ABC Medical Urology & Ostomy Care Blog

In 1994, former congressman Bill Richardson and former senator Bob Dole sponsored bills in congress to establish a national Men’s Health Week. The goal was to raise awareness of preventable health issues for men and encourage American men to adopt healthy lifestyles and participate in screening programs. 

Former President Bill Clinton signed the bill into law, making the week before Father’s Day, Men’s Health Week. Since then, the entire month of June has been designated as Men’s Health Month. Men's Health Month encourages men to take proactive steps towards a healthier future, which can lead to longer, happier lives, benefiting individuals, families, and communities alike.

In the spirit of Men’s Health Month, here are 5 tips for urological health for men over 50.

What is Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR)?

Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is a condition where urine flows in the wrong direction, so instead of flowing from the kidney into the bladder and staying put, the urine flows backwards towards the kidney.

When you started using catheters, you may have been asked to complete a bladder diary—a simple chart used to track symptoms of urinary incontinence, as well as fluid intake, urine production, and leakage.

Neurogenic bladder is a term used by medical professionals to describe bladder dysfunction caused by nerve complications. Keep reading to learn more about neurogenic bladder and how it can be diagnosed and managed by your healthcare team.  

Self-advocacy is essential for individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) to learn. As someone with an SCI, it is likely you will encounter situations where others do not fully understand your needs, or abilities. You might even find some healthcare providers are not well-versed about spinal cord injuries. Having a good understanding of your condition and needs, along with the ability to clearly communicate this information, can help ensure you receive appropriate care in healthcare settings. In today’s article, we will discuss some strategies for self-advocacy in healthcare and share resources that can help you hone this skill.

For individuals living with chronic conditions, life can be stressful. The disease and the treatment may cause unpleasant side effects, such as pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, or depression. 

Palliative care is a field of specialized medical services that helps individuals and their loved ones live comfortably during treatment for cancer, throughout the management of non-curable chronic conditions, or at the end of life. Metastatic cancer and other conditions such as COPD, end-stage renal disease or advanced heart disease are examples of chronic conditions where palliative care can be helpful. 

Patients with conditions that can cause urinary incontinence—such as prostate cancer, spinal cord injuries, or urological trauma—have a lot of choices to make regarding catheter use.

Should I do intermittent cathing? Or get an indwelling catheter? What’s the difference? And what the heck is a French size?

From tried-and-true products to innovative designs for athletic and on-the-go lifestyles, catheter options are seemingly endless. Getting the best fit and style starts with learning the right words to describe the products you need.

In today’s article we will review 5 important things to discuss with your doctor regarding prostate cancer. Before we do that, let’s do a quick review of what the prostate is. The prostate gland is located below the bladder, is about the size of a walnut, and your urethra passes through it. The prostate is essential for reproduction, as it produces fluid that helps transport and protect sperm cells. Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells grow in the prostate gland, creating tumors. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States for men but highly treatable when caught in the early stages.

Approximately 13% of men in the United States will get prostate cancer during their lifetime. Genetics and age play a large part in those statistics, but lifestyle choices may also impact risk. In this article, we are going to share 10 ways you can help reduce your risk of Prostate Cancer. Certain lifestyle changes may reduce the risk of developing more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, and may bring improved outcomes for individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer. Keep reading to learn more about the things you can do to help lower your risk of cancer and live a longer and healthier life.