Urology Services in Johor | Expert Care by Top Urologists
Urology is a medical specialty that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing disorders related to the urinary tract of men and women, and also the male’s reproductive system. Urologists are specialist doctors who are trained to diagnose, treat and manage a wide variety of urological disorders such as problems of the kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters and bladders, in addition to various male reproductive issues such as erectile dysfunction and prostate conditions.
At Gleneagles Hospital Johor, our team of urology specialists, including some of the best urologists in Johor, is dedicated to providing high-quality care using advanced diagnostic tools and treatments. Whether you're dealing with urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, prostate cancer, or other urological concerns, our team is committed to improving your health and well-being.
Urological Condition Screening at Gleneagles Hospital Johor
Screening tests are crucial for identifying urological conditions, especially for those experiencing symptoms like urinary discomfort or persistent pain. Genetics can play a significant role, so if you have a family history of urological conditions, it's recommended to get screened as soon as symptoms appear, as untreated infections can worsen over time. Screening is even more essential for those with recurring urological issues.
At Gleneagles Hospital Johor, experienced urology specialists conduct a range of screening tests to accurately diagnose and manage urological conditions accurately. These tests may include:
- Imaging tests like Ultrasound, CT, and MRI scans to evaluate the urinary tract and surrounding organs
- Cystoscope, where a scope is inserted via the urinary tract to inspect the bladder and to take samples of tissue for testing
- Urine tests to check for the presence of bacteria or other signs of a disease
- Biopsies to look for cancers and other disorders
- Urodynamic testing to determine how fast urine leaves the body, the volume left behind after, and the pressure of the bladder
With early and accurate screenings by the best urologists in Johor, we can diagnose and treat urological conditions before they become more severe.
Urology Conditions and Symptoms We Treat
Urological conditions and symptoms are diverse and can often be misdiagnosed, hence a comprehensive screening is recommended to discern and treat the infection accurately. At Gleneagles Hospital Johor, your urology doctor conducts a thorough evaluation, including discussing your symptoms, performing physical exams, and recommending further tests if necessary.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability for a male to achieve or maintain a firm erection for sexual intercourse. Erectile dysfunction can be a result of a combination of physical and psychological issues. Persistent ED can be a sign of underlying health issues such as diabetes or heart disease.
Do consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding your erections or if you're experiencing any other sexual issues, such as premature or delayed ejaculation.
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. It can be a common problem and varies from the occasional leak from a sneeze or cough to a sudden and unbearable urge to urinate.
Urinary incontinence is also not always an inevitable part of aging because all it takes is a simple lifestyle change or some medical treatment to help address any discomfort or stop incontinence.
UTIs occur when bacteria from the digestive system enter the urinary tract, causing pain and infection. If untreated, there is a potential for the infection to spread to the kidneys, making it harder to treat. Anyone is prone to potentially developing a urinary tract infection, though they are more common in women.
Urinary tract infection symptoms may include:
- Pain in the kidneys
- Pelvic pain
- Muscular aches and fatigue
- Pain during urination
- Blood in urine
- Cloudy and strong smelling urine
- Increased urge to urinate
Bladder cancer typically occurs when cells in the bladder begin to grow rapidly and uncontrollably. When enough of these cells develop, they form a tumour which can potentially spread to other parts of the body. Typically, the cancer begins in the urothelium, the innermost lining of the bladder. When it spreads, it often first attacks the lymph nodes, liver, or lungs.
Symptoms of bladder cancer may include:
- Blood in urine
- Loss of appetite followed by weight loss
- Frequent than usual urination
- Pain during urination
- Feeling the urge to urinate even if the bladder isn't full
- Lower back pain on one side
- Weakened urine stream
- Fatigue and weakness
Kidney stones are mineral and salt deposits that form inside your kidneys and can harden and become kidney stones. This usually happens when your urine is overly concentrated leading to crystalisation of these mineral and salt deposits. Passing a stone can be painful, but kidney stones typically do not cause any harm when discovered early.
However, if they become trapped in the urinary tract, they can lead to further complications such as infection.
Though they may not produce any symptoms on their own, you might feel them when they start moving around the kidneys or when they're passed through the ureter.
Later symptoms include:
- Severe pain in the side and back, which may radiate towards the legs in waves
- Pain during urination
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
- Blood in urine
- Fever
BPH is a condition commonly experienced by older men, the prostate may be larger than usual thus placing pressure on the urethra. Some may experience weak streams during urination or wake up frequently to use the bathroom. Some specialists may even attribute the cause of enlargement to hormones.
Because the urethra is pinched, one's bladder has to work twice as hard causing the muscles to become weaker over time.
Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that may arise care:
- Incontinence
- Increased frequency of urination
- Increased urge to urinate even after urinating
Prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer that is often confined to the prostate in its early stages. Most men with prostate cancer may even live for many years without exhibiting any issues.
However, if the tumour begins to spread beyond the prostate, it may cause blockages in the surrounding tissues resulting in these symptoms:
- Increased frequency of urination at night
- Difficulty starting or stopping streams
- Incontinence during laughter, coughs and sneezes
- Painful sensation during urination or ejaculation
- Blood in urine or semen
Diagnosis of Urological Conditions by the Experienced Urologists at Gleneagles Hospital Johor
At Gleneagles Hospital Johor, the urology specialists use advanced diagnostic methods to accurately identify and diagnose urological conditions. We work closely with patients to determine the best course of treatment for their specific needs. Common diagnostic methods include:
The growth of a bacterial culture under laboratory conditions may be used together with urinalysis. This test may help detect the strain of bacteria causing your infection, thus allowing your specialist to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
When severe and recurrent infections occur, a cystoscopy may be recommended where a lens on a thin, long tube allows for a clearer and more detailed examination of the urethra and bladder.
Image capturing tests such as Ultrasounds, CT Scans, and MRIs may be used in patients who experience persistent and/or frequent infections. These tests allow the urology specialist to assess if your urinary tract has any signs of abnormality. A contrast dye may sometimes be used before imaging tests to help highlight the structures of the urinary tract.
Urinalysis involves analysing a urine sample for signs of infection, such as high white blood cell count or bacteria. To ensure accurate results, patients are asked to clean the genital area and collect a mid-stream urine sample to reduce contamination.
Treatment for Various Urological Conditions at Gleneagles Hospital Johor
Though antibiotics or antimicrobials may do the trick by killing infection-causing bacteria, different courses of treatment may be recommended based on the individual's condition and the severity of their symptoms. The urology specialist at Gleneagles Hospital Johor may discuss several methods with you and help you decide on the best one. They will also likely recommend certain lifestyle changes such as increasing water intake to flush out the bacteria. Pain medication may be prescribed to help alleviate discomfort, while the use of a heating pad may also be suggested to help relieve any abdominal or back pain. Our goal at Gleneagles Hospitals is to help you get back on track with your lifestyle and activities. Treatment options such as those listed below depend on the individual's condition and health history.
Treatment for BPH depends on factors such as age, severity, and patient’s general health.
The treatment options include:
- Drug treatment to manage symptoms
- Laser vaporisation for patients with smaller prostate glands
- Surgical treatment to remove the parts of the swollen prostate that are pressing against the urethra
- Simply wait and observe if symptoms are less severe
A urinalysis, which involves testing the urine for signs of infection, will be performed.
Urinary tract infections are often treated with antibiotics. The length of treatment depends on the severity of symptoms. There are other methods that may be used in conjunction with antibiotic treatment to relieve pain, such as:
- Consumption of probiotics to restore healthy bacteria
- Pain medications to ease discomfort
- Increasing fluid intake to flush out bacteria
- Applying heat to alleviate pain
- Avoiding substances that irritate the bladder, such as coffee and spicy foods.
A three-day course of antibiotics is usually sufficient to eliminate the infection for urinary tract infection in patients who are otherwise healthy. If the infection has spread to the kidneys, a longer course of antibiotics may be necessary.
Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type, severity and the cause.
Acute urinary incontinence caused by a kidney stone, infections, or medication side effects often clears out when the root-cause problem is treated. Other urinary incontinence treatment options include:
- Conservative management, such as Biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and simple Kegel exercise
- Continence devices, like bulking substances (collagen or artificial substance) and a pessary (semi-rigid ring) to help reposition and stabilise the bladder and urethra
- Surgical treatment, such as insertion of a thin tube into the bladder (catheterisation) for those whose bladder fails to empty, placement of a pubo-vaginal sling (“hammock”) beneath the bladder to provide support, placement of an artificial sphincter to prevent urine leakage, or sutures to stabilise the bladder
- Medication tailored to the individual’s condition to control symptoms
Subject to the patient’s conditions, a combination of these therapies may be needed, and treatment is tailored to meet individual needs.
Treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) depends on the cause and general health of the patients. There are different treatment options available:
- Oral medication is usually the first line of treatment. It is effective in about 80% of patients but it may not be suitable for everybody as the medication can interact with some prescription medications which the patient may be taking.
- Injection therapy is the second line of treatment if oral medications are unsuccessful. A specific drug can be self-injected by the patient into the shaft of the penis to achieve an erection.
- External suction devices are used to pull blood into the penis to achieve and maintain an erection for intercourse.
- Penile implant surgery which involves placing a prosthetic device for some patients to artificially create an erection
Bladder cancer can often be treated. The right treatment depends on the type, size, location, spread of the cancer, and your overall health.
Main treatments include:
- Surgery: The most common treatment. It may involve removing cancer from the bladder lining, part or all of the bladder, or unblocking urinary passages.
- Chemotherapy: Given before, during, or after surgery/radiotherapy, either directly into the bladder or intravenously, to kill cancer cells and prevent recurrence.
- Radiotherapy: Uses radiation to destroy cancer cells. Sometimes combined with chemotherapy (chemoradiotherapy).
- Targeted Therapy & Immunotherapy: Stop cancer growth or boost the immune system to fight cancer, especially if it spreads, returns, or doesn’t respond well to chemotherapy.
The specialist team of urologists at Gleneagles Hospital Johor will explain options, create a treatment plan, and support you through side effects and recovery. Regular check-ups, scans, and tests help track progress.
Treatment for kidney stones depends on the type of stone’s size, type, and symptoms.
For small stones, drinking water, taking pain relief, or medication known as an alpha blocker to relax the muscles in your ureter, can help you pass the kidney stone without further invasive treatment.
For larger stones or stones that cause symptoms, treatment options include:
- Using sound waves to break up the stones into tiny pieces which then pass in your urine in a 40 to 50 minute procedure called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
- Surgery (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) to remove large stones in the kidney, using small instruments inserted through a small incision in your back.
- Using a scope passed through your ureter and bladder to remove stones trapped in the ureter or kidney.
The urologists at Gleneagles Hospital Johor will work with you to determine the best course of action for your kidney stone treatment, ensuring a tailored and effective solution.
Take Control of Your Urological Health with Expert Care at Gleneagles Hospital Johor
At Gleneagles Hospital Johor, we understand the impact that urological conditions can have on your quality of life. Our dedicated team of urology specialists is committed to providing advanced, personalised care tailored to your unique needs. Whether you're experiencing symptoms related to kidney stones, erectile dysfunction, urinary tract infections, or prostate issues, we offer comprehensive diagnostic, treatment, and support services to help restore your health and well-being. Schedule an appointment with the expert urologists today to explore your treatment options.