4 Common Urological Exams

There is a very common misconception that urologists treat only men. This is completely untrue, and if you have any concerns regarding your urological health, your best bet is to make an appointment with a urologist.  If your issue is not taken care of in a timely manner, a minor irritating problem could end up becoming a greater issue down the road. This is why it is so important for your overall health to visit a urologist today! There is no need to feel apprehensive about any urological exams. To have you more at ease, let’s talk about the most common urological exams and what they entail.

Physical Exam

Whether it’s a urinary tract infection or erectile dysfunction, your urologist will start the appointment by asking you a series of questions. This is to record your symptoms, existing health, medical history, and any medications you are taking. Depending on your symptoms, the specialist may examine your kidneys, ureters, bladder, penis, or testis. A physical exam that patients often worry about is the digital rectal exam, used to physically assess the prostate gland. This procedure is simple and involves the doctor inserting a lubricated gloved finger into the patient’s rectum. In doing this, the doctor is able to feel the size and firmness of the prostate and discover any abnormal nodules that could exist.

Urine Tests

A urine test is an extremely simple exam that can help diagnose the reason behind your symptoms. There are different types of urine tests- some of them include:

Urinalysis

This urine test is completed in the urologist’s office and requires you to urinate into a sterile cup. The test is able to check for bacteria, blood cells, and other substances. Different outcomes of the urine test could specify if there is a medical condition behind your symptoms, such as kidney disease, a urinary tract infection, or diabetes.

Urine Cultures

The primary goal of urine cultures is to examine if there is any bacteria in a urine sample. This urine test is completed in a laboratory to isolate the kind of bacteria producing the infection. Based on the results, the doctor will distribute antibiotics to kill the bacteria and clear up the infection with sensitivity tests.

24 – Hour Urine Tests

This type of test is a gathering of all the urine collected within a 24-hour period to study if elements such as proteins or hormones are within the standard range. Different outcomes of the test could mean diverse diagnoses, such as kidney disease, lupus, diabetes, or preeclampsia in pregnancy.

Blood Tests

Your blood can tell you a lot about your urinary system. Urologists depend on numerous blood tests to better assess your urinary system and determine the cause of issues like infertility or male erectile dysfunction.  Some of these blood tests may include:

Prostate-Specific Antigen Tests

This might be one of the most important tests to partake in because it has the ability to assist in the finding of prostate cancer or non-cancerous inflammation of the prostate. Prostate-specific antigen is a protein discharged from the prostate gland, which can spread when there is inflammation in the prostate.

Blood Urea Nitrogen Tests

This particular test can help evaluate kidney function. It can test for levels of creatinine in the blood, and a high level of creatinine might mean that your kidneys are not performing correctly. This examination is used to support a diagnosis that changes the blood flow to kidneys, such as dehydration or congestive heart failure.

Testosterone Tests

These tests are used for checking levels of testosterone in the blood. This is mainly for men, when evaluating male erectile dysfunction. To evaluate infertility, a series of additional blood tests is completed.

Ultrasound, X-Rays, and Other Imaging Methods

Sometimes a problem is not always visible or noticeable to doctors. Luckily, numerous imaging methods are used to help get a better glimpse of the problem. An ultrasound is an easy way to detect problems related to your kidneys, bladder, testicles, and prostate gland, such as tumors, cysts, or stones. X-rays are also essential for getting a better look at the problems internally. There are several different types of x-rays; some include injecting dyes into the bloodstream while others may involve a special radiopaque liquid that the x-ray can highlight.

Trustworthy Urologists in New Jersey

At Somerset Urological Associates, our goal is to provide the highest level of care from our highly-skilled team of urologists. We are continuously dedicated to addressing the needs of patients with compassion and professionalism through our variety of comprehensive services and procedures. If you are experiencing any problems that cause you discomfort or concern, please don’t hesitate to contact us and schedule a visit today!