Urology

Urology

1. What is Urology?
2. Which Diseases Does Urology Deal with?
3. Urology Treatment Methods
4. Prevention of Urological Diseases

What is Urology?

Urology is a branch of medicine that deals with diseases of the urinary tract and male reproductive system. Urinary tract diseases, which can occur in both men and women, can affect organs such as the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. Diseases of the male reproductive system include organs such as the prostate, testicles, penis and epididymis.

Which diseases does urology deal with?

• Kidney Stones: Hard mineral deposits that form in the kidneys or urinary tract.
• Urinary Tract Infections: Infections caused by bacteria entering the urinary tract.
• Prostate Diseases: Enlargement of the prostate gland (benign prostatic hyperplasia), inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) and prostate cancer.
• Bladder Diseases: Bladder cancer, bladder inflammation (cystitis) and bladder stones.
• Male Infertility: Problems affecting reproductive health in men.
• Erectile Dysfunction (Impotence): Erection problems in men.
• Urinary Incontinence (Incontinence): Difficulty in urine control.
• Kidney Cancer and Other Kidney Diseases.
• Undescended Testis and Other Pediatric Urology Problems.

Urology Treatment Methods

Medical Treatment

• Antibiotics: Used to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and prostatitis. The appropriate type of antibiotic is chosen according to the type of bacteria causing the infection.
• Alpha Blockers: Used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). These drugs relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making urine flow easier.
• 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors (5-ARIs): These drugs used in the treatment of BPH help shrink the prostate and improve urine flow.
• PDE5 Inhibitors: Used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence). Drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) increase blood flow to the penis and provide an erection.
• Diuretics: In kidney diseases, they help improve kidney function by increasing urine production.

Surgical Treatment

• Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery: These surgeries, which are performed through small incisions, allow patients to recover faster. Laparoscopic nephrectomy (kidney removal), prostatectomy (prostate removal) and pyeloplasty (renal pelvis surgery) can be performed with this method.
• Transurethral Resection (TUR): TURP (Transurethral Prostate Resection) and TURBT (Transurethral Bladder Tumor Resection) are minimally invasive methods used in the treatment of BPH and bladder tumors. These procedures are performed by entering through the urinary tract.
• Lithotripsy: It is a method that breaks kidney stones using shock waves. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) allows the stones to be broken into small pieces with shock waves applied externally.
• Nephrectomy: Surgical removal of the kidney in cases of kidney cancer or other serious kidney diseases. Partial nephrectomy means removing only the part with the tumor, while radical nephrectomy means removing the entire kidney.
• Cystoscopy: Used to examine and treat the inside of the bladder. Removal of bladder tumors, removal of stones and other bladder problems can be treated with cystoscopy.

Other Treatment Methods

• Urine Flow Studies (Uroflowmetry): Used to evaluate urinary tract obstructions and other voiding problems by measuring urine flow rate.
• Urodynamics Tests: Evaluates the function of the bladder and urethra. These tests are performed to determine the cause of urinary incontinence and other lower urinary tract symptoms.
• Physical Therapy and Pelvic Floor Exercises: Used to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. This method is particularly useful for patients with urinary incontinence and pelvic floor disorders.
• Diet and Lifestyle Changes: Especially recommended for kidney stones and some prostate diseases. Drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly play an important role in the prevention and management of urological diseases.
• Laser Treatments: One of the modern methods used especially for breaking kidney stones and prostate treatment.
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy can be used for some types of cancer such as prostate and bladder cancer.

Prevention of Urological Diseases

It is important to adopt healthy living habits to prevent urological diseases. Here are some suggestions:

• Drink plenty of water: Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep the urinary tract healthy.
• Regular Exercise: Physical activity promotes overall health and reduces risk factors such as obesity.
• Healthy Diet: A diet rich in fiber and low in fat and salt should be preferred.
• Regular Checkups: It is especially important for men over the age of 50 not to neglect prostate examinations.