When to See a Urologist
It’s all too often that patients are hesitant, scared or uncertain as to when to see a urologist, until a minor problem becomes a more serious condition. It’s important to be aware of certain symptoms that should be considered potentially serious, whilst other symptoms may signify a common, easily treatable condition. Here are some of the red flags that should prompt you to seek advice.
Blood in Your Urine
If you happen to see blood in your urine, you should contact a urologist immediately. While the presence of blood may be a temporary occurrence from an injury or over-exercising, it can also mean something more serious, such as a bladder infections, kidney stones, or certain. Blood in your urine typically may not be bright red; rather, you should contact your urologist if your urine takes on a dark brown, pink, or tea or soda-like color.
Can’t Control Your Bladder
Being unable to control your bladder, known as urinary incontinence, can be inconvenient and embarrassing, but also can be a symptom of a more serious underlying issue. It occurs frequently, especially in women who have given birth. Some people may be unable to control their bladder when sneezing or coughing, while some may get a sudden urge to urinate and not make it to the bathroom in time. While it is usually from an innocuous cause, it could also indicate conditions such as a urinary tract infection, urinary obstructions, or even bladder or prostate cancer, and so should be carefully investigated by a urologist.
Pain When Urinating
If you experience pain, burning or discomfort when urinating, you should seek a medical opinion. Pain when urinating has been linked to urinary tract infections, urethritis, kidney stones, STIs, cystitis, certain cancers , and more.
Pain in Your Lower Stomach or Groin
Pain in your lower stomach or groin can be severe and can indicate that you have kidney stones. Not only are kidney stones difficult to pass through the urinary tract, they may even require surgery if they are too large or too difficult to pass, or causing a urinary tract infection. Aside from this, kidney stones that are obstructing the flow of urine and are left untreated can cause permanent, irreversible damage to the kidneys, leading to kidney failure in the long run. If you’re experiencing severe pain in these areas, blood in your urine, or any other symptoms of kidney stones, you should consult with a urologist immediately.
Male Sexual Problems
It’s estimated that over 60% of men in their 60’s suffer from erectile problems, but somewhere near 90% of them are too embarrassed to consult with a doctor or receive treatment. While we understand that some conversations may be uncomfortable to have, they are crucial when it comes to your health. Erectile dysfunction, while typically associated with age, can be a red flag symptom of more severe underlying problems. Cardiovascular (heart and circulation) diseases, diabetes, prostate cancer, depression and many more conditions have been directly linked to erectile dysfunction. Erectile problems by no means reflect your masculinity or competence, but can rather be an indicator of your health. It is important to take the opportunity to make an assessment of your risk of more serious illnesses, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Blood in Your Urine
If you happen to see blood in your urine, you should contact a urologist immediately. While the presence of blood may be a temporary occurrence from an injury or over-exercising, it can also mean something more serious, such as a bladder infections, kidney stones, or certain. Blood in your urine typically may not be bright red; rather, you should contact your urologist if your urine takes on a dark brown, pink, or tea or soda-like color.
Can’t Control Your Bladder
Being unable to control your bladder, known as urinary incontinence, can be inconvenient and embarrassing, but also can be a symptom of a more serious underlying issue. It occurs frequently, especially in women who have given birth. Some people may be unable to control their bladder when sneezing or coughing, while some may get a sudden urge to urinate and not make it to the bathroom in time. While it is usually from an innocuous cause, it could also indicate conditions such as a urinary tract infection, urinary obstructions, or even bladder or prostate cancer, and so should be carefully investigated by a urologist.
Pain When Urinating
If you experience pain, burning or discomfort when urinating, you should seek a medical opinion. Pain when urinating has been linked to urinary tract infections, urethritis, kidney stones, STIs, cystitis, certain cancers , and more.
Pain in Your Lower Stomach or Groin
Pain in your lower stomach or groin can be severe and can indicate that you have kidney stones. Not only are kidney stones difficult to pass through the urinary tract, they may even require surgery if they are too large or too difficult to pass, or causing a urinary tract infection. Aside from this, kidney stones that are obstructing the flow of urine and are left untreated can cause permanent, irreversible damage to the kidneys, leading to kidney failure in the long run. If you’re experiencing severe pain in these areas, blood in your urine, or any other symptoms of kidney stones, you should consult with a urologist immediately.
Male Sexual Problems
It’s estimated that over 60% of men in their 60’s suffer from erectile problems, but somewhere near 90% of them are too embarrassed to consult with a doctor or receive treatment. While we understand that some conversations may be uncomfortable to have, they are crucial when it comes to your health. Erectile dysfunction, while typically associated with age, can be a red flag symptom of more severe underlying problems. Cardiovascular (heart and circulation) diseases, diabetes, prostate cancer, depression and many more conditions have been directly linked to erectile dysfunction. Erectile problems by no means reflect your masculinity or competence, but can rather be an indicator of your health. It is important to take the opportunity to make an assessment of your risk of more serious illnesses, such as heart attacks and strokes.