Urology

At LivingCare, we offer expert Urology consultants and nurses who specialise in diagnosing and treating a wide range of urological conditions. Whether you're dealing with discomfort or concerns about your urinary health, we are here to provide the care you need.

You may benefit from seeing a urologist if you experience any of the following:

• Trouble urinating
  Difficulty starting or maintaining a urine stream can be a sign of underlying issues with the bladder or prostate.
• Changes in urination
  If you find yourself needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night, this could indicate bladder or prostate issues.
• Needing to get up frequently in the night to urinate
  Frequent night-time urination (nocturia) can disrupt sleep and be a symptom of an underlying condition that may need investigation.
• Blood in your urine (Haematuria)
  Whether visible or detected through tests, blood in the urine should be investigated to rule out infections or more serious conditions like kidney or bladder issues.
• Trouble emptying your bladder completely
  Feeling like you can't fully empty your bladder may be a sign of bladder dysfunction or an enlarged prostate.
• Incontinence
  The inability to control urination can result from bladder or pelvic floor issues, and a urologist can offer various treatment options.
• Swollen or painful testes
  Pain or swelling in the testes can be caused by a number of conditions that should be evaluated by a specialist.
• Painful ejaculation
  Pain during ejaculation could indicate prostatitis or other prostate-related conditions.
• Pain in your lower stomach or groin region
  Discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen or groin may signal a problem with the kidneys, bladder, or reproductive organs.
• Prostate concerns or family history of prostate cancer
  If you have a family history of prostate cancer or concerns about prostate health, it's important to get screened and monitored regularly.
• Raised PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
  A PSA test is a blood test that helps check for prostate conditions such as an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. If your PSA levels are elevated, further tests may be recommended to assess your prostate health.

At LivingCare, we can help diagnose and manage these conditions through personalised care, including procedures such as PSA blood tests, ultrasounds, cystoscopy, and other diagnostic tests. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve your quality of life, so don’t hesitate to consult our specialist urology team if you have any concerns.

Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections are common and can cause discomfort, but they often clear up within a few days or can be treated with antibiotics. UTIs are more prevalent in women, with around half of all women in the UK experiencing a UTI at least once in their lifetime. Men and children can also develop UTIs, though it is less common.

If you develop a UTI, you may experience:

• Pain or a burning sensation while urinating (dysuria)
• A frequent need to urinate
• Pain in the lower abdomen

While UTIs generally resolve on their own, antibiotics can help speed recovery. For women with recurrent UTIs, long-term antibiotics may be recommended to prevent reoccurrence. At LivingCare, we offer a range of diagnostic procedures such as cystoscopy and ultrasound to investigate the cause of recurrent UTIs.

Haematuria (Blood in Urine)

Haematuria refers to the presence of blood in the urine. It can be visible to the naked eye (macroscopic) or only detected through laboratory tests (microscopic). The blood may originate from any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, bladder, or urethra, and is often associated with a urinary tract infection.

Common causes of haematuria include:

• Bladder infection (such as cystitis)
• Kidney infection
• Kidney stones
• Urethritis (inflammation of the urethra, often due to a sexually transmitted infection)
• Enlarged prostate
• Bladder, kidney, or prostate cancer (typically affecting those over 50)

At LivingCare, we offer ultrasound examinations and cystoscopy procedures to investigate the cause of haematuria and ensure you receive the appropriate treatment.

What to Expect at Your LivingCare Appointment

During your appointment, our urologist will review your symptoms and discuss potential treatments or further examinations. If additional tests or procedures are required, our nursing and administrative team will coordinate these for you, ensuring clear communication about next steps and appointment times.

Your appointment will last approximately 15 minutes, during which you may be asked to undress for an examination. This will be done privately, with the option to have a chaperone present. Following the examination, there will be time for further discussion and any questions you may have about your treatment.

Should the urologist recommend further tests such as an ultrasound, MRI, X-ray, or cystoscopy, the results will be reviewed with you in a follow-up appointment. If bladder function tests are necessary, the results will be discussed at the time of testing.

At LivingCare, we prioritise your comfort, dignity, and care throughout your treatment journey.