The Pros and Cons of Vasectomy

Penis enhancement surgery is a procedure to correct structural and functional problems of the penis. It may be recommended after an injury, defect, or loss of function. But usually, it is a corrective measure for a micropenis or a buried penis. Both of which cause functional issues with urinating, sexual intercourse, or hygiene.

In rare cases, the procedure may be considered for making the penis longer or larger. It may also be used to make the stomach smaller in order to allow the penis to appear longer and wider. However, surgery to increase the size or width of the penis is medically discouraged. It is a deeply personal decision that requires careful consideration. 

That’s because most men who usually think they have a small penis tend to actually have a normal-sized penis. Also, most of the penis enhancement claims are false and tend to involve techniques and products that may be harmful to the penis.

Alternatives to surgery

  1. Jelqing exercises

Jelqing is a natural penis enlargement exercise involving a hand-over-hand rolling motion to increase blood flow to the head of the penis and stretch the organ. Though a fairly safe practice that can enhance the penis, it is not backed by enough medical studies. And it may lead to pain, irritation, or scar tissue formation if done too often or aggressively.

  1. Pills, potions, and lotions

While there are numerous penile enlargement vitamins, pills, herbal preparations, hormones, and lotions, most of the claims about them aren’t supported by evidence. Some may even interfere or interact with other medications or be harmful to users.

  1. Penile extenders

Penile extenders are non-invasive devices that use traction to stretch the penis. Studies have reported that extenders help to increase the length of a flaccid penis by more than 1.5 centimeters after 3 months of use. 

But more research is necessary to assess their safety and effectiveness. Plus, they are uncomfortable and cumbersome to use, and can overstretch the penis causing nerve damage, bruising, or blood clots.

  1. Vacuum pump

Though they are designed to treat erectile dysfunction, some people use them to occasionally “exercise” and stretch their penis. In the process, they can trigger tissue damage and cause erectile problems.

  1. Clamps and rings

Clamps and rings are used by some people to stretch and elongate their penis. The devices are placed around the base of an erect penis to reduce blood flow out of the penis. While wearing one of these devices may temporarily enlarge the penis, having it on for more than 30 minutes may cut off blood flow and damage penile tissues.

What are the pros and cons of penile enhancement surgery?

Typically, a urologist recommends penile enhancement surgery to correct an injury, treat a defect, or improve function of the organ. Only in very rare cases can the doctor recommend surgery to increase the length or width of the penis.  

That’s because penis enhancement surgery comes with the risk of serious complications such as scarring, pain, infection, loss of penile sensation, and erectile dysfunction. 

Pros of penis enhancement surgery

  1. Helps to correct a micropenis – defined as a very small penis. A micropenis is a condition you’re born with, but which needs correction because it causes functional problems. 
  2. Helps to correct a buried penis – defined as a penis buried under the skin from your stomach, thighs or scrotum. A buried penis can be a congenital condition or a result of aging.
  3. Helps to restore a functional penis by correction of penile abnormalities caused by injuries or disease. Penile abnormalities may make it difficult to urinate while standing up or hinder penetrative sexual intercourse.
  4. Helps to achieve a satisfactory appearance of the penis, particularly in those with persistent, bothersome, and embarrassing concerns about their penis size or width.
  5. Helps to create a new sense of masculinity and sexual potency, which in turn improves personal relationships, overall mood, and productivity in daily work.
  6. Helps to increase confidence and self-esteem by achieving a penis length and girth that meets personal goals and expectations.

Cons of penis enhancement

  1. Is associated with surgery risks such possible infection, bleeding, or damage to nerve endings.
  2. There may be adverse reactions to anesthesia.
  3. It may produce a lop-sided penis appearance, where the penis seems to hang from the scrotum instead of from the abdomen.
  4. Fat used to widen or enlarge the penis can be reabsorbed, which eventually reduces the width of the enhanced penis.

Safe, effective penis enhancement 

At St Pete Urology, we perform penis enhancement surgery on a regular basis to correct congenital and acquired micropenis. The goal of the surgery is usually to restore a functional penis size in order to achieve normal standing urination, satisfying sexual intercourse, and enhanced quality of life.  

Occasionally, we perform penis enhancement procedure on men with normal length penises, but who perceive themselves to have small ones—something that is usually a psychological condition. But for such a procedure, a lot more consultations and a multidisciplinary approach are usually necessary to come up with a highly individualized surgery that meets patient goals and expectations.

For more information on penis enhancement and other procedures for treating urologic disorders, visit the site “St Pete Urology.”

Why do I get recurring urinary tract infections?

You can contract a urinary tract infection (UTI) at any point in your life. A urinary tract infection refers to entry of bacteria into the urinary tract via the urethra and then the subsequent multiplication and spreading to the urinary system, which leads to illness. The three most common UTIs are cystitis, urethritis, and pyelonephritis.

Urethritis is an infection of the urethra. It occurs when bacteria reaches the urethra and multiply there without progressing to deeper parts of the urinary tract. Cystitis is an infection of the bladder, which results when bacteria enter via the urethra and move into the bladder where it multiplies and causes disease. 

Pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidney.  It is triggered by the backward flow of infected urine from the bladder into the kidneys. But it can also be due to an infection in the bloodstream that ultimately reaches the kidneys.

Most urinary tract infections resolve without treatment. However, a number of them require antibiotic treatment.  When a urinary tract infection reappears 2 or more times within 6 months, it is said to be recurrent. A recurrent UTI may also be an infection that occurs at least 3 times per year. Failure to promptly and decisively treat recurrent UTIs can lead to kidney damage.

What are the causes of recurrent urinary tract infections?

  1. Underlying health issues

The risk of recurrent urinary tract infections increases with certain health conditions. For instance, you’re likely to have recurrent UTI if you have suppressed immunity, certain autoimmune diseases, neurological disorders, urinary stones, an enlarged prostate, or a chronic health condition like diabetes.

Also, you are more susceptible to recurrent UTI if you have had surgery on any part of your urinary tract, which produces scar tissue or an alteration in anatomy. Having a catheter and going through menopause also increase the risk of recurrent UTIs.

  1. Genetics

The risk of recurrent UTIs is higher if you have cells that are naturally more receptive to bacteria. A number of studies have shown that due to genetics some people have cell receptors that favor bacteria causing UTIs. For such people, it is difficult to flush out these bacteria from the urinary tract, which in turn predisposes them to recurrent bladder and kidney infections.

  1. Sex

Women have a higher risk of recurrent urinary tract infections than men. That’s because women have a shorter urethra than men and therefore have the urethra located nearer the vaginal opening. More bacteria reach the urethra in women and are more likely to spread to the bladder and kidneys than in men.

  1. Poor bathroom habits

There are a large number of bacteria in feces.  And when these bacteria in stool reach the urethra, they can cause urinary tract infections. That is why bathroom habits matter. And also why, after passing stool, women should wipe the anus from the front back to minimize the risk of fecal matter or bacteria moving from the anus into the urethra.

Also, bacterial transfer to the urethra increases in a dirty, moist environment. So it is important to be clean and dry before pulling your underwear back in place after peeing or passing stool. This prevents fecal matter from landing on the underwear and spreading when the underwear moves as you walk, sit or exercise.

  1. Sexual activity

Bacteria tend to spread easily during sexual activity. They can spread from your partner’s finger, tongue or genitals. They can also spread from sex toys. Plus, your own bacteria can spread from the vagina, penis or anus into the urethra. Likewise, items used during sex, such as spermicides, diaphragms and condoms increase the risk of recurrent UTIs.

Practicing good hygiene before and after sexual activity—such as cleaning sex toys before and after using them—can really minimize the risk of recurrent UTIs. Passing urine soon after sexual activity also helps to flush out errant bacteria. Speaking with your doctor about alternatives to spermicides and diaphragms can equally help with recurrent urinary tract infections.

What should you do to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections?

When struggling with recurrent UTIs, speak with your doctor about it. Apart from prescribing appropriate antibiotic treatment, the doctor may refer you to a urologist—a specialist in diseases and problems of the urinary system—to better pinpoint the cause and provide the most appropriate treatment.

Besides, you can take the following steps to prevent recurrent UTIs:

  1. Drinking plenty of water, advisably 8-10 glasses of water per day, to help you flush out bacteria from the urinary tract.
  2. Going to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge to pee as holding urine can create a favorable environment for spread and multiplication of bacteria. 
  3. Avoiding scented products, like sprays, douches, and powders that can irritate your urethra and predispose your urinary tract to infections.
  4. Emptying your bladder soon after sexual activity to help you flush out errant bacteria.
  5. Considering vaginal estrogen therapy after menopause to help keep healthy reproductive and urinary systems.
  6. Using alternative contraception that does not include spermicides, diaphragm or condoms.
  7. Proper wiping, particularly for women and girls, after using the toilet to reduce exposure of the urethra to UTI-causing bacteria found in poop.

Patient-friendly, compassionate treatment of urological disorders

Urinary problems can be both distressing and embarrassing. You may even find it difficult to speak about them. At St Pete Urology, we offer a pleasant, empathetic urological care to enable you to speak freely about your urinary tract infections and other urological disorders in order to ensure prompt, accurate diagnosis and treatment.

For more information on recurrent urinary tract infections and other urological disorders, visit the site “St Pete Urology.”

Does your diet affect UTI?

Diet is generally critical in the prevention, treatment and recovery from urinary tract infections (UTIs). Some diets boost immunity and protect against UTIs while others reduce irritation in the urinary tract and hasten the healing process. Still some diets help to shed off bacteria and lower the risk of UTIs altogether.

So how does your diet affect UTI?

  1. Plant-based diet

Studies have shown that plant-based diets lower the risk of developing urinary tract infections. In a 2020 study where 9,724 Buddhists were followed over a period of 9 years, it was reported that their vegetarian dietary pattern helped to lower their risk of UTIs by 16 percent.

But how does the vegetarian dietary pattern work? It works in two ways: by preventing bacterial growth and proliferation and by eliminating bacterial reservoirs. 

Firstly, a vegetarian diet has low potential renal acid loads (PRALs). As a result, vegetables and fruits make urine less acidic and can prevent the growth of bacteria associated with UTIs.

On the contrary, red meat and other animal proteins have higher potential renal acid loads (PRALs). Therefore a regular diet rich in animal proteins leads to urine that is more acidic and that promotes urinary tract infections.

Secondly, a vegetarian diet pattern avoids foods that are reservoirs for the bacterial strains of E. coli called Extra-Intestinal Pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC). Since these bacteria account for 65-75 percent of urinary tract infections, eliminating their reservoirs prevents UTIs.

In contrast, animal meat, such as poultry and pork, are reservoirs of extra-intestinal pathogenic E. coli. And the frequent consumption of animal-based proteins increases the risk of UTIs.

  1. Yogurt and other fermented products

Regular consumption of yogurt or other fermented dairy products reduces the risk of urinary tract infections by up to 80 percent. That’s because yogurt contains good bacteria, called live and active cultures.  

When these bacteria reach your digestive and urinary tract, they crowd out and inhibit the growth of UTI-causing bacteria. The bacterial cultures in yogurt also boost immunity. 

Fortunately, these bacteria are never killed by the freezing process. Instead, they only undergo a dormancy state. When eaten and restored to a warm temperature within the body, the bacteria become active and provide protection to the urinary tract.

  1. Berries and fresh fruit juices

Frequent drinking of fresh berry juice lowers the risk of UTIs by up to 50-percent. Berries such as cranberries, raspberries, blueberries and other berries contain the phytochemical called pro-anthocyanidins, which reduces the ability of E. coli bacteria to adhere to the urinary tract walls.

Therefore, fresh berry juice makes it easier to flush out bacteria responsible for UTIs by destroying their capacity to adhere to the lining of the urinary tract. A great way of consuming large amounts of berries in your diet is through smoothies. 

  1. Foods rich in vitamin C

Foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, lemons, strawberries, and green leafy vegetables, help to change urine pH. The change in acidity of urine prevents bacteria from growing in urine. Vitamin C also boosts immunity and speeds healing.

  1. Fiber-packed foods

Fiber is a critical stimulator of bowel movement. Hence, including bananas and other high-fiber foods in your diet can help you prevent UTIs by encouraging regular bowel movement and minimizing pressure on urine flow.

  1. Increased hydration

Increased water and fluid intake is a dietary measure that prevents UTIs. In fact, drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day lowers the risk of UTIs by up to 40-percent. The high volume of water makes it more efficient to flush out bacteria from the urinary tract. 

  1. Cutting down on bladder irritants

Drinking cola soft drinks increases the risk of UTIs by at least 10-percent. According to a 1985 study that involved 225 women, beverages such as soda trigger or worsen urinary symptoms and in turn increase the risk of UTIs.

Like soda, bladder irritants, such as coffee, tea, alcohol, artificially sweetened drinks, and carbonated beverages amplify the risk of lower UT symptoms, such as urinary urgency and frequency, which increase the risk of urinary tract infections.

Timely, effective treatment of UTIs

Are you experiencing frequent urinary symptoms? Would you like a permanent solution to your recurrent urinary tract infection? 

At St Pete Urology, we offer prompt, accurate diagnosis and treatment of UTIs.  Our objective is to always provide proper treatment of UTIs to prevent serious complications, such as urosepsis and kidney damage, which are potentially life-threatening.

For more information on the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections and other urological problems, visit the site “St Pete Urology.”

What are the Success Rates of a Vasectomy Reversal?

A vasectomy reversal is the surgical procedure to undo a vasectomy.  The operation involves reconnecting each vas deferens that was cut and sealed off during vasectomy. Once reconnected, each vas deferens becomes a channel through which sperm can again pass through from the testicle into the semen.

The reversal procedure is a more difficult and delicate procedure compared to the vasectomy. It is performed with the aid of a powerful surgical microscope that helps to magnify the vas deferens by as much as forty times in size. And most importantly, the surgery demands a high degree of skill and experience to carry out.

What is a successful vasectomy reversal?

A successful vasectomy reversal not only restores sperm in semen, but also enables a man to get his partner pregnant. Many men undergo the reversal procedure due to loss of a child, change of heart or remarriage and with their motivation being the opportunity to have more children. 

So the measure of a successful reversal is fundamentally on whether or not a man is able to make his partner pregnant. Unfortunately, this is not a straightforward measure as many factors are involved in achieving a pregnancy. 

For instance, getting a pregnancy depends on the man’s age, age of his partner, and on the health and motility of his sperm.  This means that having a vasectomy reversal after the age of 50 years when the number of healthy sperm and their motility has reduced significantly may not be successful. In contrast, having a vasectomy reversal done when a man is younger and with a younger partner may increase the chances of success of the procedure.

Success of a vasectomy reversal also depends on the type of vasectomy procedure a man had and how long it has been in place. The more time after a vasectomy, the more likely you are to develop scar tissue in the vas deferens that will make it difficult to have sperm pass through the tube and reach semen.

What are the success rates of a vasectomy reversal?

The success rates of vasectomy reversal range from 10-90 percent depending on the type of procedure, time that has elapsed since the vasectomy, age of the partner, the surgeon’s experience and training, and whether you had fertility issues before the vasectomy. 

When the reversal procedure is done soon after the vasectomy, the chances of success are quite high. In fact, if a vasectomy is reversed within 10 years after the procedure, there is more than 95-percent possibility of having sperm back in the ejaculate and over 50-percent chance of achieving pregnancy. But a reversal performed more than 15 years after the vasectomy has a lower potential of restoring sperm back in semen and as low as 30-percent rate of pregnancy.

Success rates of vasectomy are:

  1. Up to 97 percent success rate of sperm in semen and 76-percent rate of pregnancy when reversal is done within 3 years after the vasectomy.
  2. Up to 88 percent success rate of sperm in semen and 55 percent rate of pregnancy when reversal is done between 3-8 years after the vasectomy.
  3. Up to 79 percent success rate of sperm in semen and 44 percent pregnancy rate when the reversal is done 9-14 years after the vasectomy.
  4. Up to 71 percent success rate of sperm in semen and 30 percent rate of pregnancy when the reversal is done 15-19 years after the vasectomy.
  5. Up to 52-percent sperm in semen and less than 10 percent rate of pregnancy when the reversal is done after 20 years since the vasectomy.

The reversal technique used and its eventual success depend on the part where the surgeon finds sperm during the procedure. If the surgeon finds sperm within the blocked vas deferens, the vasectomy is reversed by simply reconnecting the two ends of the vas deferens back together. This is a simple procedure that offers 75-97 percent chance of restoring sperm in semen and over 50 percent chance of achieving pregnancy.

But when there is no sperm in the tubes, which is often due to a blockage nearer the testicles, the surgeon will often perform the vasoepididymostomy procedure. During vasoepididymostomy, the vas deferens is connected to the epididymis. This procedure gives a 58-85 percent success in having sperm in semen and produces an average 34 percent rate of pregnancy.

For more information on vasectomy and vasectomy reversal, visit the site “St Pete Urology.”

6 Urology Wellness Tips

Urological health is critical for overall health. The urinary system is made up of the kidneys, renal pelvis, bladder, ureters, and urethra—organs that are crucial in filtering your blood and creating urine. 

With a healthy urinary system, your body is able to efficiently remove waste products of metabolism and balance body fluids and electrolytes.  The body is also able to release hormones that control blood pressure and red blood cell production and to regulate calcium and phosphorous levels for healthy bones and teeth.

While many urological conditions are usually not life-threatening, they can dramatically affect quality of life. For instance, common conditions such as urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and interstitial cystitis can be embarrassing, forcing you to have a limited social life.

Therefore, by keeping a healthy urinary system, you can prevent these awkward conditions, improve your quality of life and boost your overall health.

What are the 6 must-know urology wellness tips?

  1. Drinking plenty of water

Drinking enough water keeps your body hydrated and helps to flush out wastes and bacteria. In turn, this supports a normal functioning of organs of the urinary tract.

For instance, flushing out wastes prevents build up of minerals in urine and reduces the risk of kidney stones. This is especially important in hot climates like Florida. Likewise, washing out bacteria from the urinary tract prevents potential urinary tract infections that may result from bacterial multiplication in the urethra, bladder and kidney.

Just how much water is enough? Drinking 6-8 cups of water per day is considered sufficient for proper hydration.  But you may need to increase your water intake depending on the weather and your activity level. In the summer, you can sweat up to 2 liters an hour during physical activity. So drinking 9-13 cups of water in the summer is recommended.

  1. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight

A healthy, balanced diet can prevent a number of urological problems.  For example, reducing the amount of fat in your diet can lead to overall reduction of accumulated visceral fat around your vital organs. This helps to curb medical conditions like heart disease, type II diabetes, fatty liver, and poor urological health.

Similarly, since being obese or overweight can result in a heavy abdomen that puts extra pressure on your bladder, cutting down your weight is good for your urological health. In fact, losing weight is a very effective way of preventing urinary incontinence.

  1. Taking regular exercise

When you maintain an active lifestyle, you can keep your vital organs functioning optimally and ensure good urological health. Regular exercise also improves symptoms of urinary problems, such as pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence.

For example, including Kegel exercises in your routine can help to train your pelvic floor muscles. You can do so by performing these exercises 2-3 times or more per day. 

And since pelvic floor muscles support the bladder and bowel, retraining them helps to relieve urinary incontinence, ease pelvic organ prolapse, alleviate overactive bladder, and boost sexual vitality.

  1. Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake

Certain foods and beverages have the ability to upset your urinary system. For instance, caffeine tends to upset the bladder and trigger urinary incontinence. So it is prudent to reduce your intake of coffee, tea, and even cola to prevent heightened bladder activity that may result in urine leakage.

Spicy and acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, can irritate the bladder. Reducing their consumption or replacing them with natural remedies like cranberry juice that support urological health is therefore good for your urological health.

Equally, alcohol is a diuretic. That means it promotes loss of water from the body and speeds up dehydration. With increased dehydration, there is a higher concentration of minerals and salts in your urine, which can cause kidney stones. 

Limiting your alcohol intake is good for your urinary system. But if you have to drink alcohol, accompanying it with plain water is recommended.

  1. Quit smoking

Cigarette smoking is a contributor to urological ailments like kidney stones, interstitial cystitis, infertility, bladder cancer, and kidney cancer. In fact, using tobacco is a major factor in bladder cancer—smokers are 2-3 times more likely to have bladder cancer than non-smokers. So quit smoking to protect your urological health.

Also, getting enough sunshine is good for your urinary system. The ultraviolet light from the sun helps to make vitamin D. Since low levels of Vitamin D increases the risk of various urological issues, including enlarged prostate, overactive bladder, urinary tract infections, being in the sun often will protect your urological health.

  1. Monitor your urine for clues

Thirst is one of the most frequent signs of dehydration. And there are other signs such as fatigue and dizziness.  However, before your body dehydration level is too high, your urine will already be showing signs.

Normal, well-hydrated urine is clear to pale yellow. But when you are dehydrated, the color changes to honey or golden colored. So by monitoring the color of urine, you can tell when you are dehydrated and need more water.

Urine that is orange or pink often means you have hematuria (blood in urine). Hematuria can be due to an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or bladder cancer. Speak with your doctor when you notice an abnormal urine color that persists for 2 or more days.

Would you like to speak with a urologist about your urological health? At St Pete Urology we offer world-class diagnosis and treatment of urological disorders. 

Our experienced urologists apply the latest tools and techniques to deliver safe, timely and effective urological care. For more information on how to care for your urinary system, visit the site “St Pete Urology.”

How Our Urinary Systems Age With Us

Your urinary system often reflects your overall health. 

A healthy urinary system works to filter blood and to remove toxins and wastes produced in the body through urine. It also helps to maintain the balance of water, minerals and salts in your blood. Plus, it enables your body to make red cells and regulate blood pressure.

By removing wastes and toxins and regulating fluids and electrolytes, the urinary system helps the body regulate itself and work properly. That is why it’s essential to protect your urinary health as a way of improving your overall health as you age.

In fact, if you take common sense steps early in life to protect your urinary health it will significantly contribute to good overall health later in life especially after the age of 40 years. 

So how does your urinary system age with you?

  1. Kidneys

The number of cells in your kidneys decrease once you’re 40 years or older. This results in thickening of the connective tissue capsule surrounding the kidney and a reduction in the thickness of the cortical region.

The loss of cells causes loss in glomeruli function. And because the glomeruli are responsible for filtration, loss of function of the glomeruli leads to a natural yet gradual decline of kidney function. 

Between the ages of 30 and 40 years, the rate of filtration in your kidneys begins to slowly decline, the size of the kidneys begins to reduce and the arteries supplying blood to the kidneys begin to narrow.  In turn, your kidneys become more susceptible to injury and kidney disease.

  1. Bladder

The walls of your bladder and urethra are made of smooth muscles. As you grow older, the muscle tissue weakens and becomes less elastic. In turn, the capacity of your bladder reduces, resulting in difficulty to fully evacuate during urination.

Likewise, the bladder wall generally becomes stiffer as you grow older. This reduces the bladder’s ability to hold as much urine as your younger self. And as your ability to hold urine reduces, you end up urinating more often with a higher risk of urinary tract infections.

Accidental urine leakage results from muscle weakness in the bladder and is more frequent in older people, especially women. More than 50-percent of people aged 65 and older have urinary incontinence symptoms. 

By the time you are 80 years or older, bladder control may be sufficiently diminished that many find themselves waking to pass urine during the night. 

Various age-related causes of urinary incontinence include: 

  • Weak pelvic floor muscles
  • Nerve damage
  • Urinary tract infections
  • An enlarged prostate (in men)

The most common treatment options for urinary incontinence are surgery and targeted nerve stimulation. 

Another age-related urinary system condition is bladder cancer. Though the disease is not very common, the chance of having it increases with age. In fact, over 70-percent of cases of the cancer are diagnosed in people who are 65 years or older. 

Risk factors include exposure to carcinogens, tobacco smoking, and radiation. The most common symptoms are blood in urine (hematuria) and pain during urination. It is advisable to speak with a urologist if you experience these symptoms.

  1. Urethra

After the age of 40 years, your risk of having urinary tract infections increases due to changes in the urethra. The infections may occur when bacteria invade the urethra, multiply and spread to the upper parts of the urinary system such as bladder and kidneys.

While urinary tract infections are more commonly a concern in aging women, it can also be a problem for men. More than 50-percent of women have urinary tract infections at least once in their lifetime as opposed to just 3-percent of men.

Advancing age is also a factor in UTIs as a result of general immunity weakening with age. Plus, the infections may be more frequent in older people due to urinary incontinence and retention. When not treated promptly, infections that begin in the urethra can in some cases lead to kidney infections and even sepsis.

  1. Prostate 

The prostate is not a urinary organ; it is part of the male reproductive system. However, changes in the prostate result in problems in the urinary system. This is largely due to the prostate gland gradually enlarging after the age of 40 years and leading to extra pressure applied to the bladder, blocking urine flow.

More than 30-percent of men aged 50 years or older require treatment for an enlarged prostate (BPH) while up to 90-percent of men aged 80 years have an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate is not cancer, but it is associated with bothersome health issues, such as urinary tract infections, kidney infections, urinary incontinence and bladder damage.

The most common symptoms of BPH are change in urination, inability to start to pee, and a weak urine stream. Speak with your urologist about BPH symptoms as soon as they start in order to get prompt, effective treatment.

Timely urological care

To prevent age-related urinary issues, consider making regular visits to your urologist. The doctor is a specialist with the skills and experience to assess your specific symptoms, ask the right questions, make the appropriate diagnosis and find the right treatment options. 

Speak with your urologist as soon as possible to get the right medications or minimally invasive treatment for relief of the symptoms. For more information on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of urological disorders, visit the site “St Pete Urology.”

Common Bladder Control Problems

Tonight we’re going to talk about bowel and bladder control primarily. So Dr. Graves and I both actually trained together at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and we’ve been each practicing for close to 10 years. And we’ve had five years of urology training in residency and med school before that.

And the topic tonight is something that we do have a lot of focus in and enjoy taking care of and have specialty in. All right so there’s three kind of categories to kind of simplify this about bladder control issues. One is stress incontinence and I’ll describe that more in the next slides. The second is urinary retention which is the inability to actually get urine out where the urine is trapped in the bladder and you can’t fully empty the bladder and the third is overactive bladder. 

So stress incontinence is the kind of incontinence that some patients can have in which when you increase the pressure on the bladder it overcomes the ability of the sphincter to control the urine. So sneezing, coughing, laughing, standing up real quick after you’ve been sitting for a while, climbing up things like stairs, exercising and then you get a dribble or even sometimes a full emptying of the bladder as you do those activities so that’s deemed stress incontinence. And that is an issue typically with the sphincter itself and the pelvic floor with the inability to control the bladder from emptying. And that’s an issue that some women have with age or after childbirth that can occur. In regards to men that would be something that sometimes we see after prostate type procedures and then also you know something with the age that can occur. In regards to urinary retention that’s when you can’t fully empty your bladder. Sometimes patients will show up with to the emergency room or our office with the inability to empty their bladder and they need a catheter put in to drain the bladder. Other times it could be a slow chronic situation where they don’t empty the bladder fully and it builds up into a inability to empty. That’s actually dangerous because you’re not able to clear all the toxins out of your body and you can get infections or kidney failure, this is something that’s important to tease out. Usually in these cases you can have leaking but the main symptom is difficulty emptying and a weak stream. And then overactive bladder is is a quite common situation in which you have a bladder that isn’t able to hold urine for the amount of time it should in between urination. So you get frequent trips to the bathroom with strong urges to pee even though you just urinated, went to the bathroom and peed you know 20 minutes 30 minutes later you feel like you got to go again and are heading back to the bathroom. And that can sometimes progress into urge incontinence which is a type of leaking of urine as opposed to the stress incontinence where you sneeze cough strain and leak this is where you get a strong urge to pee and you can’t hold it back and then you end up having a leak before you make it to the bathroom in time.

And then a different kind of incontinence would be this fecal incontinence which is basically bowel incontinence and this is not urinary incontinence but a situation in which you have control issues with having bowel movements. So you can actually have loss of control where you have accidents with your stool sometimes that could be this like a strong urge that you cannot control or other times it’s a loss of feeling that you have to go and you can have either small accidents or a full incontinent episode with fecal incontinence

What’s the healthiest urine color?

Urine is liquid waste made by your kidneys as they filter toxins and potentially harmful waste from your blood. 

It is primarily made of water, chemicals (ammonia, creatinine, urea, uric acid), inorganic salts, pigments, and electrolytes (like potassium and phosphorous). 

Its color depends on a variety of factors, including illness, food, and medications. And it can give a picture of your overall health.

So what is the healthiest urine color?

Generally, the healthiest urine color is pale or light yellow to gold. The yellow color is due to the pigment urochrome, an end product of the breakdown of hemoglobin found in blood. Of course, the level of urochrome in the urine will make the urine appear either light yellow or dark yellow. 

When the urine is clear or has no color, it typically means you’re drinking excessive liquid or perhaps taking a drug known as a diuretic which stimulates your body to get rid of fluid. 

With clear urine indicating over-hydration and your body attempting to get rid of excess water, you only need to stop drinking too much and to drink only when next you feel thirsty for your urine to return to light yellow.

Dark yellow, honey-colored, or brown-colored urine indicates that you’re probably dehydrated and need to drink more fluid. Though it could also be a warning that you have a liver problem and need to see your doctor if it does not get better in a few days. 

Equally, dark yellow urine is common in the morning because you’ve perhaps taken too long without hydrating. When you have dark yellow urine, drink some water and limit dehydrating foods and drinks.

What urine colors are abnormal?

  1. Orange

Orange urine color may be a sign that you are dehydrated. But it can also be the result of high-doses of vitamins B12 and C, the urinary tract infection drug phenazopyridine, the antibiotic isoniazid, or a problem with your liver or bile duct. 

Speak with your doctor if your urine is constantly orange colored. Also, be aware of the medications and vitamins you’re taking.

  1. Blue or green 

A green or blue colored urine is often a side effect of certain vitamins, food dyes, the anesthetic propofol, the asthma medicine promethazine, or the medicine methylene blue. 

Only a few rare medical conditions turn urine green or blue in color so inform your doctor about a blue or green urine color that doesn’t go away.

  1. Red or pink

Unless you’re taking a drug like antibiotic rifampin or the UTI drug phenazopyridine or you’ve eaten beets, carrots, blackberries, or rhubarb recently, having pink or red urine indicates blood in urine. In fact, if the urine has a thick, blood-like consistency, then that is abnormal and requires urgent attention. 

Generally, anything red should be alarming and could be a sign of kidney stones, kidney disease, prostate problems, urinary tract infection, or a more serious problem like bladder cancer. Of course, for women, when menstruating, then menstrual blood can mix with urine.  But with red or pink urine, you should call your physician or urologist immediately to be examined. 

  1. Brown urine

When urine is brown, it might indicate fistula between the urinary tract and the rectum or bowels. It may also mean blood in urine, kidney disease, liver disease, or an infection. Speak with your doctor about brown urine color that doesn’t go away.

  1. Turbid or foamy urine

No matter the color of your urine, you should visit your doctor if it is foamy, frothy or cloudy. Turbid urine may be a sign that you have protein in your urine, which may mean a problem with your kidneys. Or it may indicate that you have an infection. 

Nevertheless, smelly or cloudy urine alone should not be interpreted to mean urinary tract infection, as only a visit to your doctor and a subsequent analysis can reveal that.

When should you seek medical help?

You should never be afraid to bring up questions with your doctor when you have abnormal urine color. If you believe the alarming urine color is due to a new supplement or medication, your doctor will change it or instruct you to stop taking it. Then, your doctor will encourage you to track your urine to see if or how its color changes.  Your doctor will also request for a sample of your urine for analysis, particularly if it is pink, brown, red, or smells strangely.

Make sure to inform your doctor about any new symptoms, especially if it lasts more than a day or comes with a fever, vomiting, back or side pain, discharge, or feeling very thirsty. For more information on the diagnosis and treatment of urinary issues, visit the site “St Pete Urology.”

Ways to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy

Having healthy kidneys is important for your general health and well-being. The kidneys are vital organs that filter out waste products, excess water and other impurities from your blood. Once removed from blood, the wastes are temporarily stored in your bladder before expulsion in urine. 

But your kidneys also regulate your blood pH, control body potassium levels, and produce hormones that control red blood cell production and blood pressure regulation. Plus, your kidneys activate a form of vitamin D that helps in absorption of calcium for regulating muscle function and building bones.

So it’s important to keep your kidneys healthy in order to filter and expel waste properly and to produce the necessary hormones for proper body function.

Here are 8 ways to keep your kidneys healthy

  1. Drink plenty of water

Drinking enough water regularly and consistently helps you stay hydrated. It also promotes waste removal in urine and ensures healthy kidneys. 

Likewise, with more water intake, you’ll clear up sodium and toxins from your kidneys and reduce your risk of chronic kidney disease.

Although the amount of water you need depends on your lifestyle, overall health, climate, gender, exercise level and whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should aim for 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day. 

And if you’ve previously had kidney stones, you need to drink even more water to prevent future stone formation.

  1. Eat a healthy diet and monitor your weight

For healthy kidneys, you need a balanced diet that is low in sodium, processed meats, and other kidney-damaging foods. 

In fact, a focus on fresh ingredients with low sodium content, such as whole grains, fish, blueberries, and cauliflower will help reduce the risk of kidney disease.

Likewise, maintaining a healthy weight will help avoid issues such as heart disease and diabetes that can result in kidney damage. That’s because people who are obese or overweight have higher risk of kidney damage than the rest of the population.

  1. Maintain an active lifestyle and a physically fit body

Regular exercise helps to reduce the risk of chronic kidney disease. Plus, it lowers blood pressure and boosts heart health, both of which prevent kidney damage. 

Whether you have a demanding daily routine or not, you can still find an activity that you enjoy and can do frequently.  You can walk, run, cycle, or dance for 15-30 minutes every day for at least 3 days a week and help to keep your kidney healthy.

With exercise and physical fitness, the key is finding an activity that you can stick to, no matter how simple. In the long run, it will be good for your kidneys.

  1. Control your blood sugar level

Diabetes and other conditions characterized by high blood sugar may result in kidney damage. The consistently excess sugar in your blood will compel your kidneys to work extra hard to filter your blood, causing an exertion that can lead to life-threatening kidney damage. 

So cut your daily sugar intake. Undergo regular blood sugar tests to monitor your sugar level. And if your sugar level is constantly high, follow the treatment regime prescribed by your doctor. 

  1. Check your blood pressure

Having a normal blood pressure is good for your kidney. High blood pressure can cause kidney damage, especially if it occurs alongside other health issues like heart disease, high cholesterol, or diabetes.

A healthy blood pressure is 120/80 while pre-hypertension is 120/80 to 139/89. When your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90, you may have hypertension.

Make sure to check your blood pressure regularly. Speak with your doctor about a constantly elevated blood pressure and ask for advice on the dietary and lifestyle changes you need to make to lower it.  Your doctor may also prescribe medication to help you manage your blood pressure.

  1. Avoid smoking

Smoking damages blood vessels and results in slower blood flow throughout your body and to your kidneys. In turn, this can cause kidney damage. Smoking also increases the risk of kidney cancer. 

If you’re already smoking, you need to quit. If you find quitting difficult, seek for help. By quitting smoking, you improve your kidney health and reduce the risk of chronic health disorders.

  1. Minimize over-the-counter pills

Taking over-the-counter (OTC) medications regularly increases the risk of kidney damage. 

For instance, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such ibuprofen and naproxen, may trigger kidney damage when taken regularly for arthritis, headaches, and chronic pain.

 So if you have an issue that requires regular intake of pain-relieving and other medicines, you should speak with your doctor about kidney-safe options. 

  1. Undergo kidney function tests 

Early detection of kidney disease or damage helps to prevent further damage and complications. Hence, if you’re at high risk of kidney problems, it is prudent to have regular kidney function tests.

 The tests will help indicate your current kidney health and reveal possible changes, helping you to take remedial measures to slow or prevent further damage.

You should undergo regular kidney testing if you:

  1. Are over 60 years or older
  2. Are obese
  3. Have a family history of high blood pressure
  4. Have cardiovascular disease
  5. Have family history of cardiovascular disease
  6. Believe that you have kidney damage
  7. Were born at a low birth weight

What health problems are commonly associated with kidneys?

More than 10-percent of Americans over the age of 20 years have some kind of kidney disease. Unfortunately, some forms of kidney issues are progressive, getting worse over time.  

The most common kidney problems include:

  1. Urinary tract infections

This is a bacterial infection of any part of your urinary system, but most frequently in the urethra and bladder. 

Most urinary tract infections are easily treatable and have few, long-term complications. But when untreated, the infections can spread to the kidneys and result in kidney failure.

  1. Kidney stones

When minerals and other substances in the blood reach high levels in urine, they may crystallize in the kidneys to form solid particles, called stones. 

Passing the kidney stones can be extremely painful, but rarely cause significant problems.

  1. Glomerulonephritis

Glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the glomeruli—microscopic structures inside the kidneys that filter blood. 

The inflammation can be due to infections, congenital abnormalities, drugs, and autoimmune diseases. Glomerulonephritis may heal without treatment, but may sometimes require medications.

  1. Polycystic kidney disease

This is a genetic disorder that leads to many cysts—round sacs of fluid—to develop inside and on the surfaces of the kidneys. The cysts interfere with kidney function and are usually a more serious medical problem.

  1. Chronic kidney disease

This is the most common kidney problem and often results in deteriorated kidney function, even to levels where they no longer properly perform their functions and may require dialysis. 

Chronic kidney disease is majorly caused by high blood pressure and diabetes. With high blood pressure, the kidneys are forced to process at least 20-percent of the total volume of blood every minute. 

As a result, there is increased blood on the glomeruli, which eventually damages the filtering apparatus and leads to a decline in function. With uncontrolled blood sugar due to diabetes, there is damage of the functional units of the kidney, resulting in kidney failure.

Enhancing kidney health

When your kidneys are unhealthy, they eventually reach a stage where they may no longer remove waste from blood, a condition called kidney failure. Also, the buildup of waste due to kidney malfunction can cause other serious problems, and ultimately result in death.

When your kidneys fail, your doctor may recommend that your blood be filtered artificially through dialysis. Alternatively, you may need to undergo a kidney transplant.  Both options are demanding and costly, hence the need to maintain healthy kidneys so you don’t end up having to face these options.

At St Pete Urology, we encourage our patients to appreciate the vital role of their kidneys in their lives. We also promote deliberate actions that ensure healthy kidneys, including maintaining an active, health-conscious lifestyle.

If you’re looking for ideas on how to keep your kidneys healthy or are concerned about a bothersome issue you associate with your kidneys, visit us today for help. 

During your visit, we will speak with you about the signs and symptoms of chronic health conditions that can increase your risk of kidney damage or disease.  Plus, we will share ideas on keeping your kidneys and other vital organs healthy.

Come begin a close working relationship with a trustworthy, experienced urologist, which will help you prevent serious health issues in future. For more information on kidney problems and other urinary issues, visit the site “St Pete Urology.”

Is blood in the urine serious?

Blood in the urine, medically referred to as hematuria, should always be taken seriously because any blood in urine can indicate an elevated risk of severe health problems even if it occurs once. 

For instance, it can indicate an infection, kidney disease, cancer or a rare blood disorder.  So if you see blood in your urine, no matter how minor, you should never ignore it and immediately see a urologist. 

What are the different types of hematuria?

Blood in the urine can occur in two ways. It can present itself as gross hematuria or as microscopic hematuria. Gross hematuria means that your urine has significant elevation of blood and its color appears red or pink. Or your urine has spots of visible blood.

Microscopic hematuria means the amount of blood in your urine is so small that it can’t be seen with the naked eye. So your urine is not red or pink in color but a lab test can detect the blood or blood cells in the urine can be detected when a sample of the urine is examined under a microscope.

What are the causes of hematuria?

  1. Urinary tract infection

A bacterial infection somewhere in your urinary tract, kidneys or bladder can cause hematuria. An infection occurs when bacteria enters your urethra and moves and multiplies in the bladder or kidneys. The infection may result in pain, frequent urination, and bleeding that can eventually lead to gross or microscopic hematuria.

  1. Stones

Stones are crystals that form from minerals and other substances in your urine, especially when they are at high concentration. The stones form in the bladder or kidney and may lead to pain and bleeding as the stones pass through the urinary tract. Larger stones typically block the urinary tract and cause significant pain and hematuria.

  1. An enlarged prostate

For men who are middle-aged and older, the prostate gland tends to get bigger, compress the urethra, make it difficult to urinate, and may result in urinary tract infection (UTI). When an enlarged prostate causes UTI, blood in urine is often one of the symptoms of the infection.

  1. Kidney disease

When a kidney is inflamed, infected or damaged, bleeding may occur, resulting in blood in urine. Kidney disease can occur on its own or as part of another disease, like diabetes.  

For instance, in children aged 6-10 years, the kidney disease known as post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, which tends to develop 1-2 weeks after untreated strep infection, usually causes hematuria. It is nowadays quite rare because antibiotics effectively treat strep infections.

  1. Cancer

Blood in urine can be due to bladder, prostate, or kidney cancer, typically as a symptom of advanced-stage tumor. Because blood in urine is rarely an early sign of cancer, you should see your doctor immediately to rule out the possibility of cancer.

  1. Medications and rare conditions

Hematuria can be caused by drugs like aspirin, penicillin, blood thinners (like heparin and warfarin), and cyclophosphamide (a drug used to treat certain cancers). Rare blood disorders like hemophilia, Alport syndrome, and sickle cell anemia also cause hematuria. 

Plus, you can have blood in your urine after strenuous exercise, a trauma to the kidneys, or if blood is coming from a different source, such as from bowel movement, the vagina in women, or the ejaculate in men.

When should you seek medical attention?

Blood in urine may be a sign of a grave underlying condition, so you should speak with your doctor as soon as possible. You must never ignore hematuria, even if only a small amount of blood occurs in the urine. 

Visit your doctor immediately if you see blood clots as you urinate or if you have hematuria along with nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, or pain in your abdomen, back or side. 

Also, speak with your doctor if you don’t see blood in urine but experience frequent pain, difficulty urinating, or have abdominal or kidney pain, as these could indicate microscopic hematuria.

During your visit, your doctor will ask you about when and the amount of blood you see during urination.  The physician will also want to know how frequently you urinate, any pain or blood clots in the urine, and any medications you’re taking. 

The doctor will then perform a physical exam, obtain a sample of your urine for analysis, and may order imaging tests, like CT scan or cystoscopy.

The treatment offered after the tests will depend on the underlying cause of the hematuria. For instance, if it is due to urinary tract infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. 

For hematuria caused by an enlarged prostate, your doctor may prescribe 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, alpha blockers, or surgery.

Do you have blood in urine? 

For more information on the diagnosis and treatment of urological problems, visit the site “St Pete Urology.”