Urologic disorders are conditions that affect your urinary tract, which includes your:
Many conditions can affect these organs and tissues. Urologic and bladder disorders can often be treated with medication, although some more serious issues may require surgery.
Urologic disorders may cause:
Some diseases, such as kidney disease, don’t cause symptoms in the early stages. You may not know you have a urologic condition until your disorder gets worse or your doctor detects signs during a regular health check-up.
Some urologic conditions are caused by problems that have been present since birth. The urinary tract may not form correctly while a baby is developing, leading to disorders that affect these organs.
Many urologic and bladder disorders are caused by bacterial or viral infections. Some of these conditions are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that can develop when you have sex with someone who has an untreated infection. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) also affect most women at some point throughout their lives.
Kidney stones develop when substances in the urine stick together and form small masses that can block the kidneys or ureter.
Kidney or bladder problems can be caused by:
Smoking cigarettes and being exposed to chemicals can increase your risk of bladder cancer.
Urine tests can tell your doctor whether your urinary tract is working correctly to filter out toxins, blood, and proteins. Additionally, a couple of different blood tests can help determine how well your kidneys are working. Some problems may be diagnosed with imaging tests such as an ultrasound or computed tomography (CT scan).
Medications such as antibiotics can help treat urological disorders caused by an infection. Drugs, procedures, and exercises are also available to treat urinary incontinence or kidney stones.
Other types of treatments such as physical therapy, bladder training, and activating nearby nerves can help treat some types of bladder disorders.
Kidney disease can’t be treated, but taking certain medications, eating a low-salt diet, getting more physical activity, and quitting smoking may help prevent your condition from getting worse. If your kidneys completely shut down, you may need to be hooked up to a machine that filters out waste (dialysis) or have surgery to get a new kidney (undergo kidney transplantation).
Drinking enough water is important to keep your urinary tract healthy. Experts often recommend that adults drink about two litres of water each day, but your exact needs may vary. Talk to your doctor to learn how much water you should aim to drink.
Eating meals that have low levels of salt (sodium) and enough calcium can help boost your kidney health.
You can reduce your risk of STDs by using a condom and urinating after sex. Women can also wipe front to back to help prevent UTIs.
If you have health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, work with your health care team to keep them under control.