There is a whole medical field focused on the health of the urinary and male reproductive system, called urology. Urology focuses on the care of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, the prostate gland, and your reproductive health. Urologists can diagnose, treat, and monitor disorders of the urinary tract and the external genital organs, which can include kidneys, ureter, urethra, bladder, and prostate issues.
While there is no recommended age for a urologist visit, based on most medical standards, people are not typically referred to a urologist based on their age alone. Simply, go to your urologist if you have the following:
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Urinary incontinence; overactive bladder
- Pain or blood during urination
- Interstitial cystitis
- Prostatitis
- Enlarged prostate
- Kidney stones
- Male and female infertility
- Sexual dysfunction (male or female)
- Cancers throughout the urinary tract (kidney, bladder, prostate, and testicular cancers)
While urology concerns can be a sensitive subject, they are definitely important and need to be addressed as soon as possible. Here are some interesting, and unexpected facts about urology that you may not know about.
1. Pomegranate juice can help fight the onset of prostate cancer: According to research studies, drinking a glass of pomegranate juice on a regular basis could help prevent prostate cancer from developing, or reoccurring. Researchers found that the men who drank pomegranate juice experienced a slower progression of prostate cancer, meaning their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were low and at an appropriate level, showing no signs of prostate cancer. More research is necessary to determine if pomegranate juice is an effective prostate cancer preventive agent, but it definitely has been shown to lower PSA levels.
2. Erectile Dysfunction is associated with sleep apnea: Erectile dysfunction is linked to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may significantly affect erectile function. After screening for age and co-morbidities (diabetes, obesity), all risk factors of erectile dysfunction, researchers found that patients with ED were twice more likely to have OSA.
3. Obesity is linked to an increased risk of kidney stones: Research shows that individuals who are obese (Body Mass Index over 30) are twice as likely compared to normal weight individuals to suffer from kidney stones. Kidney stones are mineral deposits that form and solidify in the urinary tract, and are often painful as they pass through. Kidney stones that are too large to pass through will require surgery to remove.
Clear communication with your urologist is one of the key factors to a successful treatment outcome. Here at Ironwood Urology, we encourage our clients to prepare a set of questions before their consultation, so they can get all the information they need for a successful outcome.
While urology concerns can be a sensitive subject, they are definitely important and need to be addressed as soon as possible. If you would like more information about urology or have any further questions or concerns, call Ironwood Urology at (480) 961-2323 to request an appointment with Dr. Desi Avila, or request an appointment online.
