The best investment you can make isn’t into your 401(k), it’s your health, as without good health, everything else can fall apart. Regular check-ups are part of maintaining your health, but going to the family doctor isn’t enough. Seeing a urologist on a regular basis should be part of your yearly health routine.
What A Urologist Does
Urologists are specialists who focus on the urinary system, which includes the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and uterus. They can also work with the reproductive organs and the adrenal glands. The urinary system created by these organs helps the body filter out toxins, regulate waste, and control the release of hormones.
Regular check-ups with an urologist will establish a health baseline so that when something does go wrong, they can identify it early and start to correct the problem before it causes lasting, permanent damage.
When To See A Urologist
Depending on your age, you should be seeing a urologist either annually or after 50, at least twice a year. More importantly, if you experience any of the following conditions, you need to make an appointment right away:
- Urinating causes pain
- Blood in your urine
- Frequent urination, including feeling the need to go but nothing comes out
- Erectile dysfunction
- Severe pain in the lower stomach or the side of your back
- Lumps around your reproductive organs
If you have a family history of prostate cancer or kidney disease, it is especially important to see a urologist on a regular basis. Frequent cancer screenings can catch it early and might end up saving your life.
What Urologists Do For Male Patients
Men should be seeing a urologist for a number of reasons, ranging from testosterone production issues to an inflamed prostrate and even erectile dysfunction. As men age, these problems can become more pronounced, which is why it’s important to start seeing a specialist when you are 40.
Before then, a urologist can also assist men who are suffering from a low sperm count or male infertility. Infertility can impact men as well as women, with the Center For Disease Control estimating 35% of men are infertile, potentially due to a wide range of issues, including:
- Hormonal disorders
- Genetic disorders
- Testicular disruptions
- Diabetes
- Cancer
As with all health conditions, the earlier it is detected, the better off you will be, before the symptoms get any worse.
What Urologists Do For Female Patients
The overwhelming amount of women that see a urologist do so seeking treatment for an UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). Women make up over half of all UTI treatment appointments. In addition, women are more likely than men to suffer from interstitial cystitis, which can mirror the symptoms of a UTI, but there is no infection.
Women who experience bladder pain and increased urine frequency should see a urologist because the true cause of the issue can be hidden and requires the trained eye of a specialist to detect.
A Growing Need For Urologists
The United States is currently going through a shortage of physicians, and this is impacting the number of urologists available around the country. There’s a few reasons for this shift, but it comes down to an aging population resulting in more people trying to see medical specialists than ever before.
Hospital closures over the last decade have sped up this process, leaving entire counties without a urologist. It’s a problem impacting all aspects of the healthcare system, and there is no easy fix.
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Working As A Urologist
A growing need for urologists means that urology jobs have become incredibly lucrative for those who qualify for them. Across the country, there are job openings, so a trained doctor can live in nearly any location and join an existing practice.
On average, an experienced urologist can make half a million dollars a year. It requires years of training, dedication, and highly specialized education, but the end result makes the journey well worth it. Not only does it pay well, but you’re improving people’s lives.
Find A Urologist Today
If you want to get yourself on the path to better health and prevent major issues before they even begin, talk to your family doctor and see if now’s the time to start seeing a urologist. It might be too early, and you might not have any of the warning signs, but it never hurts to ask your doctor for advice.
You should do everything you can to maintain your health. Your future self will thank you for it.
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