Jerry G. Blaivas, MD, FACS Dr. Blaivas is a world-renowned urological expert, surgeon, distinguished author, educator, and medical pioneer. He was one of the founders of urodynamics and established many of the current surgical procedures used to correct stress incontinence, urinary fistulas, urethral diverticulum, overactive bladder and neurogenic bladder. He is also one of the… Continue Reading
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Common Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. Statistically, it affects men more than women. Adults are more at risk to be affected, but it can happen at any point in life. Almost 7 out of 10 times, bladder cancer is detected in patients at an early stage. It is the point when it is highly treatable. At the same time, patients who have undergone treatment for bladder cancer successfully, need to follow up tests for years as it has a high probability to recur.
What Is Bladder Cancer?
The bladder is a hollow, membranous sac in the abdomen. Its function is to store the urine from kidneys for excretion. Bladder cancer develops when the cells of the bladder start to grow abnormally as opposed to growing and dividing in an orderly way. The wall of the bladder has many layers, and in most cases, cancer begins in the innermost layer. As time goes by, cancer spreads to other layers and becomes harder to treat.
Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
Some of the common symptoms of Bladder Cancer are:
- Blood in the urine. Most of the times it is not painful, but it is one of the most prevalent symptoms amongst patients.
- Cancer can cause a change in urinary habits, such as frequent visits to the bathroom but small amounts of urine.
- Bladder cancer can be the reason behind frequent UTIs or urinary tract infections.
- Dysuria, i.e., pain, discomfort or burning while urinating. It is known that Bladder cancer is more common in men along with prostate and testicular cancer, but dysuria is more common in women.
These symptoms are not exclusive to bladder cancer and may at many times be indicators of other problems, such as infections or stones in the kidney/bladder. Most of the times, the blood in the urine is not visible and needs to be tested. If the urine changes color beyond just a slight change in shade, or it is bright red, you need to seek a medical professional immediately.
Risk Factors of Bladder Cancer
If you have no risk factors, you need to pay close attention to the changes in your urinary habits. But if you have risk factors, you should undergo screening tests. These examinations are not for detecting cancer, but their result can determine further testing, based on abnormalities. Risk factors include:
- White Skin
- Being a man
- Old Age
- Smoking
- Family History
- Exposure to Certain Chemicals
- Another Form of Cancer
- Chronic Bladder Inflammation
When the cancer cells form a mass, they are called a tumor or cancer. These cells can spread to other areas of the body through metastasis. It is a process in which the cancer cells destroy the local tissues, and the fluids from these tissues become a passage for the cancerous cells to spread through the lymphatic system or the bloodstream where they can stop off at other organs/tissues and destroy them.
Preventive measures and early detection is the key to defeat the disease. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best Urologist doctor in NYC.
Call us today at 646.205.3039 to schedule an appointment to meet with the best NYC urologist.
Why You Should Have Your Prostate Checked
As you all visit a health professional regularly to make sure there are no health problems, similarly, you should go through a prostate exam at regular intervals. This would ensure that you do not have the symptoms of prostate cancer. Even if you eat healthy and nutritious foods, it is vital for you to take care as prostate can attack you anytime. You should strictly follow professional advice or else you will face issues afterward.
You may expect discomfort or some signs in your prostate area which signify possible issues. However, this is not always the case. It can be quite challenging for you to diagnose prostate cancer as there are no visible signs and symptoms. Once you start experiencing them, you may at a later stage of cancer. Therefore, it is highly recommended to detect anything as soon as possible. Let’s have a look at some of the factors that ensure that you need a prostate exam:
Age Factor
If you have a clear prostate history, wait until 50 years of age and then get your first prostate exam. According to a research, there are very fewer chances of prostate cancer for people under the age of 50. However, as you go past that, your chances increase. This does not mean that you wait until the age of 50. Go through regular checkups to make sure there are no issues. If you forget to check the prostate level at younger ages, check it latest at 50.
Family History
You have higher chances of prostate cancer if you have a family history of cancer. In such cases, it is vital for you to get your exam done once you reach 40 years of age. If in case any of your immediate family members have prostate cancer, your chances increase by three times.
According to a statistic, it is also shown that men are much likely to suffer from this problem if their mother has had breast cancer. All this happens because of the genes. Therefore, try not to avoid anything and quickly cure it.
Urinary Problems
The most common sign of prostate cancer is urinating more frequently. If you have to go to the washroom at regular intervals, consult a urologist immediately. This problem usually occurs with men over the age of 50. This can also have a greater impact on your life. You may have to go to the restroom more often, and it might be difficult for you to go to places for meeting, and leisure, etc. In this case, try to solve the problem as soon as possible. If this is not diagnosed as the early stage, it may not be treated.
Verdict
Prostate Cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases and can be life-taking if not treated properly. Not everyone is a specialist, try going to a specialist urologist to get the job done properly. The first step should be to go through a prostate exam.
Call our offices today at 646-205-3039 to discuss your concerns and to learn what solutions may be available to you.
What You Need to Know About Urology and UTIs
Urology deals with the health, function, and diseases of the urinary tract while urologist is a person who identifies and treats the diseases of the urinary system. Since the urinary and reproductive systems are attached there are quite a few diseases that affect one another, and there is an entire domain of genitourinary disorders managed through urology.
Urologist
The urologist diagnoses and treats urinary diseases in both men and women. The urinary system creates, stores and removes urine from the body. It consists of Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder, Urethra and adrenal glands. A urologist also treats the entire male reproductive system, which consists of penis, prostate, and testicles.
UTI
UTI stands for Urinary Tract Infection, UTIs could be an infection anywhere in the urinary tract. These infections are much more common in adults than in children, but the UTIs in children are likely to be more serious. If we compare males and females, more women and girls are diagnosed with UTI’s than men or boys. About 40 percent women and 12 percent men have a UTI at some point in their lives.
Causes of UTI
The most common culprit that causes UTI is E. coli. It’s a type of bacteria that normally live in the bowel and around the anus. If the germs travel up the urethra to the bladder, the bacteria grow and cause infections if the bacteria travels further above it can cause a kidney infection, which can become a serious problem if not dealt with promptly. People with kidney stones and certain injuries are at a higher risk of getting UTIs.
Who Is at Risk
People with suppressed immune systems, sexually active women, women who use a diaphragm, men with an enlarged prostate, hospitalized patients or nursing-home residents, Patients using catheters, postmenopausal women and pregnant women are at increased risk for a UTI.
Urologists prescribe antibiotics for treatment both complicated and simple UTIs. The kind of antibiotic and period of treatment depend on the conditions.
Treatment of UTI
The urologists treat these diseases through surgical and non-surgical methods as per the condition. The techniques used in urology include a range of surgery, such as robotic and laser-assisted, as well as other procedures. They are qualified in open and minimally invasive surgical techniques. The typical treatment for both simple and complicated urinary tract infections is antibiotics. The kind of antibiotic and period of treatment depend on the conditions.
If Urinary Tract Infections are not treated promptly, they can cause permanent scarring of the urinary tract. In the case of recurring UTIs close monitoring is required from the urologist, as it can become a much bigger problem. UTIs can be prevented to some extent by proper cleaning of the area, drinking plenty of fluids, emptying the bladder regularly and entirely, especially after sexual intercourse.
Preventive measures and early detection is the key to defeat any disease, contact us today to schedule an appointment with the best Urologist doctor in NYC.
Call our offices today at 646-205-3039 to discuss your concerns and to learn what solutions may be available to you.
Conditions Your Urologist Can Treat
Your primary care doctor can treat various health problems, but for diseases like kidney stones or urinary tract infections UTIs, you should consult with the urologist. A urologist can treat every problem associated with male and female urinary tract. Moreover, male with fertility problems can consult with a urologist doctor to get right treatment in this regard. Some of the conditions that a urologist doctor can treat are given below:
Urological Conditions
1. Male and Female Incontinence
Incontinence refers to malfunction of your urinary system. This malfunctioning could be dangerous as it contributes to bladder problem where it loses natural control. This condition is commonly found in women after pregnancy that caused by weak pelvic muscles.
2. Various Kidney Diseases
You can identify kidney diseases via symptoms like swollen ankles, hands, and high blood pressure, etc. If you notice the symptoms consult with your urologist and he can diagnose an actual problem.
3. Ureteral and Kidney Stones
A urologist doctor is trained to treat a condition where small and hard particles from acid salts and minerals formed in the kidney and can travel to ureters if not treated on time.
4. Prostatitis
You can consult with a urologist doctor regarding prostate infection or inflammation that results in painful urination.
5. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
These infections occur when bacteria, present in the digestive tract travel to the urethra. It affects women frequently that you can identify via symptoms such as incontinence, irregular urination, pain, etc.
6. Urologic Oncology
A urologist can treat urological and male reproductive system cancers such as prostate and bladder cancer.
7. Bladder Prolapsed
In this condition, the tissues and muscles of your pelvic floor become unable to support pelvic organs that your urologist doctor can treat effectively.
8. Enlarged Prostate
It happens due to excessive growth of cells in the male prostate gland that result in the narrowed urethra. This condition causes complications during urination. Your urologist doctor can prescribe right treatment in this regard.
9. Painful bladder or Interstitial Cystitis
It is a syndrome where chronic inflammation in your bladder produces constant discomfort that gets intense or sometimes mild. Your urologist doctor can suggest an effective treatment in this regard.
10. Urethral Stricture
It can cause various conditions such as injury, inflammation or infection that create urination problems. If not treated by an experienced urologist, it can result in UTI or prostatitis.
11. Blood during Urination
Blood during urination can cause via various conditions. In some cases, it is not a serious issue; however, you should not ignore it as it could be a symptom of kidney stone or cancer. You need to consult with a urologist to identify the causes regarding this tint in the urine. Also, treatment on right time can save you from a daunting health problem in this regard.
12. Pediatric Urology
You can consult a urologist doctor concerning urological problems in children as well If a primary care physician found them complicated.
Bottom Line
You should never ignore complications during urination as they could be a symptom of major health problem. So, don’t wait and book an appointment immediately with the reliable urologist doctor in New York.
For more information on General Urology click here.
Call our offices today at 646-205-3039 to discuss your concerns and to learn what solutions may be available to you.
5 Signs That You Need to See a Urologist
A primary care doctor may treat various health problems. But for specific disorders or syndromes, you will need to go to a specialist in the respective field. Problems associated with urination such as urinary tract infection shouldn’t be taken lightly and once occurred, it is suggested to opt for a thorough medical checkup.
A urologist is a specialist who is dedicated to treating urinary tract disorders, male and female reproductive system. Moreover, you can also consult with a urologist concerning various problems associated with urinary tract, bladder, kidneys, prostate, sexual dysfunction, fertility, and particular cancers.
In light of this, here are five signs that indicate you need to visit a urologist.
Painful Urination
Infections are utterly irritating and can occur in any part of your urinary tract – which causes painful, burning sensation when you urinate. It is evident that certain infectious bacteria contribute to the painful condition. Therefore, consult with a urologist to get it treated adequately and on time.
Blood during Urination
Blood in your urine indicates a severe problem. This condition is also known as hematuria. However, this disease could be a symptom of urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney stones, or worse – a sign of first level bladder or kidney cancer. Moreover, urologists are specialized in specific cancer diagnoses as well. Hence, consulting with one would be helpful.
Bladder Control Problems
Urinary incontinence is a condition where you struggle with bladder control. It can affect women more as compared to men. However, bladder control problems include leaking, trouble to urinate, urge to urinate frequently, pain during urination, etc. This condition also involves a syndrome called interstitial cystitis – where your bladder always feels full. Moreover, bladder control problems may vary, making it difficult for your primary physician to diagnose, which is why you should consult with a urologist is a wise idea.
In Case of Erectile Dysfunction
Being unable to maintain or achieve an erection is a troubling matter. And it is always advised to directly consult with a urologist instead of waiting for a general care physician to refer you. Erectile dysfunction is one of the most serious health problems that need to be treated as soon as possible. Moreover, other physical or psychological conditions can contribute to the erectile dysfunction that only your urologist can determine with the help of thorough examinations.
Male Infertility Problems
Infertility is a serious health problem in men and women. A urologist can help and suggest treatment in this regard. There are factors like sperm abnormalities, minimum sperm count, improper sperm delivery, erectile dysfunction, etc. that widely contribute to infertility in men. Moreover, in this case, various other aspects such as lifestyle and mental health play an important role as well. However, your urologist will opt for several tests to identify the real reason that causes infertility and to prescribe a reliable solution.
Bottom Line
Visiting a urologist cannot only treat UTI, but it can identify some problems in this regard. So don’t wait and schedule an appointment with the best urologist doctor in New York right now.
Call our offices today at 646-205-3039 to discuss the concern and to learn what solutions may be available to you.
What is a Urinary Tract Infection?
When it comes to common issues your urinary tract may have, a urinary tract infection or a UTI is among the most common on the list. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, urinary tract infections account for over eight million healthcare visits each year.
Anyone can contract this kind of infection, both adults and kids, men and women, but it’s most common in adult women. It is estimated that about 80% of women will get a UTI at least once in their lifetime. Within that group, 20-30% will suffer from recurring UTI’s. So, what is a urinary tract infection, how do you get one, and what can you do about it? Let’s take a look.
What Does a Urinary Tract Infection Mean?
By definition, a urinary tract infection is an infection that takes place in the urethra, bladder, ureters, or kidneys. The reason it is found in these areas is because this is the path the urine travels through. In most cases your urine is sterile, but from time to time you may get a bacterial infection that makes its way into your urine. From there it can grow and start to spread into the urinary tract.
In the majority of cases, the bacteria that is to blame is E.coli or Escherichia coli. This bacterium lives around the anus and in the colon (bowel). When you urinate it usually empties out the bladder, which in turn gets rid of the bacteria. Once the bacteria multiplies, though, urinating isn’t enough.
The most common reason people end up with this infection is from sexual intercourse, or through wiping the wrong way (this relates specifically to women). It is suggested you wipe from front to back so as not to spread the bacteria from the anus closer to the urinary tract. There are other causes as well such as pregnancy, menopause, a suppressed immune system, bowel incontinence, and diabetes.
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
The most common signs of a UTI are abdominal pains and muscle aches, vomiting, nausea, a burning or painful sensation when you urinate, urine that smells or is cloudy, blood in the urine, and a frequent and strong urge to urinate.
What is the Treatment Plan?
Urinary tract infections aren’t something you want to ignore as they can get quite serious very fast. In most cases, antibiotics are given to fight off the infection. If you think you may be suffering from a urinary tract infection, be sure to contact us today in order to schedule an appointment with the best urologist doctor in New York City.
Contact us at 646-205-3039 to schedule a consultation
Bladder Control Problems: How are They Treated?
Bladder control problems sound trivial, but for those affected, it can cause immense psychological distress. Millions of people suffer from some form of incontinence ranging from needing to pee all the time, needing to pee within seconds of experiencing the urge to go, to stress incontinence; an inability to control bladder function.
Many people are too embarrassed to visit a urologist, but there are treatments available for bladder control problems.
Diet
The first thing to try if you suffer from an overactive bladder or urinary urgency is to cut out alcohol, caffeine and anything else that might be triggering your symptoms. For some people, this does the trick.
Medication
For those patients who suffer from an overactive bladder, medication can be effective. Anticholinergic medications block the signals between the bladder and the brain. In a normal person, the bladder only sends a signal to the brain when it’s full. In a person with an overactive bladder, something goes wrong and the brain thinks the bladder is full, even when it’s not.
Speak to your urologist about medications that might help ease the symptoms of an overactive bladder, but be aware that some medications have side-effects.
Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy can be effective if medication isn’t working. It involves re-educating the brain and teaching the sufferer to go longer between trips to the toilet. Instead of reacting to the first bladder contraction and rushing to the nearest restroom, the patient has to wait a bit longer. In time, the urge to urinate lessons and the person is able to make fewer bathroom visits.
Pelvic Floor Therapy
Women with stress incontinence, i.e. an inability to hold urine when exercising, sneezing, or laughing often find their symptoms improve if they perform pelvic floor exercises. Often, bladder control problems are caused by weakness in the pelvic floor muscles, either because of childbirth or the natural aging process. A new treatment called Biofeedback is proving especially effective in pediatric patients.
If none of these treatments are effective, there are surgical options. Botox injections in the bladder can help to reduce urinary urgency by blocking the receptors between the bladder and brain. It is also possible to insert a surgical sling to support the urethra or bladder so it returns to its normal position.
Are you are suffering from bladder control problems? Don’t suffer in silence. Speak to an experienced NYC urologist today and find the right treatment for you.
Call us today at 646.205.3039 to schedule an appointment to meet with the best NYC urologist.
The Most Common Urological Problems in Children
Adults aren’t the only ones who need to see a urologist for disorders that can’t be treated effectively by primary care physicians. The difference in treating and diagnosing a child with a urological problem is that they aren’t as adapted to articulating what their physical symptoms are. If you’re a parent who is wondering if your child needs to see a urologist, here are three of the most common urological issues that adolescents have.
1. Nocturnal Enuresis
Also known as bedwetting, nocturnal enuresis is often hard to diagnose at first because it is very common for small children to have accidents at night. It is only when bedwetting becomes persistent and goes beyond the age of pre-school that a parent and doctor can decide that going to the urologist is in order. Bedwetting can also be related to psychological issues, such as stress or fear. With that said, nocturnal enuresis is still one of the most common childhood urological problems that experts see.
2. Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections are common in adulthood but they’re even more prevalent in kids. Most urologists seeing adolescent urinary tract infection patients will have female children come into their practice as opposed to boys. Female children are also more prone to develop recurrent urinary tract infections that require antibiotics and follow up appointments for positive resolution.
3. Hernia
Hernias can develop before birth but they can also be seen in small children after severe strain or minor injury. Umbilical hernias are rarely reason for concern and generally will heal all the way on their own by the time a child is two years old. Hernias that happen after birth, however, may lead to difficulties urinating and require the assistance of a urologist.
Children can have problems going to the bathroom and need to see a urologist for many different reasons, it’s just that some are more common than others. If your child has been going to elementary school for a few years and is still wetting the bed it might be time to see a urologist. Hernias can be concerning in children especially if they were not pointed out at birth. Lastly, it is natural for children to sometimes have urinary tract infections but they also should clear up within a week on their own and they’re not expected to persist.
Call us today at 646.205.3039 to schedule an appointment to meet with the best NYC urologist.
A Look at the 3 Most Common Prostate Problems
The prostate is one of the male sex organs. It’s shaped like a walnut and is located under the bladder, just ahead of the rectum. It’s a key part of male functionality because it is used both during sexual procreation and urination. Sometimes problems occur with the prostate which are common for men and fairly easy to determine.
Let’s look at what these three problems in detail.
Big Three Prostate Problems
The three issues that come up with the prostate are:
- Prostatitis
- Prostate cancer
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation around the prostate area or the prostate itself. It is medical condition that causes considerable pain.
There are four distinct types:
- Acute bacterial prostatitis
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis
- Chronic pelvic pain syndrome/chronic prostatitis
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
- With asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, there are zero observable symptoms, it causes no major health issues and doesn’t need medical treatment.
Prostatitis is most often seen in men under the age of 50. For those over 50, it’s the third most common prostate problem. About two million Americans seek health care services for prostatitis every year.
Prostate Cancer
For U.S. men, prostate cancer is the second most likely cancer to get. It is also unfortunately the second most likely cancer to lead to early death. The condition affects black men somewhat more than it does white men; it’s also more dangerous to the black population.
There are no symptoms to determine the onset of prostate cancer. When reaching a more advanced stage, urination will sometimes become either weaker or more frequent. However, these same symptoms are evident with men who have benign prostate problems too.
The growth rate of prostate cancer is slow. The onset is most often in the above 65 age group and in this age group few men die from it. It is still unclear whether early detection helps resolve the issue or lengthens lifespan. There are screening tests available for prostate cancer.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (otherwise known as BPH) is an enlargement of the gland itself. It is not cancerous, but the enlargement causes medical issues. The prostate grows twice; once at the onset of puberty and secondly starting at around 25 years old. Growth is then progressive over a man’s life.
Unfortunately, the larger the prostate gets, the more likely it is to come into contact with the urethra. The contact causes related issues such as the bladder not being able to fully empty which in turns causes other health problems and discomfort.
If you have any doubts about your prostate health, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with the best urologist specialist in NYC to get checked out.
Call us today at 646.205.3039 to schedule an appointment to meet with the best NYC urologist.
What are the Symptoms of a Urinary Tract Infection?
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is a miserable experience. UTIs are very common and around 80% of women will experience a UTI at least once in their life. Women are more susceptible to UTIs because they have a short urethra and it’s fairly easy for bacteria to travel the short distance into the bladder, but men are not immune to UTIs. So, what are the symptoms of a UTI and when should you call the doctor?
Painful Urination
The most obvious sign you have a UTI is when it hurts to pee. Does it feel like are peeing broken glass splinters when you visit the restroom? UTIs can be immensely painful. You will probably find you barely pass any urine and the short respite you enjoy after peeing is short-lived.
Increased Urination
eeding to urinate more often than is normal for you is usually the first warning that something is not quite right. As the infection worsens, you may find you are visiting the toilet every few minutes, even though your bladder is empty.
Blood in Your Urine
Blood in your pee is a sign you have an infection. It can be rather alarming to pass blood in your urine but try not to be too concerned. Once the infection clears up, so will the blood. However, always have blood in your pee checked out. Firstly, you will probably need medication to clear the infection, and secondly, blood in urine can be a sign of other, more serious, conditions.
Cloudy, Smelly Urine
Urine looks cloudy when you have a UTI. Normal urine is pale and straw-colored. Infected urine is dark and smells unpleasant because it’s full of bacteria.
Pelvic Pain
A UTI is painful, so you may experience pain in your lower abdomen. Pain caused by a UTI can also indicate a kidney infection, so if you are in a lot of discomfort, speak to your doctor.
Feeling Unwell
Expect to feel unwell when you have a UTI. Your body is fighting an infection, so it’s working overtime and you will not be in good health. Get plenty of rest and take some over-the-counter painkillers if necessary.
In many cases, a UTI will clear up without medical intervention in a few days, but if you are passing blood or you are a man, old, or a child is showing signs of a UTI, consult a doctor immediately. You should also seek medical help if your symptoms don’t clear up in 3-4 days or they return.
Make an appointment with the best urologist in NYC if you are suffering with UTI problems. We can help!
Call us today at 646.205.3039 to schedule an appointment to meet with the best NYC urologist.
Urologic Problems in Men BPH and other urinary issues Incontinence Kidney Stones Sexuality & Hormones Prostatitis Prostate cancer treatment complications Urethral stricture Urological cancers Continue Reading
Urologic Problems in Women Incontinence Mesh Complications Vesico-vaginal fistula Prolapse (dropped bladder) Nocturia Urological cancers Urinary infections Kidney stones Neurogenic bladder Continue Reading