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If you have children, you know what a whirlwind parenting can be. Children can sometimes simultaneously appear extremely fragile and also superhuman. Their ability to bounce back from incredible injury or illness is truly breathtaking. Moreover, as children grow so rapidly, often they can literally change overnight. A child who was properly potty-trained, for example, can still go through a spurt of accidents. This flexibility can make knowing when to seek a qualified medical professional’s assistance. But there are warning signs for most health issues. Keep reading below to see when you should seek out a Pediatric Urologist for your child!
What is a Pediatric Urologist?
Before discussing the need for one, let’s define what a Pediatric Urologist is and what they do. A Urologist is a doctor who specializes in treating genital or urinary conditions. Adding ‘pediatric’ to the title specifies a doctor who treats these conditions in children or minors.
Even more specifically, a Pediatric Urologist treats any issues(in a minor) with kidneys, the urethra, the genital tract, or the bladder. They have undergone intensive schooling, usually fourteen years of general medical study and then specialty training. One of the hard things about treating children for these urological issues, especially when they are very young, is that it can be very difficult to determine the source of the issue. Pediatric Urologists are trained to examine and look for tell-tale signs of problems with urological health. Typical schooling includes a Bachelor’s Degree, a four year Doctor of Medicine degree, two years surgical residency, four or more years of general urology residency, and one to three more years of pediatric training/residency.
During the course of this training, the Pediatric Urologist also spends a substantial amount of time interacting with children of various ages.
Warning Signs
For a relatively minor problem such as a urinary tract infection, your child’s normal pediatrician should be able to help. However, more severe problems will require the aid of a Pediatric Urologist. Your child’s normal pediatrician should be able to help schedule you an appointment for any host of issues.
- Daytime bathroom accidents in children who have been potty-trained, or incontinence in teens. The occasional accident may occur. However, if it becomes a frequent problem, however, seek help.
- Suspected kidney stones. This can be a horribly painful affliction!
- Hernias around the groin or scrotum. Another painful condition, which will only worsen without treatment(oftentimes requiring surgery).
- Recurring urinary tract infections with high fevers. A recurring infection like this is often the sign of some other underlying issue.
- Swelling around the testicles. This one should be pretty self explanatory!
- Undescended testicles. If the testicles have not dropped by the male child is eighteen months old, it can be an indicator of another problem.
What Now?
Once you’ve been scheduled to see a Pediatric Urologist, you can expect many of the typical procedures found in any medical office. There will be an initial exam and x-rays. Depending on the factors surrounding your child’s visit, there may be further imaging or urine testing, as well. From there, a board certified Urologist will discuss any treatment plans or options going forward.
If you or a loved one are struggling with a urological problem, reach out to Northwoods Urology! With three convenient locations, our board-certified doctors will have you feeling better in no time!
