A urologist is a physician with advanced training in surgical and non-surgical treatments involving the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Urologists may subspecialize in many different areas, such as male reproductive health, reconstruction of the vagina, pelvic floor issues, and bladder issues. In short, almost all adults can benefit from a visit to a urology clinic. Let’s learn more about the services provided at a urology clinic and where you can find one in Queens.
Reasons to Go to a Urology Clinic
Urologists see everyone – men, women, and children. They assess and treat patients for a wide range of acute and chronic conditions of the urinary tract, as well as the reproductive organs of men. Some of the conditions you may be familiar with are urinary tract infections (UTIs), benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), kidney stones, erectile dysfunction, bladder prolapse, and overactive bladder.
Regrettably, the symptoms of many urological conditions can be misdiagnosed because they so closely resemble other health problems. For instance, the symptoms of an overactive bladder can mimic an acute urinary tract infection.
So, when common treatments don’t work to resolve symptoms, primary care physicians refer their patients to urologists for deeper investigation.
Symptoms that send people to urology clinics include:
- Pain upon urinating (weak stream and stop-and-go urinating in men)
- Urinary frequency and urgency
- Flank and lower abdominal pain
- Blood in the urine
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Vaginal prolapse in women
- Incontinence
Urologists also deal with voiding problems which are related to neurological deficits and to prostate cancer surgery. They can perform reconstruction of the male urethra and create urinary diversions for individuals who have had their bladders removed due to trauma and cancer.
Finally, your urologist is your go-to physician for kidney diseases, such as acute and chronic renal failure, hypertension related to kidney disease, strictures in the ureters, and urethra and congenital bladder defects.
What Happens at a Urology Clinic
When you are referred to a urology clinic, expect your specialized healthcare provider to do a complete medical history, physical examination (pelvic for women and rectal for men may be required) and to take urine and blood samples.
Also, the doctor may order a wide range of radiological assessments, including a bladder scan, voiding cystogram, renal scan, and other tests. Cystoscopy involves the insertion of a lighted scope into the bladder to look for areas of irritation and bleeding, to locate and remove stones, and more.
With the findings, the urologist will formulate a treatment plan. Many conditions respond well to medications and therapies, such as pelvic floor exercises and others.
However, some treatments are operative. Minor procedures, such as taking a prostate biopsy, lithotripsy for kidney stones, or insertion of a penile implant, can happen right in the urology clinic. Others may require hospitalization, such as vaginal and pelvic floor reconstruction.
Urology Clinic at EMU Health in Glendale, Queens
At EMU Health, our providers deliver a wide range of medical specialty services, including urology. Our on-staff urologist is Dr. Neil Grastein. He has extensive experience in bladder dysfunction and in the reconstruction of both the male and female urinary tract.
If you need urological assessment and treatment, the experts at EMU Health are here to help you. Call us today at (718) 850-4368 to arrange an in-office consultation. Additionally, you can ask for an appointment by filling in our online request form. We look forward to treating you!
