March is National Kidney Month, which makes us think about how urology and kidney health are connected. The field of urology deals with the kidneys and some disorders that affect them. However, some kidney problems should be treated by a nephrologist rather than a urologist. On the other hand, there are some conditions that should be treated by urologists rather than nephrologists. To clear up any confusion, let’s look at the difference between urology and nephrology.

What is Urology and Nephrology?

Urology

As defined by the American Urological Association, urology is a branch of medicine that specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases of the male and female urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the following parts:

• Kidneys
• Ureters
• Bladder
• Urethra

Urologists, doctors who specialize in urology, have undergone extensive education and training in the field of the urinary system. Urology is considered a surgical specialty, but urologists do much more than just surgery. Many urologists are in general practice and can treat a variety of urological conditions. Other urologists specialize in a specific area, such as urological cancer, male infertility, or pediatric urology.

Nephrology

Nephrology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the kidneys. Like urologists, nephrologists receive extensive education and training in their field. Unlike urology, the scope of nephrology does not include other parts of the urological system. Nephrologists do not even deal with disorders of the male reproductive system. The focus of nephrology is on the kidneys. A nephrologist may also look at factors related to kidney disorders, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. But they would not treat these problems outside of their relationship to the kidneys.

Similarities

As you can tell, urology and nephrology share certain characteristics. Sometimes urologists and nephrologists share a medical practice because they may need to work together. Although the factors overlap, the two fields are distinct. The most common point of overlap is the fact that both nephrologists and urologists will treat kidney problems. However, there are differences in what aspects of kidney health are covered by each specialty.

When to see a nephrologist

If you have a disorder that affects the way your kidneys work, you should see a nephrologist. Nephrologists treat conditions such as:

• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease
• Kidney infection
• Renal artery stenosis
• Kidney failure
• Interstitial nephritis
• Glomerulonephritis
• Polycystic kidney disease

If you have a kidney disorder that does not fall under the umbrella of nephrology, such as chronic urinary tract infections, you need to see a urologist.

When to see a urologist

As we mentioned earlier, urologists deal with diseases and disorders of the male and female urinary tract. This includes the kidneys, but their expertise goes beyond just those organs. The scope of urology also includes male reproductive parts: testes, scrotum, prostate and penis. This is the difference between urology and nephrology.

Conditions treated by urologists

Urologists can treat male medical conditions, female urological conditions, and general urological conditions. Some common conditions that a urologist can treat include:

• Urinary tract infection
• Leakage of urine
• Difficult urination
• Erectile dysfunction
• Male infertility
• Kidney stones
• Bladder stones
• Low testosterone
• Prostate cancer
• Enlarged prostate
• Kidney cancer
• Penile cancer
• Testicular cancer

However, it is important to remember that this is only a brief summary of the conditions that urologists can treat.

Treatment and services provided by urologists

Urologists can treat and manage the conditions listed above, as well as many that are not listed. A doctor specializing in urology can offer the following services and treatments:

• Vasectomy
• Vasectomy Reversal
• Male circumcision
• Lithotripsy for kidney stones
• Ureteroscopy
• Diagnostic testing
• Cancer treatment
• Penile implants
• Prostate biopsy
• Prostatectomy
• Ureteral stent placement and replacement
• Varicocele correction
• Minimally invasive surgery.

Do you know the difference between a nephrologist and a urologist? Although they may sound similar, each of these doctors belong to different specialized fields. If you need one of these doctors, it’s important to understand the difference between the two. This will help you decide which one best suits your needs.

What are urologists and what do they treat?

Urologists diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and conditions related to the urinary tract in men and women. They also diagnose, treat and prevent diseases and conditions related to the male reproductive system. Urologists treat a variety of problems such as:

• Incontinence
• Erectile dysfunction
• Peyronie’s disease
• Bladder or kidney stones that affect the urinary tract
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Pelvic prolapse problems
• Bladder, penile, testicular and adrenal and prostate cancer

What are nephrologists and what do they treat?

Nephrologists specialize in the care and function of the kidneys. They diagnose, treat and prevent kidney-related conditions and diseases. They specialize in treating people whose kidneys are failing or about to fail, or those with kidney disease and hypertension. Nephrologists treat a variety of health problems such as:

• Glomerulonephritis
• Hypertension
• Kidney disease (including acute and chronic cases as well as diabetic nephropathy)
• Kidney stones
• Kidney failure (inability of the kidneys to filter waste from the blood)
• Renal obstruction (caused by kidney stones, tumors, etc.)
• Kidney cancer

Do you know the difference between a nephrologist and a urologist? Although they may sound similar, each of these doctors belong to different specialized fields. If you need one of these doctors, it’s important to understand the difference between the two. This will help you decide which one best suits your needs.

What are urologists and what do they treat?

Urologists diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and conditions related to the urinary tract in men and women. They also diagnose, treat and prevent diseases and conditions related to the male reproductive system. Urologists treat a variety of problems such as:

• Incontinence
• Erectile dysfunction
• Peyronie’s disease
• Bladder or kidney stones that affect the urinary tract
• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Pelvic prolapse problems
• Bladder, penile, testicular and adrenal and prostate cancer

What are nephrologists and what do they treat?

Nephrologists specialize in the care and function of the kidneys. They diagnose, treat and prevent kidney-related conditions and diseases. They specialize in treating people whose kidneys are failing or about to fail, or those with kidney disease and hypertension. Nephrologists treat a variety of health problems such as:

• Glomerulonephritis
• Hypertension
• Kidney disease (including acute and chronic cases as well as diabetic nephropathy)
• Kidney stones
• Kidney failure (inability of the kidneys to filter waste from the blood)
• Renal obstruction (caused by kidney stones, tumors, etc.)
• Kidney cancer