Understanding Common Urological Conditions

Understanding Common Urological Conditions

Introduction

The urinary system is one of the most important functional systems that manage the fluid and nutrient balance in our body. It manages, regulates, and eliminates the waste from the body through the bladder, ureters, urethra, and kidneys.

While performing various functions, your urinary system might encounter some hiccups as well. These problems may occur in anyone, with no disparity to any gender, race, ethnicity, or age. Though it is hard to understand and prevent every disease, here are a few common urological conditions you should know about.

Stress Incontinence

This is a form of bladder control issue where one cannot hold or release urine comfortably. Urinary Incontinence causes one to leak urine accidentally.

In most cases, it is first identified when a person feels the urge to urinate too frequently, so much that it disrupts everyday activities. This condition can be easily diagnosed with a detailed history and a physical exam. Another important symptom is nocturia, which is increased nighttime urination.

Stress incontinence is generally more common in females due to factors like childbirth, menopause, and other uterine conditions that may affect the bladder. On the other hand, aging and prostate issues remain the major causes in men.

Here are a few ways to prevent urinary Incontinence:

• 1. Pelvic floor exercises and Kegels to strengthen.
• 2. Maintaining recommended BMI.
• 3. Keeping chronic illnesses under control.
• 4. Practicing regular bathroom timings to train the bladder.
• 5. Avoiding caffeine, alcohol, and other bladder irritants.

Bladder Infections

A bladder infection is often a result of bacterial growth. If not identified and treated on time, an infection of the bladder can result in a lot of other common urinary problems, including kidney infection.

Common symptoms of a bladder infection are a burning sensation while urinating, frequent urges, and discomfort while passing urine. It could also change the appearance of your urine, especially when associated with a urinary tract infection.

Infections in the urinary tract can be easily diagnosed through some tests and treated immediately as well. A simple course of antibiotics can be effective, with a speedy recovery. However, it is very important to complete the entire course of antibiotics, and not stop them when your symptoms are better.

Overactive bladder

When the bladder is not able to hold urine, it is said to be an overactive bladder. In such conditions, one voids urine involuntarily due to an intense urge to urinate. Often, the muscles supporting your bladder start contracting involuntarily. An overactive bladder may be a result of other underlying conditions like tumors, stones, diabetes, UTIs, or neurological issues.

Common symptoms of an overactive bladder include frequent urination, often more than 8 times within 24 hours, increased urgency, urge incontinence, and nocturia. An OAB can be treated by bladder training exercises, nerve stimulation therapy, and botox injections to the bladder muscles to reduce muscle contraction.
To reduce the chances of developing an overactive bladder, here are a few things you can do:

• 1. Pelvic floor exercises
• 2. Managing adequate fluid intake, not in excess.
• 3. Limit caffeine and alcohol
• 4. Maintain good BMI
• 5. Contact the urologist with the earliest sign

Kidney Stones

These are deposits made of minerals and salts forming inside the kidneys. Kidney stones can form anywhere in the urinary tract.

Common causes of urinary stones include diet, excess body weight, and certain medications. Lack of water is also a major precipitating factor. Primary symptoms of kidney stones include back pain, radiating to the lower abdomen and groin, painful urination, and discolored urine, which may be dark red to brown.

While small stones can be cleared by simply drinking a lot of water, some cases might require medical therapy or procedures to remove the stone.

Commonly used procedures to help clear stones include radio-frequency ablation and thermal ablation techniques, where high-frequency probes are used to disintegrate the stones. Sometimes, very large stones may require surgical removal from the urinary tract as a last resort.

Here are a few tips to follow to reduce the chances of developing kidney stones:

• 1. Drink enough water.
• 2. Reduce consumption of oxalate-rich foods.
• 3. Limit salt and animal protein intake.
• 4. Avoid taking calcium supplements. Try acquiring them from your meals instead.

Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common urologic condition, more commonly occurring in women. The main symptom here is the frequent need to urinate and a burning sensation while urinating.

It is said that over 60 percent of women have experienced UTI at some point in life. Here are a few ways to reduce the chances of getting UTI:

• 1. Avoid any strong irritants like fragrant sanitary pads, tampons, etc.
• 2. Urinate after sexual intercourse.
• 3. Check with your OBGYN at the earliest sign
• 4. Clean and dry the intimate area after using the toilet

Since UTIs can be caused by a wide range of organisms, your doctor might request for a urine culture to be done, according to which your antibiotic course may be prescribed.

UTIs are best treated when identified at the earliest. By doing so, you avoid a lot of discomfort and also protect yourself from further spread of infection. An untreated UTI can lead to severe conditions, such as cystitis, cervicitis, etc.

FAQs

Q1. What happens if you delay treating a urological condition?

Ans. In urological conditions occurring as a result of bacteria or other pathogens, there is a high risk of infection spread. This complicates the treatment protocol massively when delayed for a long time as it allows the colonies to multiply greatly.

In conditions affecting the bladder muscles and nerve supply, there could be disturbances to the other organs in the proximity, resulting in several complications.

Q2. What are the common conditions of the prostate? How are they important to the urologist?

Ans. The three most common conditions of the prostate include prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer. All three of these conditions involve an enlarged prostate, which puts pressure on the bladder, leading to a multitude of urinary issues like pain or burning while urinating, difficulty maintaining a stream of urine, or increased frequency of urinating.