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Urologists: What They Do and What to Expect

Making your first appointment with a urologist might be nerve-wracking if you don't know when to start seeing one.

This internal blog will explore what a urologist is, when a person would require one, and how they can assist in the treatment of a variety of problems. It will also go over the typical equipment a urologist may utilise.

What Is a Urologist?

A urologist is a doctor who specialises in treating conditions affecting the urinary tract of both men and women. Urologists can work with anyone from infants to senior citizens. They mainly specialise in the urinary tract and the male reproductive system.

Urologists specialise in various procedures including surgery, laser surgery, and minimally invasive surgeries like biopsy or vasectomy.

The urologist will examine you and ask questions about your medical history, symptoms, and medications. They may also perform tests to examine your kidneys, bladder, or prostate gland.

Urologists may treat conditions that require surgery. The main responsibilities of urologists include:

  • Diagnosing diseases of the genitourinary tract
  • Treating diseases of the genitourinary tract
  • Performing minimally invasive surgeries
  • Treating male fertility problems and sexual dysfunction
  • Diagnosing and treating urinary tract infections, kidney stones and other urinary tract disorders.

How Does A Urologist Help Patients?

A urologist is your best bet for diagnosis and treatment when it comes to health problems related to the urinary tract.

Suppose a doctor feels that a patient has a problem with their urinary tract (bladder, urethra, ureters, kidneys, or adrenal glands). In that case, they may send the patient to a urologist for further evaluation and possible treatment.

Urologists also treat male patients who have issues with their genitalia, including the epididymis, penis, prostate, seminal vesicles, and testes.

Urologists are trained in fields such as:

  • Pediatric urology
  • Male infertility
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
  • Sexual medicine
  • Urologic oncology

Urologists can be found in private practice or at hospitals. They may also work in urology clinics or with other specialists, such as nephrologists and radiologists, to provide comprehensive care for patients with complex medical needs (such as kidney disease). The urologist will often receive notes from the referring physician but will still do their assessment and examination.

In addition, they could request diagnostic procedures.

  • Imaging studies like a CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound
  • Cystoscopy to examine the urinary system and, in certain cases, to collect tissue samples for diagnostic analysis
  • Urine analysis
  • Biopsy

Some of the Conditions That Require a Visit to a Urologist

If you experience the following symptoms, it might be time to see a urologist.

  • Problems starting or maintaining a steady stream of urine; discomfort; hazy or bloody pee; or a lack of urination.
  • Alterations in urine patterns, such as the need to urinate often or constantly.
  • A lack of or difficulty maintaining an erection.
  • Infertility.
  • Vaginal heaviness or the sensation that something is slipping down into your vagina.
  • A sensation of discomfort in the pelvic region.
  • Urinating at inopportune times, such as throughout the night, when you sneeze, laugh, or while you're working out.

Common Equipment A Urologist Uses

Urologists use many different tools and equipment while they treat patients. Some of these tools include:

Urology examining tables: These tables usually have stirrups to hold the patient’s legs and a mechanism to help adjust both the height of the table and the position of the stirrups. They also have a padded top for comfort.

Urology operating tables: In contrast to examining tables, operating tables do not have padded tops or stirrups. However, the operating table does have split leg sections that allow for the best stability possible while still allowing for simple access to the surgical site.

  • Dilators: Urethral dilators are commonly used to stretch the urethral narrowing.
  • Probes: Used during surgical procedures for exploration.
  • Clamps: Used to hold or grasp tissue or blood vessels during surgery.
  • Needles: Used to stitch incisions after surgery.
  • Retractors: Used to hold a wound or incision open during surgery.
  • Forceps: Used to remove foreign objects from the body.
  • Urodynamic machines: These machines are used to measure bladder pressure and urine flow.
  • Catheters: Used for bladder drainage.
  • Stents: These help keep the urinary tract open during procedures.
  • Scissors: Used to make incisions in invasive surgeries.
  • Cystoscope: These are used for closer examination of the bladder and urinary tract.
  • Ultrasound machine: Ultrasound machines are used to diagnose disorders and diseases of the urinary tract, the male reproductive system, bladder, kidneys or prostate gland.
  • Endoscopes: These are long, thin tubes fitted with a small camera that allow a urologist to look closely inside your body.
  • Surgical dressings and absorbents
  • Mobile C-Arm: A type of portable X-ray machine, a mobile C-arm is used to take clear and concise images of the urinary tract to help with diagnoses and treatment of urinary tract disorders.

Takeaway

As a urologist, you know that the success of your practice depends on having the right equipment and supplies to perform your procedures. You can offer the best urology solutions only with an efficient and reliable workflow.

Paragon Care's quality medical equipment and supplies can help you achieve these goals by providing you with high-quality medical equipment supplies.

Our solutions are designed to provide value, performance, and reliability for urology practices. We offer a full range of high-quality medical equipment supplies, including irrigation products and diagnostic instruments. Our products are carefully selected for their superior performance in urology procedures.