Are you worried about whether or not you will experience any pain during a urology exam? If you're unsure, you may want to learn more about the types of tests performed on your bladder and prostate. This article will cover pulmonary function tests, cystoscopy, and cough stress tests, as well as symptoms you might experience during a urology exam.
Urologists typically conduct a male genitourinary exam, which includes a physical examination of the prostate and other areas of the urinary tract. This exam is often done quickly and is painless. Urologists can also provide medical treatments to address incontinence or erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction can be caused by an underlying medical condition or be psychological.
During a physical exam, the urologist will assess the urethra, bladder, ureter, kidneys, penis, and testicle. This helps the doctor to better understand the patient's history. The urologist may also recommend blood or urine tests. Tests like a 24-hour urine collection are helpful to diagnose and treat a variety of urological issues.
Cystoscopy is an internal examination of the bladder. It can be used to diagnose and treat bladder diseases such as cystitis. It can also be used to remove polyps and tumors. The procedure can be done with either anesthetic or sedation.
Before the procedure, your doctor may prescribe you antibiotics to help prevent infection. You will also need to drink lots of fluids. In addition, you should drink at least 16 ounces of water each hour for two hours after the procedure. During the procedure, you might experience mild discomfort, but it usually goes away. Your doctor will numb the skin around the urethra with anesthetic gel. This will allow the doctor to put the scope into the urethra without pain.
After the procedure, you may have some soreness or mild burning in the urethra. You may also have some blood in your urine. However, this should disappear within 12 to 24 hours. Depending on the type of cystoscopy, the patient may have general or regional anesthesia. General anesthesia will make you unconscious during the procedure.
A pulmonary function test (PFT) is a series of breathing tests to evaluate the airways of the lungs. This helps diagnose certain lung disorders. The tests can also be used to monitor the response to treatment. They are usually performed by a pulmonologist and may be done before and after the use of certain medicines.
These tests are generally not painful and don't take long. Before your test, you should ask your doctor about the medicines you're taking. You should also read the test instructions carefully. If you get sick or are not comfortable, you can take a break between parts of the test.
During your pulmonary function test, you'll breathe in a mixture of harmless amounts of helium and carbon monoxide. You'll then breathe in gradually increasing doses of mild irritation medications. Once the pulmonary function test is complete, you'll be given time to rest. Your doctor will then review your results with you. He or she will also ask you about any changes in your breathing.
Urodynamic testing, including a cough stress test, can be used to diagnose urinary incontinence. Urodynamic tests can measure urethral function and sphincter function, as well as the flow rate and volume of urine. If a doctor suspects an issue, he may order a series of tests to diagnose the problem.
Urodynamics testing is often performed before other invasive therapies are considered. If the test reveals a urinary tract infection or other problem, the doctor will want to follow up with antibiotics. During the pelvic exam, a doctor will use a gloved finger to feel the inside of the rectum. An ultrasound is sometimes used to examine the position of the urethra. X-rays are also available for this purpose.
In general, the tests will be administered at the same time as a pelvic exam. A bladder diary is usually kept for three days. The patient is asked to record how much liquid she drinks, how many times she urinates, and the number of accidents she has.