to urinate. They may also have a weak stream of urine when they do this and a feeling that the bladder isn't empty after urinating. Your doctor may choose to control this condition or prescribe medications such as alpha-blockers for treatment. Serious cases can be treated with surgery.
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a loss of bladder control. It results in an unwanted leak of urine. This condition can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it's far from uncommon. According to the AUAF, more than 15 million people in the United States suffer from incontinence.
There are several things that can cause incontinence. Some of the most common causes include:
— diabetes
— pregnancy or childbirth
— overactive bladder
— prostate enlargement
— weak bladder muscles
— weak sphincter muscles (muscles that support the urethra)
— urinary tract infections
— diseases such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis
— spinal cord injury
— severe constipation
In some cases, lifestyle changes, such as controlling fluid intake, may be enough to address the problem. If these approaches prove ineffective, your doctor may suggest surgery to correct the underlying cause.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
UTIs are the result of pathogenic bacteria or viruses that invade the urinary tract and cause infections. They are much more common in women, although men can get them too. According to the AUAF, approximately 40 percent of women and 12 percent of men will have a urinary tract infection that causes noticeable symptoms at some point in their lives. A burning sensation when you urinate is one of the symptoms of a UTI. Others include a frequent urge to urinate and a feeling that the bladder isn't completely empty after urinating. Antibiotics can usually eliminate most urinary tract infections within five to seven days.
Kidney and ureteral stones
Stones form in the kidneys when there are crystals in the urine and small particles surround and accumulate these crystals. Ureteral stones are those that move from the kidney to the ureter (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder).
These stones can block the flow of urine and cause a significant amount of pain. Many people end up expelling small stones from the body without medical help, but larger stones can cause a blockage, which is problematic.
In some cases, medical or surgical procedures may be necessary to remove large stones. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (LEOC) is one of the most commonly used techniques. The procedure involves using sound waves to break stones into smaller pieces so they can more easily leave the body.
Other Common Urological Conditions
Some other common urological conditions include:
— Prostate cancer
— bladder cancer
— bladder prolapse
— hematuria (blood in the urine)
— erectile dysfunction (ED)
— interstitial cystitis (also called painful bladder syndrome)
— overactive bladder
— prostatitis (swelling of the prostate)
Source: www.healthline.com
