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.

 

Changed
02/Nov/2021

Stories

  • Highest number of diabetes-linked TB cases (302,000) in India, says Lancet
    Diabetes is making an increasingly important contribution to the TB epidemic and a 52% increase in diabetes prevalence recorded over the last 3 years in the 22 highest TB burden countries is thought to be responsible for a rise in diabetes-associated TB cases from 10% in 2010 to 15% in 2013,” says the Lancet study to be published in the medical journal this week. Read more here  Diabetes has long been known to be a risk factor for active tuberculosis and reactivation of latent tuberculosis…
  • Healthy Foods and Treats in Singapore
    Juliana Lim has had Type II diabetes for 27 years. Here, she shares her diabetes and cholesterol friendly secrets and her little treats. She is a committee member of Diabetic Society of Singapore and represents the Diabetic Support Group.  Food - Try to include the following in your daily diet: 1. Small black fungus -These are easily available in supermarkets and can definitely help to manage your blood sugar. 2. Ladies fingers (Okra) - Try to get the fresher ones.…
  • The Sweet Truth
    All you need to know about artificial sweeteners and sugar-free treats. By Dr Gita Mathai, a paediatrician and family practitioner.  Food is enjoyed if it looks, smells and tastes good. It needs to provide an appetising blend of salt, sugar, bitters, sourness and spice. The first three in excess are “injurious to health”, and, of these, sugar is considered the greatest villain of all. It is purported to be singlehandedly responsible for the global epidemic of…
  • External signs of disease
    What your body may be trying to tell you
    Abnormally dry skin? Change in hair colour or shape of your nails? Even simple changes in the body may signify an underlying problem that you need to get checked out. By Dr Gita Mathai, paediatrician and family practitioner, shares tips to help you stay vigilant. The Skin should be a healthy colour.  • If it turns yellow, you may have jaundice.  • If it looks pale, get checked for anaemia. Here's how to manage iron-deficient anaemia. • Excessively cracked and…
  • Ramadan Fasting Tips For People With Diabetes
    People with diabetes need to be very careful during Ramadan in order to maintain good glycemic control. Here are some tips for those who are fasting during this period.  During the fasting month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world are fasting during daylight hours, eating two meals a day – Sehri or Suhoor (at pre-dawn) and Iftar (at sunset).  For people with diabetes taking insulin or on some medication, the many hours without food and water puts them at risk of…
  • , , ,
    Yoga - Sarpasana or Snake Pose
    Meaning Sarpa means snake. Sarpasana mimics the posture of a snake. Benefits of Sarpasana 1. It strengthens the back and makes the spine supple. 2. The posture helps to stretch the abdominal cavity and the chest. 3. It stimulates and directly exercises internal organs such as the pancreas, intestines, liver and kidneys. Thus Sarpasana is believed to help manage diabetes. 4. It massages the pelvis and the reproductive organs, helps in menstrual and other gynaecological disorders. 5. It deepens…
  • Diabetic Complications - Nephropathy - Kidney
    The function of the kidney is to rid the body of toxins and to purify the blood. Diabetes can reduce the kidney’s ability to filter waste products, leading to build-up of waste products in the body. Anatomy of the kidney This is how the kidney works: The end functioning unit of the kidney is the glomerulus, which filters out ammonia, urea and other chemicals from the blood entering the kidneys. Blood vessels that enter the kidney are called afferent and those exiting are…
  • Focus on exercise and diet control
    Says Mumbai-based Pradeep , 59, who gave up sweets and took up yoga to keep his diabetes under control. Q. What kind of diabetes are you suffering from?  Type 2 diabetes Q. When were you diagnosed? 1994 Q. Early symptoms? I had pain in my legs and general lethargy. Q. Is there diabetes in the family? No Q. Did you start managing it immediately or was there another trigger point? I started managing immediately. Q. What is your present condition? Diabetes is fully under control. Q. What…
  • Wing of an aeroplane indicating Air Travel
    Diabetes and Travel - Carry A Doctor's Note
    Despite being insulin-dependent, Jayesh Shah (54) continues to globe-trot for work. All it needs is a little extra planning, he says. Here, he shares his top tips for travelling safely with diabetes.  • Carry the doctor’s prescription with you • Inform airport security that you are a diabetic • When travelling across time zones, adjust your medication and food intake as per the time zone that you are currently in • Do not skip any meals; over eating is better than fasting,…
  • , , , ,
    Yoga - Ardha Pavanamuktasana
    Meaning: Ardha is half.  Pavan is air/wind/gas. Asana is posture. This asana’s name reflects its benefits, that is, the release of unnecessary gases from the body, especially the stomach. Benefits 1. It strengthens the lower back and stretches the spinal cord. It is thus particularly good for treating back pain. 2. The posture helps to massage the abdomen and the digestive system thereby eliminating wind and preventing constipation. 3. It stimulates and directly exercises internal organs…