Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Urology

Urology is a specialty in medicine that deals with diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the male reproductive system and both the male and female urinary systems. A doctor who specializes in urology is called a urologist. 

Common symptoms that may prompt you to visit a urologist include:

• Pain in the back or groin area
• Blood in the urine (hematuria)
• Frequent, painful urination (urinary infection)
• Urine leakage (urine incontinence)

Common urology problems include urinary tract infections, urine incontinence or difficulty in emptying your bladder, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, erectile dysfunction (inability to achieve an erection), etc. 

You may make an appointment with a urology specialists if you experience the following;

• Changes in urination such as a frequent urge to urinate or painful urination.
• Trouble urinating or other problems such as cloudy or bloody urine.
• Trouble achieving or maintaining an erection.
• Low sex drive and problems with fertility.

Few of the common procedures performed by a urology specialists include laparoscopy (fine fiber-optic instruments are used to inspect and operate), ureteroscopy, prostatectomy, cystectomy, adrenalectomy, nephrectomy, and transurethral resection of the bladder, etc. 

Some of the diseases and conditions that can be treated by urology specialists or urologists include:

• Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Infections in the urinary tract, that includes the bladder, urethra, and kidneys.
• Kidney stones: Hard mineral and salt deposits that form in the kidneys are called kidney stones. They can cause pain and obstruction in urine flow.
• Bladder issues: Certain conditions that affect the bladder such as bladder infections, interstitial cystitis, and an overactive bladder.
• Prostate problems: Some common prostate problems include prostatitis or inflammation, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer.
• Erectile dysfunction: It is also known as impotence or the inability to achieve or maintain an erection.

Laser treatment in urology refers to the use of laser energy for various urological procedures. Urologists use different types of lasers, each with its specific wavelength and properties, to target and treat specific conditions within the urinary system. Some of the laser treatments in urology include laser lithotripsy, holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) or thulium laser enucleation of the prostate (ThuLEP), and laser ablation of bladder tumors.

There isn't a single "best" laser for urology, as the choice of laser depends on the specific procedure being performed and the urologist's expertise and preference. Different lasers used in urology include Holmium: YAG Laser,  Thulium: YAG Laser, GreenLight™ Laser, and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Laser.