Going to a urologist can be scary for some people. Patients can be intimidated, embarrassed or uncomfortable discussing their symptoms with a doctor. But, many people don’t understand just how common urological conditions and diseases are. Rest assured, men and women of all ages come to the Urology Clinic at Bryan Hospital for care. From simple infections to chronic conditions, the urology team at Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers (CHWC) can help ease your discomfort. Below are some common ailments that the Urology Clinic at Bryan Hospital can treat.
Overactive Bladder
An overactive bladder is a common condition that countless people experience. You may feel the constant urge to urinate or have difficulty holding your urine, leading to incontinence. The continuous pressure and urge to urinate can impact your social life or disrupt your sleep patterns. A visit to a urologist can help diagnose an overactive bladder, determine the cause of symptoms and develop a treatment plan.
Urinary Incontinence
Loss of bladder control can result from an illness, like an infection or cancer, or can be caused by age, childbirth or injury. Severity ranges from urinating while coughing or sneezing to being unable to control urination. A urologist can determine the cause of incontinence and help with treatments and therapy to improve the condition.
Kidney or Bladder Stones
Kidney and bladder stones are hard mineral deposits in the body. Pain can be quite severe with kidney and bladder stones, sometimes forcing people to visit the emergency room. Both men and women of all ages are subject to this painful condition, but people with poor diets and exercise habits tend to be more prone to developing kidney stones. Sometimes kidney stones can pass through the body naturally, while other more persistent stones require surgery.
Pelvic Prolapse
The pelvic floor usually includes organs in the pelvic region like the bladder, vagina, small bowel, uterus and rectum. These organs can become damaged during childbirth or injury and shift in the body, causing one or several organs to move out of place. A prolapsed organ can cause pain, discomfort, constipation, incontinence or vaginal bleeding. Treating pelvic prolapse often requires the services of a urogynecologist, a specialist who can treat pelvic conditions. CHWC has urologists who specialize in urogynecology at both Bryan Hospital and Archbold Medical Center. Sometimes, simple physical therapy treats and corrects pelvic prolapse, while more severe injuries require other methods of treatment, such as surgery.
Kidney or Bladder Cancer
A urologist can help diagnose and treat both kidney and bladder cancer. Symptoms of bladder and kidney cancer include incontinence, abdominal pain and blood in the urine. Patients may also experience unexplained weight loss. Most bladder cancer is discovered in the very early stages, making it highly treatable. Like bladder cancer, kidney cancer is usually found early and responds well to typical cancer treatments. If diagnosed with kidney or bladder cancer, your urologist will work with an oncologist to create a customized treatment plan based on your symptoms, disease progression, and overall health.
Whether you need treatment from a urologist or help with specialized care from a urogynecologist, our team of professionals at CHWC is here for you. Call today to schedule your next urology appointment.
