First of all, it’s important to know that if you have any problem in your urinary tract, you should see a urologist. A urologist is a doctor who treats diseases related to the urinary system and the male reproductive system. But still, many men avoid going to a urologist because of shame, fear or lack of awareness even though it's important for their health.
Who are urologists and what do they do?
Urologists are doctors who treat diseases of the organs connected to the urinary tract. Such as kidney, ureter, bladder, prostate, penis and testicles. They treat these problems:
- Frequent urination or burning sensation while passing urine. This is also called UTI (Urinary Tract Infection).
- Kidney stones
- Inability to control urine
- Lack of erection in penis
- Prostate cancer
Some urologists are also experts in children, cancer or male reproductive diseases. They treat them with medicines or surgery as per the need.
When should one visit a urologist?
In fact, visiting a urologist regularly can keep diseases at bay. However, if the following problems have been going on for a long time, then it becomes necessary to visit a urologist. Such as-
- Prostate gland health: Problems related to the prostate gland become common with age. In such a situation, regular tests like prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests can help in early detection of prostate cancer, which can also lead to early treatment. Note- The prostate gland is located just below the bladder. It surrounds the upper part of the tube that carries urine out of the bladder, which is called the urethra. The prostate gland adds fluid to the semen, which provides nutrition and protection to the sperm.
- Lack of erection in the penis: There can be many reasons for lack of erection in the penis but sometimes it can also be due to problems in the urinary tract. Sometimes it can also be an early sign of heart disease, diabetes or hormonal imbalance. In such a situation, a urologist can help in identifying the root cause.
- Infertility and hormonal health: The problem of infertility in men can also be due to hormonal imbalance. In such a case, the urologist checks the quality of sperm and the functioning of hormones.
- Kidney stones and UTI: Urinary tract problems can also occur because of kidney stones or urinary tract infection but only a doctor can give accurate information about this. If a man has severe back pain, blood in urine or frequent urge of urination, then these can be symptoms of kidney stones or infection. In such a case, one should immediately consult a urologist.
- Routine checkup: Sometimes, even if any kind of problem is not felt externally, one should still contact a urologist once a month or once a year as per convenience because with increasing age, many problems can occur.
However, it is better to consult a dermatologist for skin related problems. At the same time, for problems related to Sexually Transmitted Diseases or Sexually Transmitted Infections, you should first consult your primary care physician, sexual health clinic or a doctor specializing in genitourinary medicine.
How to maintain your urinary health
If some habits are included in the routine, then you can avoid many problems. For this, the following measures can be considered-
- Drink enough water: Drinking enough water removes toxins from the body, which reduces the risk of infection and kidney stones.
- Eat a balanced diet: It can be beneficial to include protein-rich foods in your diet. For this, green vegetables and fruits can be consumed. Research shows that lycopene and zinc found in tomatoes can have a positive effect on prostate health.
- Physical activity: Regular exercise or other physical activity can reduce the risk of diseases. This can keep weight under control and improve blood circulation, which is important for urinary function.
- Reduce or avoid smoking and alcohol consumption: Both of these can negatively affect blood flow, causing erectile dysfunction and increasing the risk of bladder cancer.
- Make sure to get regular check-ups done: This will help in detecting any problem in time, which increases the chances of getting healthy.
Men should not ignore their urinary and reproductive health. It is important to visit a urologist regularly so that any serious disease can be detected early and treatment can begin. Just like cardiologists take care of the heart, urologists take care of urinary and reproductive health. Paying attention to this kind of health is important for a long and good life.
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