Know urological diseases and how to prevent them

Health problems such as kidney disease, prostate disorders, and bladder are urological diseases. This disease can affect anyone, regardless of age and sex of the sufferer. Come on, get to know what urology is and how to prevent this disease.

What is urology?

Urology is the medical science of the urinary tract, including diseases that can affect these organs. The urethra is a part of the urinary system that functions as a filter and carries urine out of the body.

This health problem can happen to anyone, both men and women, including children to adults. Therefore, urology is an important area of ​​health.

Disorders of the urinary system will usually be treated by a urologist (urologist). This specialist doctor will generally check for surrounding diseases, the kidneys, ureters, adrenal glands, to the urethra.

If men experience urological problems, the doctor will also check the health condition of their reproductive organs, from the testes to the penis.

In addition, urologists also treat other male health problems, such as enlargement and prostate cancer, kidney stones, to incontinence.

Meanwhile, women who experience urological problems will be treated by a urologist and an obstetrician consultation. In some cases, urological problems also require an endocrinologist when the condition disrupts the hormonal system.

Types of urological diseases

The urinary tract is a part of the organs associated with urology. This channel functions to excrete urine and consists of the kidneys, ureters and bladder.

Here are some of the diseases and conditions related to urology that you need to be aware of.

1. Kidney disease

Kidney disease is part of the problem related to urology. The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs that function to filter fluids and waste in the blood. This fist-sized organ will produce urine.

If someone has kidney disease, it means that the organ is damaged and cannot filter the blood properly. You are at greater risk of developing kidney problems if you have diabetes and high blood pressure.

Several types of diseases are caused by impaired kidney function, including:

• acute kidney injury,
• kidney infection (pyelonephritis),
• kidney cyst,
• swollen kidneys,
• chronic kidney disease,
• kidney stones, as well
• kidney failure.

2. Bladder problems

Apart from the kidneys, another organ associated with urological diseases is the bladder. The bladder is a balloon-shaped organ located in the lower abdomen (pelvis).

This organ is part of the urinary system which functions to collect urine before it is excreted from the body. As we get older, the shape and elasticity of the bladder will change to become hard and less elastic.

When this happens, the bladder may no longer be able to hold as much urine as before. As a result, you may go to the bathroom more often because you have bladder problems.

In addition, the walls of the bladder and pelvic floor muscles can weaken, so that various diseases can occur, such as:

• bladder infection,
• bladder stones,
• cystitis,
• polyuria (frequent urination),
• urinary incontinence,
• overactive bladder, and
• dysuria (anyang-anyangan).

3. Disorders of the prostate

Urinary tract diseases related to urology also include prostate disease. The prostate is a gland that plays an important role in the male reproductive system, which produces sperm.

This organ is located under the bladder, enveloping the channel through which urine and sperm exit. The prostate is generally the size of a walnut, but it can grow in size over time.

If the prostate size is too large, it can cause a number of diseases that affect the urinary tract and male sexual life, namely:

• prostatitis (prostate infection),
• benign prostate enlargement (BPH disease), and
• prostate cancer.

4. Other urological diseases

Apart from the three types of diseases above, there are several other problems related to urology, such as:

• ureterocele,
• proteinuria (protein in the urine),
• ureter stricture (narrowing of the urethra),
• narrowing of the ureter (ureteric stricture),
• urinary tract infection (UTI), and
• hematuria (bloody urine).

Common symptoms of urological diseases

Urology is a science that deals with the urinary tract. This means that the signs and symptoms caused by urological disease are usually related to your urinary system.

The following are some of the symptoms of urology that indicate you need to consult a urologist.

• bloody urine (hematuria),
• pain when urinating,
• the frequency of urination changes,
• frequent urination,
• weak urinary flow,
• difficulty holding urine,
• pain in the waist and lower abdomen,
• the bladder feels full,
• changes in urine color and odor,
• nausea and vomiting, as well
• impotence.

There are some symptoms that may not be mentioned and can be caused by urological diseases. If you have further questions, consult with your doctor to find the right solution for you.

How to treat this condition?

Basically, diseases of the urinary system have quite varied treatment options. However, the treatment of problems related to the urinary tract is carried out according to the type of disease.

The first step that needs to be done is to consult a general practitioner. If your symptoms are related to urological disease, your doctor will refer you to a urologist.

After that, the doctor will ask about your medical history and perform several tests to diagnose your disease, including a urine test (urinalysis).

Here are some treatment options for dealing with problems related to the urinary system.

• laser prostatectomy,
• ESWL therapy,
• drugs such as antibiotics,
• surgery or surgical removal of stones and tumors,
• radiation and chemotherapy, as well
• kidney transplant, for those with kidney failure.

Apart from some of the above treatments, some urological diseases can actually be treated by changing your lifestyle. For example, kidney failure patients are advised to undergo a special renal failure diet so that their kidneys do not work too hard.

Always consult your doctor if you have any questions related to medication, from medicines to diet.

Tips for preventing urological disease

The human urinary system is a fairly complex system because it consists of various valves, pipes and pumps. If one of these organs has a problem, urological disease, such as kidney damage, cannot be avoided.

Therefore, your urinary tract needs to be maintained to avoid disease. Here are some tips to prevent urological disease through a healthier lifestyle.

• Fulfill your fluid needs by drinking at least 8 glasses per day.
• Start quitting smoking and drinking less alcohol.
• Limit your daily intake of salt and caffeine.
• Maintain a healthy and ideal body weight.
• Strengthen the pelvic area muscles with Kegel exercises.
• Teach children to urinate before bed, do not make it a habit to hold pee.
• Clean the vagina after urinating from front to back for women.
• Drinking juice cranberries which helps prevent UTIs.

It is important to remember that it is yourself who can prevent your disease from occurring. Schedule regular check-ups with your doctor and make sure to always report any symptoms or problems with your body.