Questions To Ask A Rome NY Urologist When Visiting One
As cliché as it may sound, health is, indeed, wealth. You should prioritize your health because there is no one else that will do that for you. It is always important to listen to your body so that you properly take care of it, such as going for regular health checks from a licensed medical professional.
One of the most common infections that both men and women experience is UTI or urinary tract infection. While it can be resolved through a round of antibiotics, it can also lead to more severe health problems, like kidney disease. In this case, it is of the essence to visit a urologist, a medical specialist who is the best professional to diagnose and treat your condition.
Table of Contents
Why You Should See A Urologist
A urologist is a health expert that you should consult when you experience any symptoms in the urinary tract. However, a urologist can also diagnose and resolve other diseases and conditions, such as:
- Incontinence (for men, women, and children)
- Prostate enlargement and cancer (for men)
- Fertility problems (for men) and sexual health
- Genitalia issues
- Testicular cancer (for men)
- Diseases of the bladder and kidney
Urinary tract problems are potentially life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated by a urologist as soon as possible. If you or a family member has weakened bladder control, blood in the urine, or discomfort in the lower back, groin, or stomach, you should go to a urologist right away. It is easy to find a reputable Rome NY urologist since medical practitioners nowadays maintain an online presence through social media or an official website.
Questions To Ask When Visiting A Rome NY Urologist
If you are one of those patients who hesitate to consult with a urologist out of fear or uneasiness, know that it will do you more bad than good in the long run. Remember that these doctors are trained to put their patients at ease before, during, and after treatment.
To give you better piece of mind, you must ask these questions when you visit your urologist:
What screening or laboratory tests do I need?
Depending on your health condition, a urologist may or may not require you to go through specific screening and laboratory procedures. In general, a urologist may ask the patient to provide a urine and blood sample to determine whether an infection is present in the urinary tract. Your physician will inform you on how to prepare for any laboratory test if there is a need for one.
What is the cause of my health condition?
Urologists understand the cause of urinary tract-related diseases better than regular doctors. A reputable urologist will clearly explain whether your condition is congenital or acquired from your lifestyle or the environment. Also, they should be able to communicate the diagnosis in layman’s terms so that you can better understand your condition.
What can I do to improve my condition?
Medical doctors can also provide tips and recommendations to patients to improve their health. Prevention is, indeed, better than cure. But, if you’re already diagnosed with, say, a urinary tract infection, the urologist will likely prescribe antibiotics to clear the infection. Your urologist should also inform you whether you should make modifications in your diet and lifestyle, or take health supplements to improve your overall well-being.
What treatment options are available?
This is an important question that every patient should ask their urologist. The urologist should provide the patient with the treatment options available for their health condition. For example, if you’re diagnosed with prostate cancer, your treatment options may either be radiation therapy or surgery. Moreover, your urologist should also be able to discuss the advantages and side effects of each treatment type.
What is the typical outlook for my health condition?
Doctors should be frank with their patients concerning the outlook for their particular health conditions. Urologists should provide factual information regarding these diseases to prepare their patients for what to expect. After being diagnosed with kidney stones, for example, you will first be presented with the available treatments depending on the severity of your condition. But, aside from discussing the treatment options, your urologist should also explain the complications of having kidney stones. A reliable urologist must discuss the expected outlook for your health condition before and after treatment or surgery.
Conclusion
The urinary system is an essential part of the anatomy since it acts as the plumbing system of the body. There are many ways to care for the urinary system, such as drinking plenty of fluids, keeping a healthy weight through regular exercise and a nutritious diet, and visiting a urologist when needed. A urologist is the recommended medical professional to consult to maintain a healthy urinary system.
When visiting a urologist, never hesitate to ask questions regarding your specific condition and what caused it, the screening and laboratory tests you need to undergo, the best treatment options for your condition, as well as ways on how you can improve your overall well-being. Getting answers to these queries can make your journey to recovery so much easier, and can help you achieve better peace of mind.