MOUNT VERNON – From kidney stones to prostate problems, the urology department at Knox Community Hospital can provide relief.
“Many of our patients have classic urinary issues such as frequency, urgency, urinary leakage,” Dr. Jed Henry told the Mount Vernon News.
Blood in the urine is also a potentially serious problem that patients encounter.
“We need to make sure the patient has a workup to be sure there is nothing abnormal there,” Henry said.
Prostate-related issues include an enlarged prostate and cancer of the prostate. The hospital recommends that men over 50 have a blood test for prostate cancer once a year. African Americans or those with a family history of prostate cancer in particular should starting getting the annual tests at age 40.
The hospital also treats male infertility.
Urinary problems could be a sign of diabetes, the physician added.
“If the patient is having an abnormal increase of urine output during the day or night, that could be an early sign of diabetes,” he said.
Henry noted that urological problems can also be related to the kidneys.
“We overlap with kidney specialists, called nephrologists,” he said. “If a person has recurring urological tract infections, that can damage the kidneys.”
Additionally, bladders can be overactive or underactive.
“Some of the nerves to the bladder can be dysfunctional and patients aren’t able to empty their bladders adequately, and that over time can cause damage to the kidneys as well,” Henry said.
Enlarged prostates — which are not necessarily cancerous — can also stop the bladder from emptying completely, and that can lead to kidney damage, the physician said.
The hospital can prescribe medications and also perform procedures that can help improve urination.
“We do noninvasive office procedures where we go in and open up the prostate,” Henry said.
A surgical procedure called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) can also help with enlarged prostates.
One key way to avoid more serious urinary problems such as bladder cancer is to not smoke.
“Smoking is the No. 1 reason by far that patients develop bladder cancers,” Henry said. “As urologists, we are very adamant about trying to encourage cessation of tobacco because we know there is a direct link.”
