Urology
Urology is the care of the urinary and reproductive systems in men, including the kidney, prostate, bladder and related glands. Urologists provide both medical and surgical treatments for a range of conditions, from prostate cancer and kidney stones to erectile dysfunction and low testosterone.
Prostate
By age 50, the prostate gland is the size of a walnut. It is located below the bladder and surrounds the urethra (a narrow tube that carries both urine and semen and extends from the bladder to the tip of the penis). Conditions related to the prostate can include benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis and prostate cancer. There are a range of treatments for the management of these issues, including surgery with the possibility for minimally invasive options, therapies and medications.
Symptoms of these conditions can include:
- Urinary issues including increased frequency and straining
- Pain in the pelvic area, lower back or legs
- Painful ejaculation
- Weight loss
Reproductive System
Urologists treat and manage health issues related to the male reproductive system, which includes the testicles (the glands that produce testosterone). Common health concerns include low testosterone and erectile dysfunction that can affect men's sexual, physical and mental health. Cedar Park Regional Medical Center can also provide urologic care for testicular cancer and testicular torsion.
Bladder
Conditions related to bladder health range from overactive bladder and incontinence to bladder cancer. While some of these health issues could have minimal, but frustrating, symptoms such as urgency, leaking urine or constant urination, bladder cancer can cause a great deal of pain in the lower back and abdomen as well as the appearance of blood in the urine. There can be a variety of causes for these urologic conditions, so it's important to see your doctor when you notice them.
Kidney
The kidneys have an extremely important function in the body: filtering and removing waste from blood and maintaining balance and control of fluid levels. Conditions may include infections, kidney stones, chronic kidney disease or kidney cancer.
Symptoms of these conditions can be:
- Problems with urination including frequency, burning, urgency and dark or bloody urine
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal or back pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue, confusion and possible seizures
There are a variety of risk factors that can indicate a higher probability of kidney problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, family history and more.
Treatment can range from surgery and chemotherapy or radiation for kidney cancer, to medical management or dialysis for infections or kidney disease. It's important to see your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
For more information, make an appointment to speak with a urologist or visit urologyhealth.org.