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What Type Of Doctor For Prostate Problems

What Does A Urologist Do

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Since urology is a surgical specialty, urologists can provide you with a wealth of information on a variety of health topics. Urologists encounter a wide range of health issues in their patients so please ask them about anything concerning you health-wise and they will help decide the best treatment for you.

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Surgical procedures to remove the diseased prostate are usually necessary. Surgical procedures are not always necessary. If the disease is caused by bacterial infections, a doctor can treat the symptoms using alpha-blockers or surgery. Physical therapy, relaxation exercises, and warm baths are all recommended. A physician may also prescribe antibiotics to cure the infection. A bacterial infection can also cause a recurrence of the condition.

An enlarged prostate can be uncomfortable for both men and women. Some of the symptoms of an enlarged male reproductive organ include a weakened urine stream, urgent need to urinate, and urinary tract infections. BPH can also cause damage to the kidneys. A sudden inability to urinate can be life-threatening, as it can lead to bladder and kidney damage. Unfortunately, most men with enlarged prostrates put up with the symptoms for years before they seek treatment. However, many of the men with symptoms finally decide to go to a doctor for proper gynecological evaluation and to begin enlarged prostatic therapy.

How Is Prostate Hyperplasia Diagnosed

Patients with above mentioned complaints should be examined regarding Benign Prostate Hyperplasia â BPH.

Benign character of prostate hyperplasia should be verified with PSA , urinalysis and digital rectal examination.

BPH is verified if results of these tests are normal. Ultrasound and Uroflowmetry are performed to identify severity of BPH. Moreover, International Prostate Symptom Score is also used which investigates the patient’s complaints.

BPH is staged using all these data. Treatment method changes depending on the stage of BPH and the available option is either medical treatment or surgery .

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Questions You Might Want To Ask Your Gp

  • Do I need to see a specialist? Is it urgent?
  • When will I see them?
  • Where will I see them?
  • Will I find out about my appointments by post or telephone?
  • Do I need tests? What will they involve?
  • How long should I expect to wait?
  • Where can I find out more about tests?
  • Do I have to do anything in preparation for this test?
  • When will I get the results and who will tell me?

Your GP might not be able to answer all of your questions. They will tell you what they can at this point. Not knowing is difficult to cope with and can make you anxious.

Speaking to a friend or relative about how you feel might help.

When To See A Doctor

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In the early stages, there may be no symptoms of prostate disease. As the disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty urinating
  • Fever and chills
  • Blood in the urine

If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to call your doctor. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. You may be referred to a specialist called a urologist . Urologists diagnose and treat diseases of the urinary and genital organs.

As men age, they may experience problems with their prostate gland. Symptoms can include pain and inflammation. Most prostate diseases are benign and can be treated. Learn more about common prostate diseases.

©2018 Intermountain Healthcare. All rights reserved. The content presented here is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and it should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.

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Choosing To Stop Treatment Or Choosing No Treatment At All

For some people, when treatments have been tried and are no longer controlling the cancer, it could be time to weigh the benefits and risks of continuing to try new treatments. Whether or not you continue treatment, there are still things you can do to help maintain or improve your quality of life.

Some people, especially if the cancer is advanced, might not want to be treated at all. There are many reasons you might decide not to get cancer treatment, but its important to talk to your doctors and you make that decision. Remember that even if you choose not to treat the cancer, you can still get supportive care to help with pain or other symptoms.

What Is A Digital Rectal Exam

The most common way for doctors to check on the health of your prostate is with a DRE. Its a fairly quick and simple procedure.

For the exam, youll bend at the waist while standing or lie on your side with your knees bent toward your chest.

Your doctor will lubricate a gloved finger and gently place it inside your rectum. Theyll press one hand on your prostate, and their other hand will feel your pelvic area. It should only take a few moments.

You may experience momentary discomfort. You may also feel the urge to urinate, especially if your prostate is enlarged or inflamed.

Your doctor will be able to tell you if your prostate seems to be a normal size and shape. In general, a DRE has no risks.

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Further Testing For Advanced Cancer

If thereâs a significant chance the cancer has spread from your prostate to other parts of the body, further tests may be recommended.

These include:

  • an MRI scan, CT scan or PET scan these scans build a detailed picture of the inside of your body
  • an isotope bone scan, which can tell if the cancer has spread to your bones a small amount of radiation dye is injected into the vein and then collects in parts of the bone where there are any abnormalities

What Do The Results Mean

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PSA levels may be above the baseline for various reasons other than prostate cancer.

Other that can raise PSA levels include:

  • an enlarged prostate â because of benign prostatic hyperplasia , for example
  • prostatitis, which is inflammation and swelling of the prostate

Also, people with obesity may have lower PSA readings.

In addition, some medications may reduce PSA levels, including:

  • 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, which can help treat BPH
  • aspirin, which some people take regularly as a blood thinner
  • statins, which help manage cholesterol levels
  • thiazide diuretics, a kind of water pill that can help reduce high blood pressure

Some herbal medicines and supplements can also lower PSA levels. Tell the doctor about any medications and supplements before undergoing the test.

High PSA levels alone do not indicate cancer. However, if a DRE also reveals changes, a doctor may recommend a biopsy for a more accurate result.

The PCA3 is another test for prostate cancer that doctors use in some circumstances. Find out more.

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What Are Symptoms Of Prostatitis

Signs of prostatitis are as follows:

This type of prostatitis is generally caused by bacteria of urinary system and colon.

Acute bacterial prostatitis is a serious clinical condition. Therefore, people with these complaints should immediately visit a doctor.

Antibiotics, painkiller and anti-pyretic agents are used for treatment. Inpatient treatment may be required depending on severity of symptoms.

Referral To A Urologist

The GP may refer you to a urologist or other appropriate specialist if:

  • previous treatments have not helped your urinary problems
  • a urinary infection does not go away or comes back regularly
  • you cannot fully empty your bladder
  • you have kidney problems
  • you have stress incontinence, which is when urine leaks out at times when your bladder is under pressure for example, when you cough or laugh

You should also see a specialist if the GP is concerned that your symptoms could be caused by cancer, although for most men this is not the cause.

To help find out what might be causing your symptoms and decide how to manage them, you should be offered extra tests to measure:

  • how fast your urine flows
  • how much urine is left in your bladder after you have peed

You may also be offered other tests, depending on your symptoms or the treatment you and your doctor are considering.

Page last reviewed: 10 February 2020 Next review due: 10 February 2023

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What You Need To Know About The Prostate What Type Of Doctor Checks Prostate

A enlarged prostate can also cause blockages in the urethra. A blocked urethra can also damage the kidneys. A patient suffering from an enlargement of the prostate may have pain in his lower abdomen and genitals. If pain is present, a digital rectal examination will reveal hard areas. A doctor may prescribe surgery or perform an endoscopic procedure. If the enlarged prostate is not completely removed, it will shrink.

While the size of an enlarged prostate will influence the extent of urinary symptoms, men may experience a range of urinary symptoms. Some men have minimal or no symptoms at all. Some men will have a very enlarged prostate, whereas others will have a mild enlargement. Generally, the symptoms can stabilize over time. Some men may have an enlarged prostate but not notice it. If they have an enlarged colon, their physician can perform a TURP procedure.

Considering Complementary And Alternative Methods

Infographic: Signs of an enlarged prostate

You may hear about alternative or complementary methods that your doctor hasnt mentioned to treat your cancer or relieve symptoms. These methods can include vitamins, herbs, and special diets, or other methods such as acupuncture or massage, to name a few.

Complementary methods refer to treatments that are used along with your regular medical care. Alternative treatments are used instead of a doctors medical treatment. Although some of these methods might be helpful in relieving symptoms or helping you feel better, many have not been proven to work. Some might even be harmful.

Be sure to talk to your cancer care team about any method you are thinking about using. They can help you learn what is known about the method, which can help you make an informed decision.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Prostate Problems

The symptoms of a prostate problem may include problems with urinating and bladder control. Bladder control is how well you can delay, start, or stop urination. These problems can cause you to

  • go to the bathroom frequently
  • feel as if you need to rush to the bathroom, only to find you cant urinate or you urinate only a little
  • leak or dribble urine
  • have a weak urine stream

Depending on the cause of your prostate problems, you may have other symptoms.

Effective Energetic Treatment For Enlarged Prostate

Topics in this Post

Enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia , is a common condition as men get older. By age 60, about 30% of men show moderate to severe symptoms of BPH by age 80, it is 50%. An enlarged prostate gland can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as a weak urine stream, urine stream that starts and stops, frequently getting up at night to urinate, and inability to void the bladder.

There are many different treatment options for BPH, ranging from behavior medications to surgery. A minimally invasive option is bipolar enucleation of the prostate, or BipoLEP. If you are considering treatment, here’s what you need to know.

Prostate anatomy

The prostate is a small organ that sits at the bottom of the bladder. The urethra, the tube the drains the bladder, runs through the middle of the prostate.

Early in a mans life, the prostate is roughly the size of a walnut or a small tangerine. Often around 50, the prostate increases in size. For some men, this change closes off the urethra and makes it more difficult for the bladder to empty.

The prostate has two parts. The adenoma is the inner part that surrounds urethra. It is the part of the prostate that grows as men get older. The capsule is the outer part of the prostate and does not change in size over the course of life. A good analogy is to think of an orange. The orange peel represents the capsule, and the fruit represents the adenoma.

Removal of prostate tissue

Procedure

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How Serious Is My Cancer

If you have prostate cancer, the doctor will want to find out how far it has spread. This is called the stage of the cancer. You may have heard other people say that their cancer was stage 1 or stage 2. Your doctor will want to find out the stage of your cancer to help decide what types of treatment might be best for you.

The stage is based on the growth or spread of the cancer through the prostate, and if it has spread to other parts of your body. It also includes your blood PSA level and the grade of the cancer. The prostate cancer cells are given a grade, based on how they look under a microscope. Those that look very different from normal cells are given a higher grade and are likely to grow faster. The grade of your cancer might be given as a Gleason score or a Grade Group . Ask your doctor to explain the grade of your cancer. The grade also can helpdecide which treatments might be best for you.

Your cancer can be stage 1, 2, 3, or 4. The lower the number, the less the cancer has spread. A higher number, like stage 4, means a more serious cancer that has spread outside the prostate.

If your cancer hasnât spread to other parts of the body, it might also be given a risk group. The risk group is based on the extent of the cancer in the prostate, your PSA level, and the results of the prostate biopsy. The risk group can help tell if other tests should be done, and what the best treatment options might be.

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What Are The Characteristics Of Holep Surgery

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Patients do not experience dysuria after their catheter is removed, as the method is based on the principle of “resection with laser” instead of “burning with electrical current”.

The patients get rid of catheters within a short time, 24 hours, and they can engage in activities of daily life, as the risk of bleeding is low, hospital stay is short and convalescence is quick.

Since it penetrates into the healthy tissue less than 0.4 mm, it does not harm the nerves that are located around the capsule of prostate gland and regulate sexual functions. Therefore, postoperative erectile dysfunction is not likely.

As no burn defect occurs in surgically removed tissues, the tissues are more easily examined by pathologists and possible malignancies are less likely to be unnoticed.

The risk of recurrence is very low, as the prostate gland is totally removed.

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What Kind Of Doctor Do You See For Prostate Problems

Urologist. Urologists are physicians who are trained specifically to deal with conditions of the male reproductive organs and of both the male and female urinary tracts.

Does a urologist treat prostate?

In addition to treating prostate cancer, a urologist may treat conditions such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections and male infertility. With regard to prostate cancer, many patients receive their diagnosis from a urologist.

When should I see a urologist for my prostate?

Men commonly seek a urologist if they have blood in the urine, kidney stones, difficulties emptying their bladder or an elevated PSA. A prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, is a protein found in the blood that, at elevated levels, may indicate prostate cancer.

Gp Examination And Tests

A GP will ask about your symptoms and concerns, and their impact on your quality of life.

You may be asked to complete a chart that records how much liquid you usually drink, how much urine you pass, how often you have to pee on a daily basis and whether you have any leakage.

The GP may do a physical examination. They may examine your stomach and genital area.

They may also feel your prostate gland through the wall of your bottom . This is called a rectal examination.

The GP may order a blood test to check that your kidneys are working properly.

They may advise you to have a prostate-specific antigen blood test to rule out prostate cancer.

You may be offered a urine test, for example to check for sugar or blood in your pee. This is to see if you have diabetes or an infection.

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Talking With Your Doctor

Different kinds of doctors and other health care professionals manage prostate health. They can help you find the best care, answer your questions, and address your concerns. These health care professionals include:

  • Family doctors and internists
  • Physician assistants and nurse practitioners
  • Urologists, who are experts in diseases of the urinary tract system and the male reproductive system
  • Urologic oncologists, who are experts in treating cancers of the urinary system and the male reproductive system
  • Radiation oncologists, who use radiation therapy to treat cancer
  • Medical oncologists, who treat cancer with medications such as hormone treatments and chemotherapy
  • Pathologists, who identify diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope

View these professionals as your partnersâexpert advisors and helpers in your health care. Talking openly with your doctors can help you learn more about your prostate changes and the tests to expect.

Do Prostate Problems Cause Other Problems

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Yes, a prostate problem may cause other problems, such as

  • problems having sex
  • feeling stressed due to chronic pain
  • inflammation in areas near your prostate

Which problem you may get depends on the type of prostate problem you have. Other problems may vary from man to man for each type of prostate problem.

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