A Guide to Urology

What the work entails

Our urologists provide medical services to babies, children, adults and the elderly. While we are surgeons, not all of the patients we see will require surgery. A lot of our time is spent managing medical diseases and problems which don’t require surgery. 

In order to identify the problem, our urologists may use a variety of instruments that allow them to take a closer look at the afflicted area. 

Conditions that are harder to locate may require some image tests such as ultrasound, MRI scans or CT scans. We also may employ the use of cystoscopes, which are long, thin probes with a camera attached to the end. These devices allow urologists to see the insides of the urinary tract and gain a better understanding of what may be causing the problem. 

Once a diagnosis is complete, treatment will begin. The disease could require complex surgery, straightforward medical management, lifestyle changes or a combination of these. 

Common procedures

With some of the more common conditions such as kidney stones affecting 1 in 20 people, urology makes up a fair proportion of consultations with GPs and referrals to hospitals. We cover a wide range of services in the urological field. Over the years each member of our team has come to develop specialist skills while still treating a wide range of urological conditions and diseases. Given this, our urologists can be considered experts in the following areas within urology:

Kidney stones 

The formation of kidney stones is a fairly common disorder which can affect any individual. They are formed by waste products such as acid salts and minerals filtering through the kidneys, grouping together and solidifying over time. Kidney stones can block the urinary tract, which can be extremely painful and cause bleeding. Some of the smaller kidney stones may be able to pass through the system on their own. However the larger ones may require medical intervention and treatment to either break them up so they are passed naturally, or to completely remove them. Although anyone can be afflicted by kidney stones, they are more likely to form in men and overweight individuals.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, also known as BPH, is a condition that causes urinary problems due to the swelling of the prostate gland in men. The gland surrounds the neck of the bladder, and with age it slowly grows larger. If it becomes too large, it can end up squeezing the urethra and preventing urine from passing through the tube which drains the bladder. This makes it hard to completely empty the bladder and results in frequent trips to the toilet and urinary infections. There are a number of different approaches that can be taken for BPH, which can depend on the individual or what one of our team would recommend.

Urinary Bleeding

Urinary bleeding, sometimes referred to broadly as Hematuria, could be caused by one of many benign conditions which may not be a cause for concern. There are, however, some far more serious issues which could be behind the urinary bleeding. For this reason, professional help should be sought out immediately if there is any sign of Hematuria. 

Urinary bleeding could be caused by any one of the following:

• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
• Kidney infection
• Kidney cancer
• Urological cancer
• Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) 
• Damage to the kidney through blunt trauma

Diagnosis will be carried out through urine tests and kidney scans. In more serious cases, small telescopes attached to thin surgical instruments can be inserted into the urethra to gain a clearer view of the bladder. Treatment will be entirely dependent upon the reason for the urinary bleeding.

Comprehensive Men’s Health Check

While women tend to regularly go to the GP for check-ups related to maternity care or contraceptive advice and medication, most men go for prolonged periods of time without any medical contact. However, it’s just as important for men to receive regular check-ups as it is for women, but perhaps due to social stigma or a preference to self-diagnose, they don’t visit the doctor unless something is seriously wrong. 

Not only are we experts at providing men’s health care, we’re also strong believers that men’s health care should be equal to that of any other individual. We aim to raise awareness of men’s health and send a message that not only is it okay for men to receive regular check-ups, but it’s also a necessity. 

Our urologists will undertake a number of tests with the goal of gaining a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s lifestyle, including everything from scanning for diabetes to a cardiac assessment. Reviewing the data will allow our team to identify any results which are either currently problematic or which indicate causes for future concern. 

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. The symptoms can remain undetected for a long time as it spreads very slowly until the prostate grows large enough to put pressure on the urethra (the tube which urine passes through to leave the bladder).  

The symptoms may be similar to the ones found in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, such as urinating frequently and the inability to empty the bladder. However, prostate cancer may also cause a stinging, straining sensation during urination.

These symptoms do not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer, but they definitely should not be ignored. If you experience any of these symptoms, one of our expert urologists will be able to provide a full examination in order to diagnose the problem. 

Contact us

If you, a family member or friend is suffering with any urological symptoms or conditions, it’s important to get it checked out as quickly as possible. What may be causing severe anxiety could be a minor ailment that can be quickly dealt with. However, if it does turn out to be more serious, then we can confidently say that early diagnosis and treatment is much more likely to lead to a cure. While we specialise in urology, we also offer a wide range of general healthcare support for people of all ages. All we ask is that you get in touch and we can help you to get better and remove any discomfort you may be in. 

If you have any questions about our practice or services, feel free to contact us, either by calling us directly on 07580307020 or filling out our contact form. Whether you are looking for a urologist because you want to avoid long waiting times, or you want to find a doctor who will provide long-term care, our team can help. We are experienced urologists and commit to giving our patients exactly what they need.

Where we are

We are based in East Anglia and provide our urological services to patients across Essex and Suffolk from multiple locations across Chelmsford, Southend and Colchester.