When Is It Back Pain Vs Kidney Pain?
The kidneys are an amazing filtration system and play a crucial role in our overall health. Similarly, keeping ourselves healthy also ensures that our kidneys work properly. When the kidneys do not work as they should, they can cause pain and discomfort. However, diagnosing kidney pain is not something that can be done simply by assessing the location of the pain. There are other organs and structures that can trigger pain receptors in that area.
Before we get a little deeper into kidney pain, we must discuss exactly where the kidneys are located. Many people are surprised to know how high up they are. If you drop your arms to your side, your kidneys are somewhere at the level of your elbows, or slightly higher. This may help you understand that many cases of back pain simply do not originate in the kidneys.
Prostate Cancer – No Big Deal or Deadly?
As a leader in the evolution of diagnosis and classification of prostate cancer over the past few decades, Dr. Engel has seen and participated in changes regarding how we view prostate cancer and how it is ultimately treated. Elsewhere on this website and in his webinars, Dr. Engel has discussed PSA or Prostate Specific Antigen and how it revolutionized the diagnosis of prostate cancer…however, early on it was poorly understood, used improperly and ultimately led to over-treatment in many men.
3 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer can become a trigger for panic when we hear that 13 out of every 100 men in the United States will have it at some point in their lives. Although you cannot change your age or genetics, which certainly factor when calculating your risk of prostate cancer, you can take active, preventative measures to decrease your chances.
Urine Color, Your Health & When to Call a Doctor
It might come as a shock, but the color of your urine can say a lot about you and your overall health. Although the tint of your urine varies depending on how hydrated you are, it can also indicate a UTI, liver or kidney disorders, tumors and more. Do not fret – discolored pee can also (and more likely) be caused by new medications, dehydration, dyes, vitamins, and certain foods.
Differentiating Kidney Stones from a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
It can be concerning to experience pain ‘down there’. Many questions of what could be causing the pain and discomfort run circles in your mind. Your first move might be calling your primary care doctor and declaring you have a UTI. Stop right there – the symptoms of UTIs and kidney stones can be similar, but treatment is very different. In this article, we will be discussing the similarities and differences between the two and when you should go see a doctor.
Staying Hydrated for Urologic Health
As summer rolls in and the temperatures rise, staying well hydrated is even more important. Beyond just quenching your thirst, staying hydrated and drinking water have overarching benefits for your entire body – including your urinary system.
Why In-office BPH Procedures Make Sense
Many men suffer from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or enlarged prostate. It becomes more common as a man ages with approximately 50% of all men experiencing it by the age of 50 and 80% by the age of 80. And while the condition is not life-threatening and only in rare cases medically problematic, it can be very limiting. Those who suffer from BPH may have difficulty urinating or may experience urinary incontinence. They may limit activities because of the psychological impact that such problems have on one’s psyche. BPH can also cause frequent urination, especially at night and many patients report going to the bathroom up to a dozen times, which not only is terribly disruptive, but also causes fatigue and tiredness throughout the rest of the next day. Many patients visit their urologist in a panic believing that they may have prostate cancer and for the vast majority, this is not the case. It is worth remembering that early stages of prostate cancer do not present with urinary symptoms similar to BPH. However, this reassurance does not address the underlying cause of the enlargement and the resultant symptoms.
Does Peyronie’s Disease ever Resolve Itself?
To understand the progression of Peyronie’s disease, it is important to know exactly what it is. Peyronie’s disease is the buildup of scar tissue around the lining of the corpora cavernosa causing the abnormal curvature of the penis – most commonly, upwards. There are various causes of Peyronie’s, but regardless, the change is distressing for most and is a common cause of a visit to a specialized urologist.
When to See Your Urologist About Blood in Your Urine
Seeing blood in the urine can be startling and, in most cases, should be evaluated by a qualified and experienced urologist such as Dr. Engel. Blood in the urine, except after certain procedures, is not normal, and should not be ignored. However, you can rest assured that the majority of cases are not of significant concern. Some of the most common reasons for seeing blood in the urine include:
- Urinary Tract Infection or UTI
- Kidney Stones
- Kidney Disease
- Certain medications
- Strenuous exercise
- More rarely, kidney, bladder or prostate cancer
- History of pelvic radiation
- Post-prostatectomy and post-TURP
Is It BPH or Prostate Cancer?
Many men come to our office with lower urinary tract symptoms or LUTS and very concerned about the prospect of prostate cancer. While there is always a chance of prostate cancer, the likelihood of other prostate conditions is far higher. In fact, prostate cancer is most often asymptomatic except in the very worst stages of the disease. So, right off the bat, it is important to understand the “symptoms of prostate cancer” are, more likely than not, related to the common, non-cancerous condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH.
