NUMEROUS chronic issues, such as incontinence, sexual dysfunction, frequent urination, and others, can be uncomfortable, embarrassing, or even be symptoms of much more serious disorders. There is no reason to be ashamed. However, there is every reason to get care right away as Jamaica has specialists who treat these illnesses on a daily basis.

Don’t let your issue disturb or put your life in jeopardy. If any of the following apply to you, see a urologist in this year:

Blood in urine

Contact your primary care physician right away to ask for assistance setting up an appointment with a urologist if you notice blood in your urine. Your urine may contain blood if it does not have the typical pale-yellow tint and instead appears brown, pink, or tea-coloured. This condition could be transient and brought on by an accident or overly strenuous exercise. However, it may also be a sign of much more significant issues, like:

An infected bladder

Renal infection

Renal stones

Prostate, kidney, or bladder cancer.

Poor bladder control

Urinary incontinence, or losing control of the bladder, is a widespread and frequently unpleasant issue. The intensity can range from occasionally dribbling pee when you cough or sneeze to having a sudden, intense urge to urinate that prevents you from reaching a restroom in time. Do not put off seeing a urologist if your urine incontinence interferes with your everyday activities.

Painful urination

This may occur in females due to a urinary tract infection. Urethritis and a few prostate disorders are the main contributing factors in males. Additional factors for both sexes include:

Urinary stones

Chlamydia

Cystitis

Sexually transmissible diseases

Renal stones

Prostate swelling

Infection of the womb

Candida infection.

Pain in lower stomach, side of back or groin

Kidney stones can cause this pain, and further symptoms may include:

Excruciating agony when standing, sitting, or resting down

Urine with blood in it

Trouble urinating

Flu-related nausea, vomiting, and fever.

It’s critical to see a urologist as soon as possible as these symptoms may also point to other urologic issues. Why? Lifetime recurrence rates range from 60 to 80 per cent and can result in irreversible kidney damage if ignored. If you have kidney stones when pregnant they could result in an early labour, unbearable agony that could be fatal if left untreated, or urosepsis (potentially fatal if not immediately treated).

Fallen bladder protrusion

This illness affects women and can have an impact on the cervix, urethra, vagina, and uterus. Nearly 50 per cent of mothers struggle with this issue. It can develop due to a number of circumstances such as:

Age

Obesity

Vaginal delivery

Compromised muscles.

Some symptoms include:

Tissue in or sticking out of the vagina

Pelvic discomfort

Trouble urinating

Feeling shortly after urinating that your bladder is not emptied

Urine leaking when you cough, sneeze, or exert yourself

Frequent bladder infections

Painful sex exchange

A low backache.

Although there are successful, non-surgical and surgical treatment options available, many women are too ashamed to talk about their illness.

Male sexual problems

Over 90 per cent of the 20 to 30 million American males who experience erection difficulties are too ashamed to seek therapy. In addition to being annoying, erectile dysfunction can be dangerous because it could be a sign of a more serious medical condition. Age matters, particularly for males over 40. Additional factors include:

A cardiovascular condition

Diabetes

Depression

Urinary stones

Chlamydia

Cystitis

Sexually transmissible diseases

Renal stones

Prostate swelling

Candida infection.

Overactive bladder (OAB)

An overactive bladder (OAB) can adversely affect your day-to-day activities, employment, quality of sleep, and connections with friends and family. Symptoms of an overactive bladder may include:

Frequency: Passing urine often during the day

Urgency: This is the overwhelming desire to pass urine

Urge incontinence: This is characterised by a bit of unintentional leaking when that strong desire to urinate is felt.

Nocturia: Getting up often at nights to pass urine. the volume of urine may be small when you go to the bathroom and not usually large volumes.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

UTIs may be characterised by a change in urinary patterns secondary to infections , the more common symptoms being:

Urgency

Dysuria (burning or discomfort on peeing)

Frequency

Lower abdominal discomfort

Prostate issues

As men get older the prostate (a male organ that forms the first part of the urinary tract below the bladder ) may become enlarged (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and may also present with gradual deteriorating urinary symptoms which may crescendo with inability to pass urine associated with pain amongst other urinary symptoms which may initially go unnoticed. There are increased risks for urinary tract infections, bladder stone formation and renal impairment amongst other debilitating conditions .

The risk of prostate cancer also increases and although in its early stages it has no symptoms , in its advanced stage it can present with symptoms similar to an enlarged non cancerous prostate (BPH) as well as other symptoms including back pain, sudden rapid loss of lower limb function and symptoms of significant renal impairment (leg swelling, shortness of breath etc.)

Furthermore, health is wealth. There is no sense in chasing financial goals and neglecting your health to only then spend your earnings on attempting to recapture your health, which isn’t guaranteed. See your general practitioner or your health centre at least once for the year for a general check-up. If any of the above symptoms exist or persist then certainly see your urologist or your medical practitioner who may refer you to a specialist (urologist) .

As per the World Health Organization, health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. So take time out to do what makes you happy once it’s not self-harming or harmful to others; laugh a lot; exercise regularly; pay attention to your diet; and eat healthy meals more often than not. If you’re reading this it means you have much to be thankful for, because you’ve made it to 2023. A happy, healthy and prosperous new year to you all.

Dr Jeremy Thomas is a consultant urologist. He works privately in Montego Bay, Savanna-la-Mar and Kingston, and publicly at Cornwall Regional Hospital. He may be contacted on Facebook and Instagram: @jthomasurology or by e-mail: jthomasurology@gmail.com