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When it comes to urological health, many people think of it as a men’s issue. However, women can also face various urological problems that can have a significant impact on their overall health and quality of life. This National Women’s Health Week, we’re taking a closer look at women’s urological health, some of the conditions women may face and healthy practices you can take now to avoid the risk of developing urological issues.

What is Urological Health?

Urological health refers to the health of the urinary tract and the male and female reproductive systems. This includes the bladder, kidneys, ureters, urethra, prostate (in men), and ovaries, uterus, and vagina (in women).

Common Urological Conditions in Women

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) – UTIs are one of the most common urological problems that women face. They occur when bacteria enter the urethra and cause an infection in the bladder. Symptoms of UTIs include frequent and painful urination, fever, and back pain. UTIs can be treated with antibiotics, but it’s important to seek medical attention promptly as untreated UTIs can lead to serious complications.

Overactive Bladder – Overactive bladder is a condition where the bladder contracts involuntarily, causing a sudden and intense urge to urinate. This can lead to frequent urination, often more than eight times a day, and sometimes even at night. Overactive bladder can be treated with lifestyle changes, medication, or even surgery.

Incontinence – Incontinence is a condition where a person has difficulty controlling their bladder. This can lead to accidental leakage of urine or even complete loss of bladder control. Incontinence can be caused by a variety of factors, including childbirth, menopause, and nerve damage. Treatment options include pelvic floor exercises, medication, or surgery.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse – Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the muscles and tissues that support the pelvic organs become weak or damaged. This can cause the bladder, uterus, or rectum to bulge into the vaginal wall, leading to discomfort, pain, and incontinence. Treatment options include pelvic floor exercises, surgery, or the use of a pessary (a device inserted into the vagina to support the pelvic organs).

Kidney Stones – Kidney stones are hard, mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when passing through the urinary tract. Women are more likely to develop kidney stones than men, and risk factors include dehydration, obesity, and a diet high in salt and sugar. Treatment options include pain management, hydration, and in some cases, surgery.

Maintaining Urological Health

Maintaining urological health is important for women of all ages. Some tips for maintaining urological health include:

• Drinking plenty of water and staying hydrated
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet
• Practicing good hygiene, especially around the genital area
• Urinating regularly and completely
• Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Exercising regularly, including pelvic floor exercises

Urological health is an important aspect of overall health for women. While many of the conditions that affect women’s urological health are common and treatable, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly if symptoms arise. By maintaining healthy habits, women can reduce their risk of developing urological problems and maintain their overall health and quality of life.

Kidney stones are hard masses that form from crystals in the urine. Sometimes, they do not have recognizable symptoms, but often, kidney stones can be very painful. Either way, you will want to avoid them, or maybe you’ve had them and you’re in no rush for them to return. There are preventative actions you can take with changes to your diet plan that will help keep kidney stones from building.

Before we begin with diet recommendations, it’s important to note that all kidney stones are not the same. The most common type of kidney stone is a calcium stone, with uric acid stones following close after. Diet and medical treatment are different depending on the stone type.

The National Kidney Foundation gives these diet recommendations dependent on the kidney stone type.

1. Calcium Oxalate Stones: most common stones

Oxalate is naturally found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, grains, legumes, and even chocolate and tea. Some examples of foods that have high levels of oxalate include peanuts, rhubarb, spinach, beets, Swiss chard, chocolate and sweet potatoes. Limiting intake of these foods may be beneficial for people who form calcium oxalate stones which is the leading type of kidney stone.

Eat and drink calcium foods such as milk, yogurt, and some cheese and oxalate-rich foods together during a meal. The oxalate and calcium from the foods are more likely to bind to one another in the stomach and intestines before entering the kidneys. This will make it less likely that kidney stones will form.

Calcium is not the enemy but it tends to get a bad rap! This is most likely due to its name and misunderstanding that calcium is the main cause in calcium-oxalate stones. A diet low in calcium actually increases your chances of developing kidney stones.

Don’t reduce the calcium in your diet. Work to cut back on the sodium in your diet and to pair calcium-rich foods with oxalate-rich foods. The recommended calcium intake to prevent calcium stones is 1000-1200 mg per day (you can eat 3 servings of dairy products with meals to meet the recommendation).

Extra sodium causes you to lose more calcium in your urine. Sodium and calcium share the same transport in the kidney so if you eat high sodium foods it will increase calcium leakage in the urine. Therefore, a high sodium diet can increase your chances for developing another stone. There are many sources of “hidden” sodium such as canned or commercially processed foods as well as restaurant-prepared and fast foods.

You can lower your sodium intake by choosing fresh low sodium foods which can help to lower calcium leakage in the urine and will also help with blood pressure control if you have high blood pressure.

2. Uric acid stones: another common stone

Red meat, organ meats, and shellfish have high amounts of a natural chemical compound known as purines. High purine intake leads to a higher production of uric acid and a larger acid load for the kidneys to excrete. Higher uric acid excretion leads to more acidic urine. The high acid concentration of the urine makes it easier for uric acid stones to form.

To prevent uric acid stones, cut down on high-purine foods such as red meat, organ meats, beer/alcoholic beverages, meat-based gravies, sardines, anchovies and shellfish. Follow a healthy diet plan that has mostly vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Limit sugar-sweetened foods and drinks, especially those that have high fructose corn syrup. Limit alcohol because it can increase uric acid levels in the blood and avoid short term diets for the same reason. Decreasing animal-based protein and eating more fruits and vegetables will help decrease urine acidity and this may help reduce the chance for uric acid stone formation.

March is National Kidney Month. Each year, more than half a million people go to emergency rooms for kidney stone problems. It’s estimated that one in ten people will have a kidney stone at some time in their lives.

What are Kidney Stones?

At Urology of North Florida, our team of board-certified urologists and specialists use advanced care to treat kidney stones. Urologist Mathew Loughlin, MD, describes kidney stones as deposits made of minerals and salts.

What are the Symptoms of Kidney Stones?

Stones in the kidney may not cause any symptoms and can go undiagnosed. However, if a stone blocks the flow of urine out of the kidney, it can cause a lot of pain. Symptoms of stones include:

• A sharp, cramping pain in the back and side, often moving to the lower abdomen or groin. Men may feel pain at the tip of the penis
• Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity
• An intense need to urinate, or urinating more often
• A burning feeling during urination
• Urine that is dark or red due to blood
• Cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fever and chills if an infection is present

Types of Kidney Stones

Diet, excess body weight, lack of fluid intake, and some medical conditions, among other factors, can cause kidney stones. Dr. Loughlin says kidney stones can affect any part of your urinary tract, from your kidney to your bladder and there are different types of kidney stones that can form.

“Stones often form when the urine becomes too concentrated. When this happens, minerals can crystallize and stick together,” said Dr. Loughlin. “Identifying the type of kidney stone is important so we can determine the best treatment approach and help prevent future stones from developing.”

Calcium Stones

Calcium stones are usually in the form of calcium oxalate. Oxalate is a substance made daily by your liver or absorbed from your diet. Certain fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and chocolate, have high oxalate content.

Struvite Stones

Struvite stones form in response to a urinary tract infection. These stones can grow quickly and become quite large, sometimes with few symptoms or little warning.

Urid Acid Stones

Urid acid stones can form in people who lose too much fluid because of chronic diarrhea or malabsorption, those who eat a high-protein diet, and those with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Certain genetic factors also may increase your risk or uric acid stones.

Cystine Stones

Cystine stones form in people with a hereditary call cystinuria that causes the kidneys to excrete too much of specific amino acid.

How can Urology of North Florida help?

Urology of North Florida has the diagnostic tools and technology to create a customized treatment plan for many urological issues.

“Our team understands how critical it is to relieve pain as quickly as possible. We use a collaborative approach within our urological specialties to ensure we find each patient the right care plan,” said Dr. Loughlin.

Along with a customized plan, Urology of North Florida is a one-stop office with in-office lab testing and medication dispensary.