Why Would You Need to See a Urologist

The urinary system is your body’s way of getting rid of urine. If there is something wrong with your urinary system, you may need to see a urologist. A urologist is a doctor trained and certified in treating issues with the many components of the male and female urinary systems and male reproductive organs.

Urologists treat a wide range of urological issues, including problems with the bladder, kidneys or urethra. If you are a man experiencing issues with your reproductive organs—penis, testes, scrotum, and prostate—it is a urologist you will need to see. And for women, issues with the bladder and pelvis are reasons to visit this kind of specialist.

Common bladder problems that send patients to the urologist are kidney blockages, kidney stones, and urinary tract infections (UTIs.) Treatment for these issues vary from patient to patient. For instance, some patients might be able to pass a kidney stone by drinking water and moving around to dislodge it, while others may need a more advanced treatment like a high frequency ultrasound, which is an ultrasound focused on the stone to break it down into smaller, easily passable pieces, similar to sand.

For men’s reproductive health, urologists can treat Erectile Dysfunction (ED). In most cases, this condition is easily treated with oral medication, though in some patients injection therapy may be necessary. Prostate cancer, the most common cancer that affects men, is another reason that men seek out a urologist for treatment. Again, for this issue, treatment varies by diagnosis. While some men’s prostate cancer can be monitored and treated with active surveillance, others may need surgery or chemotherapy depending on the aggressiveness of the cancer.

Women are more likely to see a urologist for bladder problems, often for changes in urination after pregnancy. Pelvic organ prolapse is another potential medical issue for women. Usually caused by age, this is when either the uterus or bladder begins to drop and press into the vagina. A urologist can treat this condition to relieve the discomfort and pain it causes.

Residents of Florida have access to a leading center for the medical specialization of urology with locations throughout the state. The Advanced Urology Institute is an exceptional team of medical professionals who treat their patients’ urological issues with compassion and a commitment to the highest quality care. For more information, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

Fort Myers Office: Working Together For You

Collaboration between medical staff and patients is one of the most important aspects of medical care. Achieving successful outcomes happens when everyone involved works together. Medical offices that create spaces for this to happen are laying the groundwork for the best treatment possible. In describing the medical office he works in, Luis Camacho PA says, “Patients feel they are in a good atmosphere, where they can be treated respectfully.” A place like this is where patients and staff can work together.

Urology offices, like other medical offices, benefit from this collaboration. Each patient has unique needs based on their ailment, medical history, age, and many other factors. In a comfortable atmosphere, patients who feel at ease describing their medical issues can give urologist a clearer picture of their patients’ unique situations and the best approach to treatment. Whether the patient is suffering from problems with their prostate, kidneys, urinary track, erectile dysfunction, or any other issue, working together helps lead to a better outcome.

Luis Camacho PA of Fort Myers, FLFor instance, many men suffer from the negative side effects of an enlarging prostate as they age, and yet the best treatment for this is not the same for every patient. For some, diet and lifestyle adjustments may be all they need to treat their side effects, while some may need medication as well. For men with a more serious issue, their urologist may want to perform a transurethral resection of the prostate. For this procedure, a small device is used to trim away excess tissue from the prostate to shrink its size. There are other options, but what is important is tracking progress with your urologist.

Another common issue that patients and urologists work together on is treating kidney stones. Treatment will be determined by the size of the kidney stones, patient’s health, and pain level. If possible, the urologist may recommend non-invasive options like shock wave lithotripsy where water waves are directed at the stone, breaking it up into small pieces like sand that are easier to pass. For larger, more stubborn stones, the urologist may have to use an invasive option. An example of this would be making a small incision in the patient and inserting a scope to break up the stones.

No matter the issue that brings a patient into a urologist’s office, collaboration between patient and doctor is essential. A comfortable atmosphere, free of judgment, language barriers, or miscommunication is the best start to treatment. The Advance Urology Institute in Fort Myers understands the importance of creating this kind of atmosphere and does so every day.

Immunotherapy for Cancer

Immunotherapy

Cancer comes in many forms and choosing the right treatment options depends heavily on the patient, their health, and the type of cancer present. For patients with metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread to other parts of the body from where it started), chemotherapy has been a long-standing choice. However, for some patients, immunotherapy is the more effective treatment with fewer side effects.

Immunotherapy works by working with the patient’s body. The human body is designed to fight against infections and diseases, including cancer cells that grow and spread unchecked as they avoid the body’s natural defenses. Immunotherapy boosts the natural immune system, making it more effective in fighting cancer cells. It helps the body identify which cells should be left alone and which cells are cancerous and need to be attacked and eradicated. Immunotherapy utilizes the immune system to better recognize and target cancer cells, even after treatment has ended.

Dr. Amar Rava of Palm Harbor, FL l discusses ImmunotherapyOne of the biggest benefits of immunotherapy is its less severe side effects. Chemotherapy is known for its harsh side effects that can be devastating to patients. Side effects such as severe fatigue, hair loss, nausea and vomiting diminish quality of life for cancer patients. While immunotherapy is not without its side effects, most patients find that muscle aches, shortness of breath and headaches are easier to endure.

Immunotherapy can be used to treat many types of cancers. Urologists have been using it to treat bladder and prostate cancers, and typically for patients who have asymptomatic, castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Having more treatment options for prostate cancer—the most common form of cancer found in men—means a successful outcome is more likely.

Immunotherapy is less toxic than chemotherapy and its less intense side effects allow for a better quality of life for patients with prostate and bladder cancer. According to Dr. Amar J. Patel, Board Certified Urologist, immunotherapy is also shown to increase life expectancy for cancer patients by up to three months. Advance Urology Institute achieves better outcomes for patients by utilizing all of the tools available in the fight against cancer, including the patient’s very own immune systems. For more information about immunotherapy, visit the Advanced Urology Institute website.

Should You Be Screened for Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a common cancer that affects the walnut-shaped male prostate gland. As with most cancers, early detection is an important part of any successful treatment. The most common way prostate cancer is detected is through prostate cancer screenings during a patient’s appointment with a urologist. According to Dr. Amar Raval, “Screenings are important, along with a digital rectal exam, because prostate cancer continues to be the number one cancer found in men.”

Should you be screened for prostate cancer? If you can answer yes to one or more of the following conditions, then you may need to be screened:

• If you are between the ages of 55 and 69.
• If there is a history of prostate cancer in your family.
• If you are African-American.
• If you have a pre-existing medical condition that makes treatment difficult.

Dr. Amar Raval of Palm Harbor, FLThese factors are known to increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, and it is recommended that someone who has one or more of these conditions is screened at least once a year.

There are two main types of prostate cancer screening tests that a patient may receive. The most common is a digital rectal examination (DRE). For this exam, the health care provider puts on a glove and inserts a finger into the patient’s rectum to feel for any abnormalities on the prostate that can be attributed to cancer. The other screening is a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. This blood test checks the PSA level in the blood, as someone with prostate cancer will have an elevated PSA level.

If one of these tests leads to a prostate cancer diagnosis, the urologist will want to identify what kind of prostate cancer it is in order to develop the best treatment plan. Non-aggressive cancers may not necessarily need treatment and can be monitored with active surveillance, which means watching the cancer to make sure it doesn’t turn aggressive and spread. In cases where the cancer is of intermediate or high risk, early identification from a screening test can help make sure that the treatment used on the cancer has the best chance for success.

If you believe it is time for you to start being screened for prostate cancer, then you should have a conversation with your urologist. Early detection can be a life saver. For men who are concerned about prostate cancer, the Advance Urology Institute is an excellent place to begin screening.