The term "urological diseases" describes a wide range of conditions, all related to the filtration and excretion of urine from the body. These diseases can affect men, women and children of all ages. These diseases affect very specific parts of the body. In women, they affect the urinary tract. In men, they affect the urinary tract or reproductive organs.
Overviews of some of the most common urological diseases
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate. It is an increase in the size of the prostate gland. BPH is very common in older men. It is not directly related to prostate cancer. BPH symptoms are caused by the pressure that a larger prostate can put on the urethra. The urethra is a narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder and out of the body. Men with BPH may experience a frequent urge to urinate. They may also have a weak stream of urine when they go and a feeling that the bladder is not empty after urinating. Your doctor may decide to simply monitor the condition or prescribe medications such as alpha-blockers for treatment. Severe cases can be treated with surgery.
- Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a loss of bladder control. This leads to unwanted urine leakage. This condition can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, but it is far from uncommon. There are a number of things that can cause urinary incontinence. Some of the most common causes include:
- diabetes mellitus
- pregnancy or childbirth
- overactive bladder
- enlarged prostate
- weak bladder muscles
- weak sphincter muscles (muscles that support the urethra)
- urinary tract infections
- diseases, including Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis
- spinal cord injury
- severe constipation
- In some cases, lifestyle changes, such as controlling fluid intake, may be enough to solve the problem. If these approaches prove ineffective, your doctor may suggest surgical techniques to address the underlying cause.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
UTIs are the result of pathogenic bacteria or viruses that enter the urinary tract and cause an infection. They are much more common in women, although men can also get them. Approximately 40 percent of women and 12 percent of men will have a UTI that causes noticeable symptoms at some point in their lives. A burning sensation while urinating is one symptom of a UTI. Others include a frequent urge to urinate and a feeling that the bladder is not completely empty after urinating.
- Kidney stones and ureters
Stones form in the kidneys when there are crystals in the urine and small particles surround and collect on these crystals. Ureteral stones are those that travel from the kidney to the ureter (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder). These stones can block the flow of urine and cause significant pain. Many people end up expelling small stones from the body without medical attention, but larger stones can lead to blockages, which is problematic. In some cases, medical or surgical procedures may be required to remove large stones.
- Other common urological conditions
Some other common urological diseases include:
- prostate cancer
- bladder cancer
- bladder prolapse
- hematuria (blood in the urine)
- erectile dysfunction (ED)
- interstitial cystitis (also called painful bladder syndrome)
- overactive bladder
- prostatitis (swelling of the prostate gland)