Kidney Stones: Problems and Solutions

In America, about one person in ten will build up a kidney stone within their lifetime. In 2010, kidney stones were accountable for more than 600,000 emergency room visitors. The doctors with Metropolitan Urological Specialists in Washington, Florissant, and St. Louis, Missouri have some important information to keep you in the loop on your potential risks.

A kidney stone is just mineral deposit that forms in the urinary tract. Kidney stones form when crystals, which are present in the urine, start to be stuck to each other and gradually build up into a rock-like mass. At the start, kidney stones are rather little in size, but with time, as more and more crystals join, they're able to grow quite large.

Why is it that kidney stones develop?

The deposits that form kidney stones are made from substances normally seen in the urine. These compounds include calcium, oxalate, phosphate, uric acid, and other chemical substances. Your kidneys most frequently excrete these compounds into the urine. However, when their concentration in the urine is really high, these chemicals don't stay dissolved and rather will crystallize and precipitate outside of the urine. There are some other components in the urine generally known as inhibitors which help to keep the crystals from staying together. If the concentration of crystals is too high or the relative level of inhibitors is too low, a kidney stone will develop. Numerous factors can contribute to your likelihood of having kidney stone, including your familial genetic predisposition, eating habits, and fluid intake, where you live, as well as your work environment.

What are the different kinds of kidney stones?

There are various a variety of kidney stones, each having distinctive chemical composition.

The majority of kidney stones have calcium. Calcium stones are made of calcium that is chemically bound to either oxalate (calcium oxalate stones) or phosphate (calcium phosphate stones). Among these, calcium oxalate is much more common. Pure calcium phosphate stones are the rarest and usually show an underlying illness or metabolic condition. The most commonly known stone composition is mix of mostly calcium oxalate with a bit of calcium phosphate.

About 15 percent of kidney stones don't have calcium. These include uric acid stones, struvite stones, and cystine stones.

Just how typical are kidney stones?

In the USA, about 1 individual in ten will develop a kidney stone in their lifetime. In 2010, kidney stones were to blame for over 600,000 emergency room visitors. We understand that men are more predisposed to have kidney stones than ladies. Those with caucasian origin are five times more prone to have kidney stones than African-Americans. Stone incidence peaks between 40 and 50 years of age and generally seems to decline.

What are my chances of recurrence?

Kidney stones tend to recur. If a man has already established one kidney stone, and does nothing to reduce his risk of recurrence, research has revealed he's got about a 60% to seventy percent chance of having another. If a man has had two kidney stones, the likelihood of recurrence reach more than ninety percent. The chances of recurrence are a little lower for women.

There are certainly actions you can take to seriously lessen your chance of recurrence. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the experts at Metropolitan Urological Specialists. They have offices in St. Louis, Washington, and Florissant, MO.

The Overactive Bladder Diagnosis Process

If, shortly after consulting with a doctor, it is established that you need to get an official diagnosis regarding the prospect of overactive bladder (OAB,) there are a number of steps that will need to occur. Before you reach that point, you may want to review what will be required. If that is the case, please evaluate the information below from Metropolitan Urological Specialists pertaining to overactive bladder in Saint Louis, MO. We are going to walk you through the entire procedure, from the medical history to the voiding diary to the physical examination to the diagnostic procedures.

A thorough medical history is absolutely necessary for a suitable overactive bladder diagnosis. Typically, this means you are going to have to compile a journal of your bowel habits, whether there is discomfort involved, whether you have to strain, and your patterns of urination and whether or not there is any sort of leakage. There are a number of other factors that may be taken into consideration, including any history of illness you might have, surgeries and particularly pelvic surgeries you may have, pregnancies, and any medications you may be taking, including both prescription and non-prescription medication. Those are the big items which you will need to have prepared. However, if you are elderly, there is a possibility your Saint Louis urologist will request you to get an examination of your mental status and social and environmental factors.

When you have all of that background info put together, it is going to be time for your urological specialist to carry out the actual in-office examination. There are many different elements of a physical examination which might or might not be necessary for you specifically. Note that not all of these will necessarily need to happen in your specific case.

• A neurologic status examination of your abdomen, pelvis, genitals, and rectum.
• A cough stress test in which you cough vigorously while your doctor observes any urine loss that comes about. Precisely how much leakage occurs and the manner in which it transpires can speak volumes to the problem's origination.
• A urine test, which should identify any bacteria, blood, pus, or unwanted glucose or protein within the urine.
• A postvoid residual volume, or PRV, test. In this test, an ultrasound exam is going to take place right after you void, determining if there is any hesitancy, straining, or disrupted flow. Since the results can fluctuate, you might need to have this test carried out numerous times.
• A urodynamic examination, which establishes the pressure and capacity of your bladder. There are all types of assessments in this category, so be prepared for whatever your physician recommends for your Saint Louis overactive bladder diagnosis.
• A smattering of other endoscopic or imaging tests.

While all of these things might seem a tad uncomfortable, the fact remains that overactive bladder is something you must get diagnosed as soon as possible. There is absolutely no reason for you to need to face its symptoms when there is treatment readily accessible. Urological health is not a little something you can ignore. Whenever you are prepared to take the vital step of seeing a urology expert to diagnose your condition, please think about going to Metropolitan Urological Specialists. Their team of professionals is ready and willing to help patients in Creve Coeur, Washington, Florissant, Crestwood, and all over the Saint Louis, Missouri area.

Treating BPH Symptoms in Saint Louis

When you imagine all of the things that take place whenever you get older, you may think of watching your grandkids grow up, slowing down, and also perhaps gaining a little extra weight. One thing which you might not think of is benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH. However, if you are a male and you are beginning to get older, this is something that should be on your radar. Of course, with "benign" being inside the name, you might assume that it is nothing to be concerned about. All that actually means is that it will not automatically become cancerous.

However, it may very seriously impact your quality of life. BPH can cause a number of adverse symptoms, similar to prostate cancer in Saint Louis men can. You may experience difficulty passing urine or pass urine a lot more frequently. That might mean more urgency whenever you have to urinate as well. You may find yourself leaking urine if you are afflicted with BPH. Even erectile dysfunction is a very strong probability for many men in Saint Louis with BPH.

Of course, the obvious question is what you should do if you begin to experience the symptoms of BPH. The 2 primary routes to take are supplements and life adjustments. The most suitable treatment is very likely a combination of both. There are a few other more radical possibilities, including surgery, but it is almost always a smart idea to attempt other methods prior to resorting to that. The absolute best thing you can do is to seek advice from a skillful Creve Couer, MO urologist to get a qualified opinion. To get you kicked off with the basics, here is a little bit of info from the pros at Metropolitan Urological Specialists in Saint Louis, MO.

Supplements

The large bulk of supplements that are effective will properly minimize your symptoms by lowering your cholesterol levels. Of course, you probably know that lowering cholesterol has a multitude of positive health affects, including strengthening your heart health, cutting down on the affects of varicose veins, and of course regulating BPH. Once again, make certain you talk with your urologist before you start taking a new supplement.

• Pygeum africanum: 75 to 200 milligrams a day in divided doses
• Pumpkin seed (cucurbita pepo) oil: 320 milligrams a day
• Flaxseed and SDG: 300 to 600 milligrams a day
• Beta-sitosterol and other plant sterols: 60 to 195 milligrams a day in split doses (or up to 2,000 to 3,000 milligrams a day in divided dosages potentially )
• Cernilton: This one virtually makes the list, but actually only just. It has a history of greatly improving quality of life and lessening pain in men with chronic prostatitis, also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

There are certain supplements which purportedly are reliable in dealing with BPH, but actually have little or no evidence of working out. DHEA is one of those supplements. Really, it has been known to boost the size of the prostate, not decrease it. Zinc is another example of this. In fact, certain studies have indicated that zinc has been connected to prostate cancer progression.

Lifestyle Changes

It may not come as a big surprise to you that having a healthy heart can lead to good overall health. Nonetheless, you should know that this is particularly true about the prostate. There is a very clear link between a healthy heart and a healthy prostate. Having a normal weight, a normal blood pressure, and a normal blood glucose and cholesterol level can all play a factor in decreasing the progression of BPH. As a result, if you make the lifestyle changes that will keep your heart healthy, you are likewise making the lifestyle changes that will keep your prostate healthy.

Exercise is a critical part of prostate health too. If you exercise for about thirty minutes every day, you are going to be a long ways toward reducing the affects of BPH.

As you can see, BPH is a very treatable health condition. There is very little reason for you frequently having to feel the affects of it, like urine leakage and erectile dysfunction. If you think that you may have benign prostatic hyperplasia, do not delay in getting in touch with Metropolitan Urological Specialists. With office spaces in Saint Louis proper, Florissant, and Washington, MO, they are on call to serve your needs as you make your journey towards prostate health. If you have any questions about BPH in Saint Louis, MO, they are the people to talk with.

What is Interstitial Cystitis, AKA Bladder Pain Syndrome?

When it comes to urological health in Saint Louis, MO, there are a number of conditions which require the expertise of a urological health specialist. One such condition is interstitial cystitis, which is likewise known as bladder pain syndrome. Those who reside in the Saint Louis area, including Creve Coeur, Florissant, Kirkwood, Crestwood, Chesterfield, and Washington, MO, can count on the specialists at Metropolitan Urological Specialists to be there for them as they cope with this serious condition. However, just prior to scheduling an appointment, why not read through the following information so you can have a basis of info about interstitial cystitis.

Female Urinary Tract

Interstitial cystitis (IC)/ bladder pain syndrome (BPS) is a continual bladder health problem. It is a sense of pain and pressure in the bladder area. Along with this discomfort are lower urinary tract signs and symptoms that have lasted for more than 6 weeks, without having an infection or other clear causes.

Symptoms range from mild to severe. For some patients the symptoms might come and go, and for other folks they do not go away. IC/BPS is not an infection, but it might seem like a bladder infection. Women with IC/BPS might experience pain when having sex. The more severe instances of IC/BPS can affect your life and your loved ones. Some people with IC/BPS have other health and wellness issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other pain syndromes.

Male Urinary Tract

The bladder and kidneys are part of the urinary system, the organs in our bodies which make, store, and pass urine. You have 2 kidneys that make urine. Then urine is stored in the bladder. The muscles within the lower portion of your abdomen secure your bladder in place.

How the Urinary System Works

When it is not full of urine, the bladder is relaxed. Whenever nerve signals within your brain let you know that your bladder is getting full, you feel the need to pass urine. If your bladder is functioning normally, you may put off urination for some time. Once you are prepared to successfully pass urine, the brain sends a signal to the bladder. Then the bladder muscles squeeze (or "contract"). This forces the urine out through the urethra, the tube that carries urine from your body. The urethra has muscles called sphincters. They help keep the urethra sealed so urine doesn't leak before you're set to go to the restroom. These sphincters loosen up when the bladder contracts.

Now is your chance to make the call to contact the urological health experts at Metropolitan Urological Specialists. They can walk you through what treatments are most ideal for handling your interstitial cystitis in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Types of Urinary Incontinence and What That Means For You

Urinary incontinence is leaking of urine that you aren't able to control. Many American males and females have to deal with urinary incontinence. We don't know for certain precisely how many. That's due to the fact that many people do not tell anybody about their symptoms. They might be embarrassed, or they may think nothing can be done. So they suffer in silence.

Urinary incontinence is not only a health issue. It can affect emotional, psychological and social life. Lots of folks who have urinary incontinence hesitate to undertake normal day-to-day activities. They don't want to be too far from a toilet. Urinary incontinence can keep men and women from enjoying life.

Lots of folks think urinary incontinence is just an aspect of growing older. But it's not. And it may be managed or treated by a urology expert like those at Metropolitan Urological Specialists in Saint Louis, MO. Learn more here. Talk to a physician. Discover what treatment is best for you.

Key Statistics

A quarter to a third of people in the United States suffer from urinary incontinence. That means millions of Americans. About 33 million have overactive bladder (also referred to as OAB) representing symptoms of urgency, frequency and with or without urge incontinence.

Studies suggest that many things increase risk. For instance, aging is linked to urinary incontinence. Pregnancy, delivery, and number of children raise the risk in women. Women who have had a little one have higher rates of urinary incontinence. The risk boosts with the number of kids. This is true for cesarean section (c-section) and vaginal delivery.

Ladies who get urinary incontinence whilst expecting are more probable to have it later. Women following menopause (whose periods have ceased) may cultivate urinary incontinence. This may result from the drop in estrogen (the female sex hormone). Taking estrogen, however, has not been demonstrated to help urinary incontinence.

Men who have prostate cancer are also at increased risk. Some medicines are connected to urinary incontinence and some medications make it much worse. Statistics reveal that poor overall health also increases hazard. Diabetes, stroke, hypertension and smoking cigarettes are also connected.

Obesity raises the danger of urinary incontinence. Losing weight can enhance bladder function and lessen urinary incontinence symptoms.

What happens usually?

The brain and the bladder control urinary functionality. The bladder stores urine up until you are ready to empty it. The muscles inside the lower part of the pelvis keep the bladder in position. Typically, the smooth muscle of the bladder is relaxed. This holds the urine inside the bladder. The neck (end) of the bladder is shut. The sphincter muscles are closed around the urethra. The urethra is the pipe which carries urine out of the body. When the sphincter muscles keep the urethra closed, urine doesn't leak.

Whenever you are ready to urinate, the mind transmits a signal to the bladder. After that the bladder muscles contract. This compels the urine out through the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the body. The sphincters open up whenever the bladder contracts.

What are the kinds of urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is not a disease. It is a manifestation of numerous conditions. Causes may vary for males and females, but it is not hereditary or a normal aspect of getting old. These are the four types of urinary incontinence that are identified in Saint Louis, Creve Coeur, Florissant, and Kirkwood, MO:

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)

With SUI, weak pelvic muscles let urine escape. It is among the most frequent types of urinary incontinence. It is common in older women. It is less prevalent in men.

SUI happens when the pelvic floor muscles have stretched. Exercise puts pressure on the bladder. Then the bladder leaks. Leaking may occur with exercise, walking, bending, lifting, or perhaps sneezing and coughing. It might be a couple of drops of urine to a tablespoon or even more. SUI can be mild, moderate or severe.

There are absolutely no FDA authorized medicines to treat SUI yet, but there are things you may do. Ways to manage SUI include "Kegel" exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor. Lifestyle changes, vaginal and urethral devices, pads, and even surgery are other methods to manage SUI.

Overactive Bladder (OAB)

OAB is one more common form of urinary incontinence. It is also called "urgency" incontinence. OAB impacts more than 30% of men and 40% of women within the U.S. It impacts people's lives. They may limit activities. They might fear they will suddenly need to urinate when they aren't near a restroom. They might not even have the opportunity to get a good night's sleep. Certain people have both SUI and OAB and this is called mixed incontinence.

With OAB, your brain tells your bladder to empty - even when it isn't really full. Or the bladder muscles are too active. They tighten (squeeze) to pass urine before your bladder is full. This results in the impulse (need) to urinate.

The main sign of OAB is the sudden urge to urinate. You cannot control or brush off this "got ta go" sensation. Another sign is needing to urinate many times throughout the day and night.

OAB is more likely in men with prostate issues and in ladies after menopause. It is caused by many things. Even diet can influence OAB. There are a number of treatments. They consist of lifestyle changes, drugs that unwind the bladder muscle, or surgery. Some people have both SUI and OAB.

Mixed Incontinence (SUI and OAB)

Some people leak urine with activity (SUI) and frequently feel the urge to urinate (OAB). This is mixed incontinence. The individual has both SUI and OAB.

Overflow Incontinence

With overflow incontinence, the body makes more urine than the bladder can hold or the bladder is full and can not empty thus causing it to leak urine. Additionally, there may be something preventing the flow or the bladder muscle may not contract (squeeze) as it should.

One sign is frequent urinating of a tiny amount. Another symptom is a constant drip, called "dribbling."

This type of urinary incontinence is rare in women. It is a lot more common in men who have prostate problems or have had prostate surgery.

Regardless of what kind of urinary incontinence you suffer from, you do not need to suffer forever. The experts at Metropolitan Urological Specialists have years of experience serving patients with urinary incontinence in Crestwood, MO, Chesterfield, and Washington, along with the surrounding areas. Please consider reaching out to them if you have questions about how to treat this or any other urological health problem.

Info Credit: Urologyhealth.org

How Do I Know If I Have Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is whenever cancer forms in the prostate gland. It is the second-leading cause of cancer fatalities for men in the United States. About 1 in 7 males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer within their lifespan. This year, more than 160,000 males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. A lot of those are going to be Saint Louis prostate cancer patients.

Growths in the prostate may be benign (not cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Benign growths (such as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH):

• Are rarely a risk to life.
• Do not invade the tissues around them.
• Do not spread to other portions of the body.
• Can be removed and may grow back very slowly (but usually don't grow back).

Malignant growths (prostate cancer):

• May sometimes be a danger to life
• Can infect nearby organs and tissues (like the bladder or rectum)
• Can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body (such as lymph nodes or bone)
• Commonly may be removed but sometimes grow back

Prostate cancer cells can spread by breaking away from a prostate tumor. They can travel throughout blood vessels or lymph nodes to reach other parts of the body. After spreading, cancer cells might connect to other tissues and flourish to form new tumors, creating damage where they land. That is why it is very important to talk to a Saint Louis prostate cancer treatment specialist such as those at Metropolitan Urological Specialists if you have or think you might have prostate cancer.

When prostate cancer spreads from its original place to another portion of the body, the new tumor has the same kind of abnormal cells and the exact same name as the primary (original) tumor. For example, if prostate cancer spreads to the bones, the cancerous cells within the bones are actually prostate cancer cells. The disease is metastatic prostate cancer, not bone cancer. Because of that, it's treated as prostate cancer in bone.

The Prostate

The prostate and seminal vesicles are part of the male reproductive system. The prostate is approximately the size of a walnut and weighs approximately one ounce. The seminal vesicles are two much smaller paired glands. These glands are attached to each side of the prostate. The prostate is below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It goes all the way around the urethra. The urethra is a tube which carries urine from the bladder out through the penis.

The principal job of the prostate and seminal vesicles is to make fluid for semen. During ejaculation, sperm is produced within the testicles, and then relocates to the urethra. At the same time, fluid from the prostate and the seminal vesicles also moves into the urethra. This mix -semen - goes through the urethra and out of the penis as ejaculate.

When cancer appears, it is discovered in the prostate gland and virtually never within the seminal vesicles.

Throughout its early stages, prostate cancer normally has no symptoms. Whenever symptoms do occur, they may be like those of an enlarged prostate or BPH. Prostate cancer may also trigger symptoms unrelated to BPH. If you have urinary problems, talk with your healthcare provider about them.

Symptoms of prostate cancer could be:

• Dull pain in the lower pelvic area
• Frequent urinating
• Trouble urinating, pain, burning, or weakened urine flow.
• Blood in the urine (Hematuria)
• Uncomfortable ejaculation
• Pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of weight
• Bone pain

If you see these symptoms, perhaps it is time for you to seek the advice of a prostate cancer professional. Metropolitan Urological Specialists has a team of prostate cancer experts who know how to identify the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer and develop the most ideal course of treatment. They specialize in meeting the urological health needs of St Louis, Creve Coeur, Florissant, Kirkwood, Crestwood, Chesterfield, and Washington, MO.

Info Credit: UrologyHealth.org

Solutions for Female Stress Urinary Incontinence

Metropolitan Urological Specialists of Saint Louis, Missouri, with offices in Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Florissant, and Washington, MO is all about offering advanced answers for widespread women's health conditions. Their objective is to offer useful, easy-to-understand facts so women, with their physicians, can examine their options and work out informed decisions.

What's Stress Urinary Incontinence?

Stress Urinary Incontinence, or SUI, is the abrupt, accidental release of urine during normal, daily activities. SUI is a different condition than Overactive Bladder (OAB), a condition characterized by urgency, frequency, waking up at night with or without bladder leaks. Many women have both of the varieties of incontinence. You may have SUI if you lose urine whenever you:

• Cough, sneeze, or laugh
• Walk, exercise, or lift something
• Rise from a sitting or lying position

It's also possible to visit bathroom frequently each day to avoid accidents. If you suffer from stress urinary incontinence, this means your urethra (the tubing from the bladder by which urine leaves your body) does not stay closed until it is time to urinate. This problem may occur as a result of:

• Pregnancy and childbearing
• Sustained heavy-lifting or straining
• Menopause
• Obesity
• Cigarette smoking

Most Common Symptoms Of Stress Urinary Incontinence

If you are experiencing urine leakage, take a moment to ask yourself:

• Do you suffer from urine leakage when laughing, sneezing, coughing, or working out?
• Do you wear panti-liners or pads to absorb urine leakage?
• Do you reduce or eliminate activities to avoid leakage?
• When arranging trip, outing, or event, does the availableness of restroom facilities impact your decision?

If you responded "yes" to even one of these straightforward questions, take the next step and talk with a physician or some other healthcare professional such as those at Metropolitan Urological Specialists in St. Louis, MO. Talking about the problem is the most important thing you could do to start taking charge of your bladder symptoms. Sadly, for many women, it's the toughest step. It should not be shameful-- urinary incontinence is a medical issue which is treatable. Consider asking your physician the subsequent questions to make that discussion a little bit easier:

• Which type of urinary incontinence do I have? 
• What medications are there to help me reclaim urinary control?
• What type is right for me?
• Can you manage this issue , or can you refer me to a doctor specializing in female urinary incontinence?

Treatments

Stress urinary incontinence is treatable at every age. Yet not all of the techniques work for everyone or even for all types of incontinence. For SUI, your physician may encourage one or more of the following:

1. Behavioral/Muscle Therapy: Therapy often starts off with Kegel exercises to help you build the pelvic floor muscles. Based on the extent of your condition, nevertheless, Kegels may not bring sufficient relief.
2. Biofeedback: With this method, the patient exercises the pelvic floor muscles while connected to an electrical sensing device. The device produces "feedback" to allow you to learn to better control these muscle groups. As time passes, biofeedback will allow you to use your pelvic muscles to diminish unpredicted urges to urinate and minimize some types of pelvic pain.
3. Electrical stimulation: This technique aids pelvic floor exercises by isolating the muscles involved. 
4. Medication: Some patients have both SUI and OAB. OAB symptoms are treatable with medications; but at this time there aren't any drugs approved to relieve SUI in the United States.
5. Surgery: An outpatient treatment, called Transvaginal Tape, can be performed to place small piece of mesh underneath the tube you urinate through (urethra) through the vagina.

This information is presented by Metropolitan Urological Specialists. If you have any further queries about stress urinary incontinence for women or any other urological issues, get an appointment at one of our practices' locations in Creve Coeur, Kirkwood, Florissant or Washington, Missouri.