Nephrologist and urologist: what is different, this is one and the same, to whom to go? What is doing, what diseases in adults and children are treated by a urologist and nephrologist: a list of diseases when to go to the urologist, and when to the nephrologist?

In this article, we will analyze the difference between the urologist and the nephrologist. And also find out what types of diseases they can cure.

Modern medicine has reached unprecedented heights, and all due to the fact that today there are a huge number of special and narrow profile specialists. It is sometimes difficult to unequivocally determine the insignificant or not encountering or not encountering specific diseases by a person, which doctor should be addressed to. Today we will talk about such specialists as a urologist and nephrologist and figure out which of them treats what diseases.

Nephrologist and urologist - how different, this is one and the same: the similarity and difference in professions

To begin with, let's give a definition of the concepts of “urology” and “nephrology” since both professions are related to them.

• So, urology is a science that studies diseases associated with the genitourinary organs
• Nephrology, in turn, is a science that studies the ailments of the kidneys, as well as their functions

Based on this, it is easy to understand who the nephrologist is and who is the urologist:

• The urologist is a specialist who primarily specializes in the treatment of the genitourinary system. This doctor also treats “male” diseases, such as impotence, the ailments of the prostate gland and the genital organ directly. I must say that the urologist does not ideally treat those genitourinary diseases that cannot be cured surgically
• The nephrologist is a doctor who treats the kidney treatment. In principle, this specialist is engaged only in this body, since his specialty is considered a narrow

Now we give a comparative characteristic of these professions. The general of these professions is that their representatives are treating the urinary system.

Next, let's talk about the differences in these professions. A nefrologist is a therapist, and a urologist, first of all, is a surgeon:

• What does it mean? The nephrologist conducts diagnostics, as well as treatment of exclusively a medical nature. That is, in the treatment of the genitourinary system and urinary organs, the so -called gentle methods of treatment are used
• The urologist in his work resorts to both drug and surgical treatment of patients
• Doctors are distinguished by their specialization:
• Nephrologist is a narrow orientation specialist who treats exclusively kidney disease
• The activity of the urologist consists in the treatment of a much larger number of diseases, that is, he is a doctor of a wide profile
• Availability in remote settlements:
• A neufrologist can be seen far from every clinic
• The urologist is a specialist who must be without fail in any clinic. Based on this, it often happens that it is precisely the urologist who is treating the kidney treatment

Having understood what these two sciences are and who are nephrologists and urologists, we can say with confidence that these professions are not the same, although they relate to the same system of the human body.

Who treats kidneys, pyelonephritis, cystitis: urologist or nephrologist?

These ailments, perhaps, are heard, however, to talk about them, you need to know exactly what they are. Therefore, for starters, a few words we will say about these diseases, or rather, give them definitions.

• Pyelonephritis is a disease of an infectious and inflammatory kidney. Pathological microorganisms provoke the ailment that enter the kidneys through the urinary system of a person. Much less often you can get pyelonephritis due to staphylococci and enterococci
• Cystitis is a disease from which the human bladder suffers. Everything happens as follows: in the urea shell due to a bacterial infection, an inflammatory process begins, which is accompanied by burning, pain and discomfort when urinating

Based on the foregoing, very unequivocal conclusions can be drawn:

• Since pyelonephritis, this is a disease of the kidneys, it is treated by a nefroologist, just like all other ailments of this organ
• Cystitis is a urological disease, therefore, none other than a urologist is engaged in its treatment. It is worth saying that due to some kind of medical lack of education, women very often go with this disease to the gynecologist, which is fundamentally wrong. Remember, only the urologist should treat diseases of the urinary system

What diseases in women, men, pregnant women and children are treated by a urologist and nephrologist: a list of diseases

Since these doctors have some different specialization, they treat different diseases.

Let's start with a urologist.

I must say right away that today there are such orientations of urology: children's, female, male and geriatric (treatment of urological ailments in older people).

A children's urologist treats such diseases in children:

• Cystitis
• Hydronephrosis
• Extrophy of the urea
• Various defects of the penis, which can be both congenital and acquired
• Hypospady
• Cysts on testicles, appendages
• Tumors, both benign and malignant
• Phimosis
• Incontinence
• Cryptorchism
• Hydrocele
• Other ailments of the penis and scrotum

In girls and women in a position, this specialist treats:

• Inflammation of the urea
• Inflammation of the urethra
• Incontinence
• Bladder stones
• Changes in tissues in the genital region

Regarding pregnant women, I want to say the following, a trip to such a specialist as a urologist, with good condition, is absolutely not required. However, if before pregnancy a woman suffered from urological diseases, then even their absence at the moment does not exclude the need for a visit to such a specialist.

Since the urologist is considered to be a “male” doctor, the largest list of ailments that are treated by this specialist, it is with the stronger sex:

• Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate
• Adenoma - a benign tumor of the glandular epithelium
• Urine illness
• Impotence-is expressed in the impossibility of using their genitals by purpose due to the reduction or complete disappearance of their activity
• Hydrocele
• Cystitis
• Varicocele - venous disease of the male reproductive system
• Urethritis - an inflammatory disease of the urethra
• Candilomatosis - growths in the form of warts that are formed on the anus

Now let's move on to the ailments that the nephrologist heals.

The children's nephrologist treats the following diseases:

• Kidney dysplasia, that is, underdevelopment of this body
• Dysmetabolic nephropathy-an renal disease that appears due to a violation of the metabolic process
• Tubulopathy - the most severe diseases that are expressed in the disorder of the work of the renal tubules
• Pyelonephritis, which are characteristic of children
• Glomerulonephritis - a disease of the kidneys that affects the glomerulus of the kidneys

Women and men treat these specialists with such diseases:

• Renal failure
• Nephropathy (medication)
• Hydronephrosis
• Amyloidosis
• Polycystic kidney
• Stones in the kidneys
• Pyelonephritis

When to go to the urologist, and when to the nephrologist?

Now that we know exactly what diseases these two specialists are engaged in, it will be very easy for us to understand when we go to the nephrologist, and when the urologist consultation is more appropriate.

A man to a urologist should sign up if there are such symptoms:

• Discharge from the urethra. Normally, in men from the urethra, only urine and sperm should be released
• Discomfort in the urethra, which can be expressed in itching and burning
• Periodic or constant pain in the testicles, anus and near it, crotch, as well as the lower back
• Changes in the nature of urination (constant desire to the toilet "in a small", the inability to empty)
• Any changes in urine and sperm color. The appearance of blood or pus in these discharge
• The emergence of various warts, growths that are not passing in the genital area
• Lack of sexual desire or the inability to use the penis for its intended purpose
• Changing the nature of the erection
• General fatigue, irritability
• Other symptoms that can also indicate any diseases that this doctor treats-for example, a change in color, form of genitalia

A woman should go to the urologist if there is:

• Pain over the pubis, in the lower back and stomach, which can be stupid, aching, and cutting cramping
• Constant sensation of a filled urea
• Discharge from the urethra, as a rule, white and yellow
• Discomfort of the external genitalia (they can stove, itch, burn)
• Improving body temperature
• The appearance of an unpleasant odor in urine
• Sediment in the urine

The child needs to be shown immediately to the urologist if:

• The kid cannot go to the toilet "in a small"
• In the urine of the child there are pus, blood, other incomprehensible impurities
• The genitals changed color, size (swelling, swelling, redness)
• Incessant pain in the tummy and lower back

Well, now let's see when you should go to the nephrologist.

Most often, people get to the nephrologist already in the direction from another doctor, who, having done general tests and examination, determined that the kidney is in the kidneys. However, children and women, and men need consulting a nephrologist in such cases:

• Anuria is observed, that is, a person cannot go to the toilet at all
• Oliguria is a condition in which a person goes to the toilet much less often, while the volume of urine is significantly reduced
• Polyuria - on the contrary, the volume of urine increases significantly
• Lumbar pain
• Blood, protein in the urine
• For all diseases of the kidneys

As you can see, a urologist and a nefrologist are different doctors, and the specificity of their professions is significantly different. Despite this, in practice, a urologist is engaged very often the treatment of kidney diseases, for the simple reason that a specialist as a nephrologist is very difficult to find.

Video: Urology and nephrology