What Doctor Treats Urinary Problems

Will A Uti Go Away On Its Own

“A very mild UTI might resolve on its own in a few days, but more often than not a short course of antibiotics is needed to treat a UTI,” says Dr. Kannady. “After initiation of antibiotics, UTI symptoms usually begin to resolve as early as the next day.”

In the meantime, drinking plenty of fluids may help flush out the infection-causing bacteria and over-the-counter medications can help ease discomfort and pain.

But don’t put too much stock in common UTI home remedies. For instance, drinking cranberry juice hasn’t been shown to help relieve a UTI .

When To See A Doctor For A Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection is one of those health issues that’s almost impossible to ignore.

Fortunately, though, it’s also one that’s fairly easily managed if you know the signs to be on the lookout for and what to do when you think you have one.

“UTIs are a very common type of infection that can occur in both women and men,” says Dr. Chris Kannady, a urologist at Houston Methodist. “And knowing when to see a doctor is important since, left untreated, a UTI can spread beyond the lower urinary tract and into the kidneys, which is a more serious infection that can be harder to treat.”

Family Doctor Or Internist

Internists and family medicine doctors have experience in all types of health problems, including bladder conditions. Internists specialize in providing comprehensive care to adults. Family medicine doctors provide general care to people at all stages of life. They focus on health within the context of the family. Most of the time, these two types of doctors help you manage your overall care. If more than one healthcare provider is involved in your treatment, this doctor often coordinates everything.

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How Do I Know If Its Frequent Urination

The characteristics of frequent urination are easy to spot. If you feel the need to pee more than four to eight times in one day, odds are that you have issues with frequent urination. Your healthcare provider may ask you a few questions to confirm this symptom. These could include questions like:

• What medicines are you taking?
• How much fluid do you usually drink?
• Are you drinking more than usual?
• Do you drink alcohol or caffeine?

During a visit, the healthcare provider may also take a urine sample to test for bacteria and white blood cells. UTIs are typically discovered this way. An ultrasound could be used to look for tumors or other structural issues that might be causing frequent urination. Another test you may have is a cystoscopy, which is used to look inside your bladder.

What Steps Can I Take At Home To Treat Urinary Incontinence

Your doctor or nurse may suggest some things you can do at home to help treat urinary incontinence. Some people do not think that such simple actions can treat urinary incontinence. But for many women, these steps make urinary incontinence go away entirely, or help leak less urine. These steps may include:

You can also buy pads or protective underwear while you take other steps to treat urinary incontinence. These are sold in many stores that also sell feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads.

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Urinary Incontinence: Causes Treatment And Self

A person suffering from urinary incontinence is unable to control the bladder. Urine leakage happens when a person sneezes, coughs, laughs or while exercising. This is more common in obese women.

A sudden reaction causes the person to either lose complete control over the bladder or just partially. People with urinary incontinence should make trips to the bathroom more often to avoid losing sudden control.

A person suffering from urinary incontinence lives in a continuous state of anxiety and embarrassment. It affects ones mental health, and quality of life and restricts activities. Many start wearing pads or diapers due to fear of leakage or passing urine.

Urinary incontinence can be caused by an underlying health condition. Hence, a person must seek medical guidance for the problem.

Causes

• Addressing psychosomatic problems

Treatment and management

Sujok Therapy: This is of immense help in managing the problem. The picture shows point that you can press, massage or apply seeds on. This will improve blood circulation. Advanced Sujok helps in balancing energy.

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Different Specialties For Different Ailments

A urologist specializes in the urinary system the bladder, kidneys, ureter and urethra. Its a common misconception that urologists only treat healthcare issues in men. They treat women, too. They provide care for anything related to the urinary tract, such as incontinence, overactive bladder and hematuria .

A gynecologist specializes in the female reproductive system. They provide care for issues related to the reproductive organs, including menstrual cycle problems, fertility and sexually transmitted infections .

Because the urinary tract and female sex organs have a lot of overlap in the body, gynecologists and urologists often work collaboratively to address a patients needs. For example, if youre experiencing pelvic organ prolapse and incontinence, these doctors may work together to treat both conditions.

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What Is A Urogynecologist

Alternately, a women might choose to see a urogynecologist, a gynecologist with additional training in treating bladder control problems and other conditions of the female reproductive system and urinary tract. Both urologists and urogynecologists can treat pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence, says Dr. Lasser.

Whats the difference between a urologist and a urogynecologist?

• A urologist specializes in the management of all aspects of the female and male urinary tract, including incontinence, pelvic prolapse and urinary tract infections.
• A urogynecologist diagnoses and treats various conditions of a womans pelvic organs, including incontinence, pelvic prolapse and pelvic floor disorders.
• A urogynecologist treats only women, while a urologist may treat men and women.

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Michael Lasser, M.D. To make an appointment with Dr. Lasser or another doctor near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.
• Learn more about urology services at Hackensack Meridian Health.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.

What Causes A Uti

A UTI occurs when bacteria infect the urinary tract, causing irritation and inflammation. Most UTIs are caused by E. coli, a bacterium that normally resides in the gut but can get displaced from the rectum to the urethra after a bowel movement.

And after an infection takes hold in the urinary tract, it can then progress to the bladder and even the kidneys.

UTIs are more common in women than in men because a woman’s urethra is much shorter making it easier for bacteria to not only become relocated there but to move through and into the bladder as well.

To help prevent a UTI, always be sure to wipe from front to back never the other way around while using the restroom.

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What Can I Expect In A Visit

Your first appointment with a urologist may not be different from a visit with your primary doctor. Youââ¬â¢ll fill out forms and answer questions about your health history, current symptoms, and any medicines you take.

The urologist will do a physical exam that includes a genital and rectal exam. They may also order blood work or imaging tests, like a CT scan or ultrasound, for a closer look at your organs.

What Is Urinary Incontinence Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment And Prevention

Urinary incontinence , the involuntary loss of urine, is a very common condition that no one wants to talk about. Because of the stigma that surrounds it, many people are too humiliated to seek help. But most conditions that cause UI can be corrected with medical or alternative interventions.

Occurring much more often in women than men, UI happens when the muscles in the bladder that control the flow of urine contract or relax involuntarily, resulting in leaks or uncontrolled urination. UI itself is not a disease, but it can be a symptom of an underlying medical issue.

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Causes Of Urinary Incontinence

Stress incontinence is usually the result of the weakening of or damage to the muscles used to prevent urination, such as the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter.

Urge incontinence is usually the result of overactivity of the detrusor muscles, which control the bladder.

Overflow incontinence is often caused by an obstruction or blockage in your bladder, which prevents it from emptying fully.

Total incontinence may be caused by a problem with the bladder from birth, a spinal injury, or a small, tunnel like hole that can form between the bladder and a nearby area .

Certain things can increase the chances of urinary incontinence, including:

• pregnancy and vaginal birth

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What Is A Urologist

Urologists diagnose and treat diseases of the urinary tract in both men and women. They also diagnose and treat anything involving the reproductive tract in men.

In some cases, they may perform surgery. For example, they may remove cancer or open up a blockage in the urinary tract. Urologists work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private clinics, and urology centers.

The urinary tract is the system that creates, stores, and removes urine from the body. Urologists can treat any part of this system. This includes the:

• kidneys, which are the organs that filter waste out of the blood to produce urine
• ureters, which are the tubes through which urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder
• bladder, which is the hollow sac that stores urine
• urethra, which is the tube through which urine travels from the bladder out of the body
• adrenal glands, which are the glands located on top of each kidney that release hormones

Urologists also treat all parts of the male reproductive system. This system is made up of the:

• testicles, which are the two oval organs inside the scrotum that make the hormone testosterone and produce sperm

Urology is the field of medicine that focuses on diseases of the urinary tract and the male reproductive tract. Some urologists treat general diseases of the urinary tract. Others specialize in a particular type of urology, such as:

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Urology Problems In Men

Men who have a family history of prostate, testicular, kidney, and other cancers should start seeing a urologist around the age of 40. Your physician will do a complete medical history and screening exam to determine if you are at risk. Be sure to check with your insurance to see if you need a referral from your primary care doctor before seeing a urologist.

• Prostate cancer screenings are important so a physician can check for abnormalities of the prostate. While prostate canceris the most common cancer among men, it can often be treated successfully. Signs and symptoms include trouble urinating or the urge to go often, blood in the urine, or trouble getting an erection.
• Testicular cancer screenings are important so that a physician can check for abnormalities such as growths or lumps on the testicles. Other signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include those who have gone through early puberty, have lower back pain or breast growth or soreness.
• Kidney stones occur when chemicals in the urine crystalize and form stones. These stones will start out small but may grow to an inch or larger. Signs that you may have a kidney stone include pain in the lower back or when urinating, nausea/vomiting, blood in the urine and being unable to urinate, or feeling like you have to go often. You may be at risk if you are dehydrated, have frequent urinary tract infections, blocking in the urinary tract, or a family history of kidney stones.

Know The Proper Steps To Take For The Quickest Relief From Urinary Tract Infection

The lower urinary tract can provide access for infectious bacteria to enter the body, sometimes resulting in urinary tract infections. A urinary tract infection may cause one or more symptoms, such as a persistent sense of need to urinate, a burning sensation during urination, frequently passing only small amounts of urine, or urine that appears cloudy, bright red, pink, or brownish.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, see your doctor to find out which of the following methods of diagnosis and urinary tract infection treatment is appropriate for your needs.

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How Soon After Starting Kegel Exercises Will Urinary Incontinence Get Better

It may take 4 to 6 weeks before you notice any improvement in your symptoms.10

Kegel exercises work differently for each person. Your symptoms may go away totally, you may notice an improvement in your symptoms but still have some leakage, or you may not see any improvement at all. But even if your symptoms dont get better, Kegel exercises can help prevent your incontinence from getting worse.

You may need to continue doing Kegel exercises for the rest of your life. Even if your symptoms improve, urinary incontinence can come back if you stop doing the exercises.

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You Generally Need A Referral To See A Urologist

When patients notice something unusual, whether it be an issue with bladder control or an enlarged prostate, their first thought should be to see their primary care doctor. A GP can do an initial evaluation and decide whether you need to be referred to a specialist, which in this case would be a urologist. Different health care plans have varying requirements for seeing a specialist, but in many cases you will need a referral from your primary care doctor.

Patients may also choose to skip their GP and come direct to a specialist. This may happen if they had some acute issue in the emergency, or have an issue they feel more comfortable speaking about directly with a urologist, such as erectile dysfunction.

In most cases other than acute emergencies , a direct referral may be necessary. But even in these cases if often best to go through your GP or the emergency room.

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How To Diagnose And Treat A Prolapsed Bladder

This article was medically reviewed by Lacy Windham, MD. Dr. Windham is a board certified Obstetrician & Gynecologist in Tennessee. She attended medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and completed her residency at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2010, where she was awarded the Most Outstanding Resident in Maternal Fetal Medicine, Most Outstanding Resident in Oncology, and Most Outstanding Resident Overall.There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 96% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 112,458 times.

Symptoms Of Urinary Retention

Acute urinary retention requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms include:

• A complete inability to pass urine
• A painful urge to urinate
• Pain or swelling in your lower abdomen

Chronic urinary retention symptoms include:

• Frequent urination
• Trouble starting urination
• Weak or intermittent urination stream
• A feeling of needing to urinate after finishing urination

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What To Expect During A Urology Visit

You can see a urologist at any age, but most often, urinary problems arise after age 50. When you come into the office, your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms and concerns. The exam may include specific tests based on your symptoms. Your doctor will want to ensure the kidneys are working well and that the bladder is emptying properly. For men, your doctor may want to make sure a proper cancer screening is done.

Depending on the cause of your symptoms, treatment may include medicine, surgery or even specific exercises to strengthen muscles.

When Should I Reach Out To My Doctor About Frequent Urination

Because the conditions behind frequent urination can range wildly from casual to severe, you should speak to your doctor about anything outside of your typical urination patterns. In some cases, frequent urination may be just an annoying symptom that will end when you cut back on the caffeineor have the baby. However, if you are unsure why youre urinating so frequently, it is best to set up an appointment and talk about it. This is a symptom that can often be treated and isnt something that you need to just deal with.

There are a few signs to keep an eye out for and call your doctor immediately if you have them with frequent urination. These include:

• If you have a fever.
• If you are vomiting.
• If you have back pain .
• If you see blood in your urine.

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Pelvic Muscle Training Devices

You can use these products when you do Kegel exercises, which help strengthen and control the muscles you clench when you try to hold in urine. Although you dont need external devices to do Kegels, you may find they help enhance your workout.

There are different kinds of Kegel training devices. Some are aimed at men and women, including appliances you squeeze between your thighs. Vaginal weights, rods, and cones of various sizes are intended for women.

Itâs hard to tell at a glance which items might help you or how some of them work. So do research and talk to your doctor before you buy any of them. Your doctor can help you narrow down the choices.