An adult’s urological system is slightly different from that in kids of the same sex. This is because many changes happen throughout your body – such as to your bladder and kidneys – as you get older and become an adult. Plus, older men may experience an enlarged prostate, which can also cause certain urinary issues.
Because urological issues are different at different ages, they also have different solutions. Let’s talk about some of the common urological diseases at various ages, how your urologist may treat these issues, and where you can go in Phoenix and Gilbert for excellent urology care and a focus on men’s health.
Pediatric Urological Diseases and Conditions
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
UTI is somewhat common in both adults and children. It is more common in boys during early childhood and in girls during their late childhood.
The symptoms of a UTI include painful urination, nausea-like pain, and fever. Your urologist will prescribe medication to treat this condition.
Undescended Testicle
This condition is also called cryptorchidism, and it is when a testicle fails to descend from your baby boy’s abdomen into the scrotum. It happens rarely, but when it does, it tends to occur in premature male babies.
Surgery is the only treatment option if your child’s testicles do not drop after three months of age. Surgery to treat undescended testis is known as orchiopexy.
Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)
VUR is common in infants and young children. During VUR, the urine flows back upward from the bladder into a ureter, and sometimes all the way up to the kidneys. This happens when the flap valves do not work, allowing urine to flow backward – and this tends to result in an infection.
The nonsurgical treatment involves checking your child’s urinating habits and encouraging the child to use the restroom. Surgical treatment involves fixing the flap valve.
Urological Diseases and Health Issues in Adults
Benign Prostatatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
BPH is a men’s health condition in which your prostate becomes enlarged. Benign prostatatic hyperplasia is common in older men and is not connected to prostate cancer.
Medications such as alpha-blockers are used to treat it. Severe cases of BPH warrant surgery to reduce the size of the prostate gland.
Urinary Incontinence
Unwanted urine leakage and uncontrolled urine flow is called urinary incontinence. There could be many causes of urinary incontinence, including diabetes, pregnancy, weak bladder, spinal cord injury, and weak sphincter muscle.
Lifestyle changes can oftentimes help to address the problem. Your urologist may also recommend surgery to correct the underlying cause of the issue.
Kidney Stones
Kidney stones block the path of urine flow, resulting in intense pain in the back and one side of your body. If a kidney stone is so large that it is causing searing pain, it will likely require medical treatment. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a noninvasive technique that can be used to break and remove kidney stones.
Urological Disease Treatment in Phoenix and Gilbert, AZ
If you need an evaluation and possible treatment by a skilled and reliable urologist, Dr. Desi Avila is here for you. Dr. Avila is a board-certified, experienced, and highly qualified urologist who can provide comprehensive urological care for your pelvic pain, urinary problems, or sexual health issues in men.
To arrange a consultation with Dr. Avila, call us today at (480) 961-2323 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your urology team!
