Bladder Specialist

The bladder plays an important role in the urinary system and can greatly affect the quality of a person’s everyday life. Bladder specialists can diagnose and treat these issues, while also helping patients from experiencing future bladder problems. No matter the level of one’s health, it is common for people to have issues with their bladder at least once in their lifetime.

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About

A bladder specialist, often referred to as a urologist, is a doctor that specializes in diagnosing and treating bladder-related and other urinary-tract issues. In addition, they can usually treat issues related to the reproductive system, as the reproductive and urinary systems symptoms, conditions, and treatments are closely linked. This is sometimes referred to as “genitourinary.”

Bladder specialists undergo years of medical training and certification. In order to become a bladder specialist, a person must receive a bachelor’s degree and a medical degree and then spend five to six years in a residency program. During the residency program, future bladder specialists learn about different surgical and medical treatments for urologic diseases. They must complete a one- to two-year fellowship focusing on the bladder and other urologic care. Bladder specialists can then become an American Board of Urology certified urologist. Finally, they will need to take and pass the state medical examination to meet medical board guidelines and practice as a doctor.

Importance

A patient may choose to see or be referred to a bladder specialist if they have symptoms of urinary-related issues. These issues may be caused by the bladder or other conditions, such as an enlarged prostate or nerve-related issues affecting the urinary tract. These symptoms include:

  • Abdominal or pelvic pain

  • Discolored urine (cloudy or bloody)

  • Frequent urge to urinate

  • Loss of bladder control or urinary leakage

  • Painful or troublesome urination

Bladder specialists can treat numerous conditions related to the bladder and other areas of the urinary system. They are certified to treat conditions such as bladder cancer, bladder stones, overactive bladder (OAB), and interstitial cystitis (IC). They can also treat common conditions and illnesses that may affect everyone, as well as conditions that occur on the basis of sex.

conditions

There are several reasons why a person may experience bladder issues. They could be primarily due to age or pregnancy. They may also be caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI), chronic issues, or, in some cases, cancer. The most common examples of bladder issues are:

  • Bladder cancer: Bladder cancer is a common type of cancer caused by out-of-control cell growth in the bladder. These cells can form a tumor and later spread to other parts of the body. The most common type of bladder cancer is urothelial carcinoma, where the cells line the bladder's walls and other parts of the urinary tract.

  • Cystitis: Interstitial cystitis (IC), commonly known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic bladder condition that causes pain and pressure below the belly button. The pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, piercing pain with a stinging or burning sensation. This condition causes urgent and painful urination; a patient with severe IC may urinate up to 60 times a day.

  • Overactive bladder: Overactive bladder (OAB), also known as irritable or spastic bladder, affects an estimated 33 million people in the United States. OAB causes a constant urge to urinate, making it harder for patients to control their urinary flow. The bladder muscles contract involuntarily and create the urge to urinate, even when the urine volume is low.

  • Urinary Incontinence: Urinary incontinence (UI) is where a person experiences an involuntary leakage of urine. Older adults are more likely to experience urinary incontinence from weak bladder muscles or not being able to reach the bathroom in time to urinate. Women are also suffer more likely to struggle with UI symptoms; 51.1% of women experience loss of urinary control versus 13.9% of men.