Skip to main content
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 9 June 2017

Dr Vinit Shah, an eminent Urologist from Mumbai, helps us understand frequently asked concerns about urology and men’s health.

What are the five most common urological conditions you see in daily practice?

The commonest problems we seen in our daily practice are prostate, stones, urinary infections, urinary incontinence and male sexual problems.

What are the different causative factors of infertility?

Male infertility can have several factors. You can have pre-testicular causes due to hormonal imbalance or testicular causes like varicocele and in some cases post testicular-like obstruction due to old infections. But in a large proportion, even after all investigations, we are sometimes unable to find a cause in which case we label them as having idiopathic infertility.

What tests do you recommend for infertility?

The first and the most important test would be a semen analysis. If hormonal imbalance is suspected, then a male hormonal profile is checked. A sonography of the scrotum to assess testicular size and a Doppler to look for varicocele is commonly asked for.

Is urinary incontinence treatable? What do you suggest as treatment options?

Urinary incontinence is treatable. There are essentially three different types of incontinence: urge incontinence, stress incontinence and mixed type. Urge is treatable by medications while stress incontinence may require the use of a tape inserted surgically.

Are UTIs common in Indian men?

UTI is not as common in males as in females. The infections are common in diabetics and one must undergo investigations to rule out any of the pathology such as presence of obstructions or stones which can be a causative factor for infections. Sexually transmitted infections are also found in these cases.

What are the risk factors for UTI in men?

Common predisposing risk factors include diabetes, kidney stones etc.

When should one see a doctor?

The doctor must be consulted for every infection as the correct treatment in the correct form must be administered

Is daily intake of calcium or calcium supplements a risk factor for formation of kidney stones?

It can be if the fluid intake is not adequate and calcium is taken in excess.

What are the latest advances in kidney stone treatment? How do treatment options depend on stone size or quantity?

Treatment for kidney stones has seen a sea change over the years and almost all stones of any size can be treated by the several options available which range from the non-invasive ESWL or lithotripsy to the minimally invasive PCNL (Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy) and Retrograde Intra-renal surgery with Laser. Today we hardly offer any one open surgery for treatment of their kidney stones.

Is Erectile Dysfunction (ED) a growing concern? How is stress and anxiety dealt with as a causative factor?

Stress and anxiety are both the cause and effect of ED. Managed commonly by counselling and drugs.

Related Reading:Treatment Options for Erectile Dysfunction

What remedies or treatments are patients with ED offered?

ED can be a major concern for those affected. The treatment ranges from use of drugs like viagra to intrapenile injections and use of penile implants for the more severe cases.

 

Stories

  • Dietician Navnidhi Vyas playing the game with waiting families of the patient
    A Game Which Engages and Educates
    Have you wondered if the waiting time at a hospital can be used effectively? Navnidhi Vyas, Senior dietician at Sterling Hospital, Vadodara came up with an engaging twist to the Snakes and Ladders Game to explain a healthy diet structure. And three easy to follow healthy recipes. Diet Snakes and Ladders Game Purpose - To refresh and more importantly educate patient’s relatives about healthy dietary practices in their free time, specially when they are waiting in the hospital for their relatives…
  • Image: Marianne with her 3 sons and her husband
    I Want To Fight Diabetes To Stay Alive For My Grandchildren
    Marianne de Nazareth, 60, who has diabetes, began controlling her sugar levels in all earnestness after she received a jolt with partial loss of her eyesight. Now she is super conscious about her diet and runs with a passion. Take a leaf from her journey. To be diagnosed with diabetes at 35 was the lowest point of my life. It was during the birth of my third child, Steve, that I was detected with borderline sugar. But I never really had time to bother about it. I was caught in the throes of…
  • Image: People in a team building exercise at work lying on the floor and laughing
    Are You Open to Learn, Laugh and Let it go?
    Laughter coach Santhanaram Jayaram talks of the benefits of laughter in the work place and how you can bring laughter into the work place to reduce stress and ease tensions. #WorldLaughterDay The climate of the work environment has certainly changed over time because it used to be that you checked your humor at the door. We use to associate laughter as a bad thing and would not take anyone serious if they laugh too much.Anyone who was caught cracking it up or laughing would most certainly have…
  • Image: A young lady in a summery white crop top, a cool drink with a straw in hand, dark glasses in the other hand
    Tips for a Healthy Summer for People with Chronic Conditions
    With increase in global warming, summers have become much hotter in recent years. Rising temperatures are seen with poor air quality, severe weather patterns and higher UV ray radiation. It becomes important to protect yourself and your family from the extreme heat, especially those who are living with a chronic condition.  Here is a look at certain diseases that are most affected by the summer heat and ways on how they can be better managed during summer. If any of your symptoms are not…
  • Image: Stock pic of a bright healthy liver in the hands of a medical professional
    The Liver Is A Very Forgiving Organ, But Has Its Limits
    Dr. KR Vasudevan, Director Liver Transplantation, PSRI Hospital talks about the major risks for a liver disease and how to keep our liver healthy. Also, are herbs and supplements safe for the liver?  #WorldLiverDay NonAlcoholic Liver disease or NAFLD is the most common cause of Hepatic disease around the world. Why is that? Increasing opulence has brought about changes in life style. Availability of processed food and decreasing physical activity has resulted in accumulation of body fat.…
  • Image: Employees working out next to their desks
    The Healthy Break for Desk Bound Employees
    With ‘Sitting is the new smoking’ belief gaining ground globally, offices are beginning to introduce the workout culture to beat the health risks of a 9-5 desk job. Siemens, a European conglomerate and one of the largest industrial manufacturing companies, has started The Healthy Break in all its offices across India. PatientsEngage talks to Mr. S Ramesh Shankar, Head, Human Resources, Siemens. Working out in office is still a new concept in India. Your company, Siemens, is one of the few…
  • A panel with a green ribbon and text saying Are women more at risk of kidney disease
    Women More at Risk for Kidney Diseases than Men
    On World Kidney Day, Dr Jayesh Lele, earlier National Secretary, Indian Medical Association, helps us understand why women are more likely to have an increased risk of kidney diseases than men. The theme for World Kidney Day 2018 is  ‘Kidneys & Women's Health: Include, Value, Empower’. It aptly highlights the importance of women’s kidneys health and the need to create awareness amongst women as well as give them equal access to healthcare all over the country. Researchers have shown…
  • Divya Parashar as she looks today
    It Takes A Lot Of Hard Work To Keep The Kilos Away
    Dr Divya Parashar, Head of Rehabilitation Psychology, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi, shares about her own battle with weight issues and how her loss of the extra kilos also invited flak. This is me, 12 years ago, when we were packing to return to India, and a few months after I had just turned 30 and started on a journey to regain my health by losing a whole lot of weight. Weight that was playing host to a few medical conditions: PCOD, Metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, pre-…
  • Uncontrolled Diabetes Increases the Risk of Dental Diseases
    Dr Paromita Ganguli, Senior Dental Surgeon with Fortis, Calcutta, explains the correlation between diabetes and dental care, and how the former, if not controlled, can affect dental health adversely. What are the most common oral health problems affecting persons with diabetes? The stomatognathic system comprising the oral cavity, the lining mucosa, the dentition, the periodontium supporting bone muscles and nerves are usually all affected with diabetes.  The most common diseases are:…
  • Epilepsy treatment options and other Frequently Asked Questions
    How to Stop Epileptic Seizures?
    And questions on seizures, ketogenic diet, depression answered by Dr Joy Desai, a Consultant Neurologist in Mumbai and on the Committee of the Bombay Chapter of The Indian Epilepsy Association. #AskTheDoctor series 1.  How effective is surgery for epilepsy cure? Surgery is effective in well selected patients. Patients are evaluated for surgery on 3 conditions: Is their epilepsy arising from one spot in the brain? Has testing confirmed this site and will it be possible to intervene and…