What Are The Most Frequently Occurring Urologic Issues?

Urological conditions encompass many issues with the urinary tract and reproductive system. Let’s take a look at some of the most common.

Urological conditions, or urological diseases, can refer to a wide range of issues, all affecting the male and female urinary-tract system, or the male reproductive organs. They can affect men and women of all ages.

The urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, and bladder, and the male reproductive system includes the penis, testicles, and prostate.

Some urologic conditions are acute, meaning they are short-term, while others are chronic, meaning they are long-lasting. At Urology Specialist, we provide the highest quality of care to our patients for the full spectrum of urology-specific problems.

Dr Arianayagam is a highly experienced urologist based in Sydney, and a specialist urological surgeon treating all urologic cancers and other disorders of the urinary system. Here are some of the most common urologic conditions that we treat.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the gradual enlargement of the central portion of the prostate, which results in compression of the urethra and an obstruction to the flow of urine.
This results in the inability to completely void the bladder of urine. It may also increase the frequency and urgency of urination, and this can be particularly uncomfortable at night where multiple trips to the bathroom may be needed.

BPH is sometimes simply referred to as an enlarged prostate and it is very common in men as they get older. Dr Arianayagam has extensive experience in the treatment of enlarged prostate, including TURP and laser prostatectomy.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hard, solid crystals of various sizes formed from the salts in urine. They can be extremely painful, and result in infection and blockages that may cause kidney damage or failure, and other complications in the urinary tract.

They are very common. Roughly 1 in 20 people will experience kidney stones in their life, and they are more prevalent in men. While some kidney stones are quite small and may pass on their own, larger stones will often require surgery to be removed. If there is a blockage from a stone as well as an infection then surgery is also needed. Dr Arianayagam regularly treats kidney stones; he is happy to treat them urgently as he is aware of how much pain stones can cause.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the urinary system, caused by bacteria that have entered the urinary tract. They are very common and are more prevalent in women. Usually, a UTI is confined to the urethra and bladder and can be treated easily. However, early management is necessary to avoid the infection from spreading to the kidneys, which can be much more serious.

Mild urinary tract infections can usually be self-managed or easily treated with a course of antibiotics. See your doctor if you present symptoms. If you suffer frequent UTIs or are experiencing symptoms of a more serious urinary infection, Dr Arianayagam will happily see you.

Hematuria

Hematuria is a blanket medical term for blood in the urine. There are a number of reasons for blood being present in the urine, many of these are benign and should not be a cause for distress. However, everyone should be evaluated as it can be an indicator of a more serious issue.

Common reasons include UTI, kidney infection, cancer, kidney cancer, BPH, and some kind of kidney trauma. In many cases, Dr Arianayagam evaluates patients with hematuria with a check inside the bladder (cystoscopy) where a fine telescope is introduced via the water pipe (urethra). Urine is also tested to assess for abnormal cells, and the kidneys are also scanned.

Prostatitis

Swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland are known as prostatitis. It is caused by either a bacterial or nonbacterial infection and can cause pain, discomfort and difficulty with urination. Differing from prostate cancer or BPH, it can affect men of all ages.

Cancer of the Prostate, Kidney, Bladder, Adrenal Gland and Testes

Cancer develops when abnormal cells start to grow uncontrollably and more rapidly than normal cells. These abnormal cells can sometimes grow outside of an organ and into different parts of the body. A mass of cancerous cells is called a malignant tumour, or more simply, cancer.

Dr Arianayagam has many years of experience treating the full spectrum of urologic cancer. He is a respected oncologist and an expert in the field of robotic surgery, having personally performed over 300 cases. He is also a proctor and expert teacher who has trained many surgeons over the years.

If you have any further questions about common urologic conditions and would like to book an appointment, please call Dr Arianayagam’s office on 1300 307 990 and his staff will be more than happy to assist.