Phone: 413-785-5321 Fax: 413-731-7130 OFFICES LOCATED IN SPRINGFIELD NORTHAMPTON WESTFIELD ENFIELD Conditions We Treat Conditions We Treat Bladder Cancer The bladder is an organ located in the pelvic cavity that stores and discharges urine. Urine is produced by the kidneys, carried to the bladder by the ureters, and discharged from the bladder through the urethra. Bladder cancer accounts for approximately 90% of cancers of the urinary tract (renal pelvis, ureters, bladder, urethra). BPH Enlarged Prostate The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. The gland is made of two lobes, or regions, enclosed by an outer layer of tissue. As the diagrams show, the prostate is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder, where urine is stored. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the canal through which urine passes out of the body. It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man ages. Doctors call this condition benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign prostatic hypertrophy. BPH rarely causes symptoms before age 40, but more than half of men in their sixties and as many as 90 percent in their seventies and eighties have some symptoms of BPH. As the prostate enlarges, the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the gland to press against the urethra like a clamp on a garden hose. The bladder wall becomes thicker and irritable. The bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more frequent urination. Eventually, the bladder weakens and loses the ability to empty itself, so some of the urine remains in the bladder. The narrowing of the urethra and partial emptying of the bladder cause many of the problems associated with BPH. Erectile Dysfunction Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for his sexual needs or the needs of his partner. Most men experience this at some point in their lives, usually by age 40, and are not psychologically affected by it. Some men, however, experience chronic, complete erectile dysfunction (impotence), and others, partial or brief erections. Frequent erectile dysfunction can cause emotional and relationship problems, and often leads to diminished self-esteem. Erectile dysfunction has many causes, most of which are treatable, and is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Hematuria Blood in the urine is called hematuria. It can be a sign of a more serious disease in a person’s urinary tract. There are two types; gross hematuria, which is urine that has visible blood in it; or microhematuria, which is, the urine has visible blood in it only under the microscope. With gross hematuria, patients should seek medical attention as soon as possible. A full medical history and assessment from your doctor will be one of the first steps in determining the cause of the blood in your urine. Seeing a urologist for this problem and further testing would be your best course of action. A urologist is a doctor who treats diseases of the urinary tract in men, women, and children of all ages. In addition to that, a urologist also treats problems with the male reproductive system. Kidney Cancer Kidney Cancer can form in the small tubes inside the kidney. Those tubes located in the center of the kidney where urine collects, are used to filter blood. Each year in the United States , kidney cancer is diagnosed in about 54,000 Americans and more than 13,000 do not survive the disease. Kidney cancer is slightly more common in men and is usually diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 70 years. The most common kidney cancer is called renal cell carcinoma. Kidney Care for People with Diabetes Diabetes can cause diabetic kidney disease (also called diabetic nephropathy), which can lead to kidney failure. There’s a lot you can do to take charge and prevent kidney problems. A recent study shows that controlling your blood glucose can prevent or delay the onset of kidney disease. Keeping your blood pressure under control is also important. Kidney Stone Treatment Treatment depends on the size and type of stone, the underlying cause, the presence of urinary infection, and whether the condition recurs. Stones 4 mm and smaller (less than 1/4 inch in diameter) pass without intervention in 90% of cases; those 5 – 7 mm do so in 50% of cases; and those larger than 7 mm rarely pass without intervention. Patients are advised to avoid becoming sedentary, because physical activity, especially walking, can help move a stone. Pelvic Prolapse Connective tissue forms ligament-like structures as well as an “envelope” around the vaginal walls. This helps to secure the vagina and uterus to the pelvis. As the pelvic floor muscle weakens, this connective tissue gives way, causing the vagina to become displaced. When this happens, the bladder and rectum are also affected. Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the prostate. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). The prostate gland produces fluid that is one of the components of semen. Pyelonephritis One of the most common renal diseases, acute pyelonephritis is a sudden inflammation caused by bacteria. It primarily affects the interstitial area and the renal pelvis or, less often, the renal tubules. Chronic pyelonephritis is persistent kidney inflammation that can scar the kidneys and may lead to chronic renal failure. This disease is most common in patients who are predisposed to recurrent acute pyelonephritis, such as those with urinary obstructions or vesicoureteral reflux. Urethritis Urethritis is an infection-induced inflammation of the urethra. Many clinical conditions result in irritation of the urethra. In addition, urethritis is urethral inflammation caused by a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is normally categorized into one of two forms, based on etiology: gonococcal urethritis (GU) and nongonococcal urethritis (NGU). Urinary Incontinence Urinary incontinence is an inability to hold your urine until you get to a toilet. More than 13 million people in the United States—male and female, young and old—experience incontinence. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Infections of the urinary tract are the second most common type of infection in the body. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect millions each year. Women are especially prone to UTIs for reasons that are not yet well understood. One woman in five develops a UTI during her lifetime. UTIs in men are not as common as in women but can be very serious when they do occur. Vesicoureteral Reflux Urine is created in the kidneys, and normally flows in one direction; down the ureters into the bladder. Vesicoureteral Reflux occurs when urine flows backwards, from the bladder up the ureters. This can happen on one or both sides. © Proudly created with Wix.com Privacy Policy 3640 Main Street Suite 103, Springfield, MA 01107 Tel: 413-785-5321 Legal Notice