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Category Archives: Urology

Categories Gynecology, Urology 0 comment

When should women see a urologist? How to treat incontinence?

Sometimes when we talk about urology, we mistakenly think that it is a medical specialty only for men. However, women should also go to the urologist for periodic check-ups or when a problem arises, for example, in the bladder, kidneys or urethra.

Many women frequently suffer from urinary problems, such as urinary tract infections, as do men, so it is the urologist who should be consulted when this occurs.

Main conditions treated in urology in women

Women should visit a urology office when they have conditions or pathologies related to the urinary tract. Some of the most frequent problems are:

  • Kidney problems, mainly renal lithiasis or kidney stones.
  • Urine infections.
  • Urinary incontinence.
  • Bladder prolapse.
  • Bladder or kidney cancer.

Urinary tract infections and urinary incontinence are the main reasons for women to consult a urologist.

Urinary tract infections occur more frequently in women of reproductive age. These infections are caused by the invasion of microorganisms in the urinary tract; generally bacteria, although they can also be viruses, fungi or parasites.

Depending on age, UTIs can occur in women for different reasons:

  • In young women, the main reasons for urinary tract infection are: having previously suffered a urinary tract infection, or having had sexual intercourse.
  • Urinary tract infections often occur in women after menopause if they have suffered from it previously in their fertile years.

Urinary incontinence is less common than urinary tract infections but also occurs consistently in many women.

 

What is urinary incontinence and why does it affect more women than men?

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. This is not a normal part of aging and can be treated. Women go through specific instances with their health, such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, which can affect the urinary tract and surrounding muscles. The pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder, urethra, uterus and bowel can become weak or damaged. When the muscles that support the urinary tract are weak, they must work harder to hold back urine until you are ready to urinate. The extra strain and pressure on the bladder and urethra can cause urinary incontinence or leakage.

In addition, the female urethra is shorter than the male urethra. Any weakening or damage to a woman's urethra is more likely to cause urinary incontinence. This is because there is less muscle to hold urine until you are ready to urinate.

How is urinary incontinence treated?

In our center we offer different treatment options for urinary incontinence. In collaboration with our pelvic floor rehabilitation specialist, we evaluate each case in a personalized way to offer the best solution.

There are non-surgical options such as kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and depending on the case we also offer the option of surgery for the implantation of a mesoureteral sling which is designed to provide a support tape under the urethra to prevent leakage during physical activity.

In this video, our Dr. Rubén Cutanda Puigvert, specialist in women's urology and incontinence, explains how this surgery is performed.

If you want to make an appointment with him:

☎️ Call us at 629 334 583
💬If you want more information write us at info@urologiayandrologia.com
🌐Ask for an appointment: https://urologiayandrologia.com/pedir-cita/
📍We are located at Av. José Mesa y López, 54. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Spain.

treatment Urinary tract infection summer
Categories Gynecology, Urology 0 comment

How to avoid UTIs in the summer?

About 30% of women suffer from urinary tract infections on a regular basis. This type of infection, of which cystitis is one of the most common, causes a lot of pain and can lead to kidney problems. With the summer heat and visits to beaches or swimming pools, these types of infections multiply and although it is possible to solve them with a visit to the urologist or gynaecologist, with a few tips we can reduce the chances of them appearing.

Causes of urinary tract infections.

The micro-organisms that we naturally have in our body live in a balance that can easily be destabilised, and when we leave the genital areas wet for longer periods of time, they become unbalanced and infections can appear.

Why do UTIs occur so often?

There are 25% of women who suffer 3 or more infections in a year, or 2 in the last 6 months. This is because the bacteria causing the second one is different from the first, or because after finishing a treatment, the same group of bacteria reappears within 2 weeks.

With menstruation, pregnancy, menopause or ageing, urinary tract infections also appear because these are major hormonal changes, which alter the pH of the vagina.

The same characteristics of the female body can increase the likelihood of infection, because the female urethra is short (3-5 centimetres) compared to the male anatomy, and bacteria from the urethra can more easily reach the bladder.

Tips to prevent urinary tract infections at home.

In our daily routines we make mistakes that can lead to these infections, and with a few changes, we can eliminate risks.

  1. Drink 2 litres of water a day.
  2. Emptying the bladder completely when urinating.
  3. Wiping the genitals from front to back after using the toilet.
  4. Urinating immediately after sexual intercourse.
  5. Maintain normal hygiene. If the genital/urinary area is washed excessively, or with products that may be abrasive (such as deodorants, soaps or vaginal creams), the natural balance of germs may be disturbed.

Tips to avoid holiday UTIs.

Due to the changes in our routines that occur during the summer, we may pay less attention to some aspects that favour the development of urinary tract infections, but we can easily change them.

  • Replace the wet swimming costume with a dry one as soon as possible.
  • Avoid fabrics that do not allow the genital area to perspire and dry.
  • Hydrate ourselves by drinking 2 litres throughout the day, it doesn't have to be just water, we can drink liquids such as herbal teas, coffees, etc.
  • Introduce fruits containing vitamin C in the diet to acidify the urine and prevent the spread of bacteria.
  • Empty the bladder frequently as the longer the fluid remains in the bladder, the more bacteria can grow.

GUA treatment of urinary tract infections.

At GUA we have a medical laboratory where we can analyse urine samples quickly in order to identify the cause of the urinary tract infection and diagnose it optimally. 

☎️ Call us at 629 334 583
💬If you want more information write us at info@urologiayandrologia.com
🌐Ask for an appointment: https://urologiayandrologia.com/pedir-cita/
📍We are located at Av. José Mesa y López, 54. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Spain.

Categories Urology 0 comment

Prostatitis - what is it and how to treat it?

Prostatitis is one of the most common pathologies in men, although it is more frequent after the age of fifty.

Therefore, at GUA we treat it with a holistic approach involving several of our specialities.

What is prostatitis?

It is an inflammation of the prostate gland that usually causes a lot of pain in the testicular and perianal area, as well as general malaise, tiredness, fever, chills and shivering, causing urinary difficulties: getting up several times during the night, feeling of urgency when going to the toilet, incomplete emptying when urinating.

It is an annoying affliction because it has a wide and difficult to describe range of complaints, as it can change location and intensity depending on the occasion. The pain is usually located in the pelvis, but this is an area surrounded by the pelvic floor muscles and the pudendal nerve, and as the pain is widespread it is not possible to pinpoint the exact source, but once correctly diagnosed by a urologist, patients' quality of life can be improved.

What causes prostatitis?

Between 12 and 14% of cases originate from an infectious source in the pharynx, mouth or a neighbouring rectal process, in which case they are classified as bacterial prostatitis, or otherwise as abacterial prostatitis.

What types of prostatitis are there?

They can be acute or chronic, the main difference between them being the prolongation over time. Acute prostatitis that lasts for years, even if its intensity decreases, is classified as chronic prostatitis.

What treatment do we provide at GUA?

As the different specialists in our centre work in synchrony, at GUA we offer a diagnosis and a quality personalised treatment.

  • Thanks to our analysis laboratory we can perform a semen and urine culture at any time, not only to diagnose, but also to monitor the recommended treatment, trying not to turn it into chronic prostatitis or prescribe antibiotics that are not suitable for this case.
  • If the cause is bacterial, our urologists may prescribe specific antibiotics, muscle relaxants or even pelvic decongestants, depending on each patient. We will pay special attention to the repercussions of both the inflammation and the treatment on the urinary system. If necessary, we may even apply Focal Shock Waves through the perineum to treat prostate pain.
  • If the cause is a pelvic floor contracture, we will refer you to our specialised Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation unit, using physiotherapy, rehabilitation and specific medication to relieve the pain and try to solve the problem that has caused it so that there are no further episodes.

At GUA we offer the highest quality care, we have a team of specialised and highly qualified urologists. We also have a laboratory and a physiotherapist specialised in pelvic floor, Adoración Gil. Together they will prescribe the best treatment for each case.

Contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions.

Shockwave treatment
Categories Andrology, Urology 0 comment

Shockwave therapy for erectile dysfunction: Frequently asked questions

Shockwave treatment has a beneficial effect on tissue regeneration, which is essential for a healthy erection. A successful treatment for erectile dysfunction.

With technological advances, it is now possible to treat erectile dysfunction with the new shockwave treatment. This is a great innovation as it is the first treatment that acts at the root of the problem, the narrowing of the arteries or arteriosclerosis. In most cases erectile dysfunction is due to a lack of blood to the penis because of this problem.

It is a long-lasting treatment, as the patient will be able to enjoy the effect of the shockwaves once all the sessions have been completed. This is the main difference compared to other treatments, where the effects are only felt while the medication, cream or injection is being applied... Therefore, there is a high probability of success in "curing" erectile dysfunction.

What are shock waves?

Although this is a new treatment, shockwaves have been used in urology for quite some time. Specifically, they are used to treat kidney stones or urinary calculi. This same technology, low-energy, high-frequency shock waves, is being used to treat impotence.

To correct erectile dysfunction, shock waves form new blood vessels in the erectile tissue, enhancing vascular endothelial relaxation.

How are they applied?

The treatment is carried out in several sessions to ensure complete success, specifically twice a week for 3 weeks. The duration of the session is approximately 20 to 30 minutes, taking into account that there are 3000 impacts per session. After one month from the last session, a check-up with the doctor is carried out.

The shock waves are placed first on the upper part of the penis and then under the scrotum to reach the root of the corpora cavernosa. In this way, the entire erectile tissue is covered.

The treatment is completely painless, brief and does not require anaesthesia or sedation. No admission or observation is required after the session.

Who can undergo this technique?

Smoking, cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, stress, diabetes... All these vascular risk factors lead to arteriosclerosis and therefore erectile dysfunction. Patients who suffer from this pathology due to these vascular risk factors will be those who can undergo shockwaves.

Is shockwave therapy successful?

According to several studies, there is a high positive response rate to shockwave treatment, between 75%-80%. Moreover, the response remains positive in the medium term, with patients confirming an improvement in their erections over the next 6 months. Whether this is also the case in the long term is currently being studied.

Do shock waves cause pain or side effects?

Not at all. Patients confirm that they feel tingling during the sessions, but no pain. Moreover, to date, there is no record of any side effects. There have been rare cases of penile haematoma, but this is due to altered coagulation, without prior warning.

Contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions.

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