Urology and Cancers in Plain Language

Drinking enough water is important for overall health, including bladder health. However, whether increasing water intake will help bladder problems depends on the type of problem a person is experiencing. For some conditions, drinking more water is very helpful, while for others, too much fluid may make symptoms worse. Understanding the role of hydration can help guide healthier bladder habits. For people who experience urinary tract infections, drinking more water can be beneficial. Water helps flush bacteria from the urinary tract, which may reduce irritation and infection risk. Staying well hydrated can also help prevent kidney stones. When urine is concentrated, minerals can clump together and form stones. Drinking enough water helps dilute the urine and lowers the chances of stone formation. For those with constipation, increasing water intake can also help. Constipation can put pressure on the bladder and make urinary symptoms worse. Drinking enough water, combined with good die...

Urinalysis is a simple and commonly used test that examines a urine sample to learn important information about a person’s health. It is often one of the first tests ordered when someone has symptoms related to the urinary system, such as pain while urinating, frequent urination, strong-smelling urine, or visible blood in the urine. It is also used in routine check-ups, pre-surgery assessments, pregnancy care, or monitoring certain health conditions. A urinalysis looks at urine in three main ways: its appearance, its chemical makeup, and sometimes the cells or substances seen under a microscope. The color and clarity of urine can provide early clues. For example, cloudy urine may suggest infection, and dark urine may indicate dehydration. Chemical testing is performed using a dipstick strip placed in the urine. This strip changes color based on what is present in the sample. It can detect substances such as protein, glucose, blood, ketones, bilirubin, or signs of infection. These findi...

Start exploring below. Kidney cancer can feel overwhelming, especially when you are trying to find clear, reliable information. This page brings together easy-to-understand answers to common questions about kidney cancer symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery—all explained in plain language.  Whether you have been recently diagnosed, are caring for someone with kidney cancer, or simply want to learn more, these articles will help you understand what is happening, one question at a time.  New posts are added regularly and written without medical jargon. To explore further, click on any of the titles below to read the full article. Introduction and Basics What is Kidney Cancer? Is Kidney Cancer the Same as Renal Cell Carcinoma? How Common Is Kidney Cancer? What Are the Types of Kidney Cancer? What Is Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma? What Is Papillary Renal Cell Carcinoma? What Is Chromophobe Renal Cell Carcinoma? What Is Wilms Tumor? Causes and Risk Factors What Causes Kid...

Start exploring below. Your kidneys do much more than make urine. They filter your blood, balance your fluids, control blood pressure, and support bone and red blood cell health. But how exactly do they do all this? This page is your one-stop resource for understanding how the kidneys work—one question at a time. Whether you are curious about how much urine is normal, what kidneys remove from the blood, or what happens with only one kidney, you will find simple, science-backed answers here. Each topic below links to a short article that explains one key question in plain language. These articles are designed for anyone to understand—no medical background needed. As new articles are published, they will be added to the list below. Bookmark this page and check back often for the latest updates. What do the kidneys do in the human body? How do the kidneys filter blood? Where are the kidneys located in the body? Can you live a normal life with one kidney? How much urine do healthy kidneys ...

Start exploring below. This page is your one-stop resource for understanding everything about the urinary bladder. The urinary bladder acts as a temporary storage tank for urine and plays a vital role in bladder health and urinary function. Each article answers a common question in simple, easy-to-understand language, covering topics such as how the bladder works, where it is located, how much urine it can hold, and what causes bladder problems. Each topic below links to a short article that explains one key question in plain language, free of medical jargon. These bladder health articles are written for everyone—no medical background required. To learn more, simply click on any of the titles below. New bladder-related articles are added regularly. As new topics are published, they will appear in the list below. Bookmark this page and check back often for the latest updates on bladder function and urinary health. What is the Urinary Bladder? Where Is the Bladder Located in the Body? Wh...

A urodynamic test is a group of tests used to understand how well the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles are working. It helps identify problems related to storing urine or emptying the bladder. Doctors may recommend a urodynamic test when someone experiences symptoms such as difficulty urinating, urgency, leakage, frequent urination, a weak bladder stream, or when previous treatment has not improved symptoms. The goal is not just to diagnose, but to understand how the bladder behaves during filling and emptying. There are different types of urodynamic tests, and not every person needs all of them. The simplest test measures how fast urine flows when passing urine. Another common test measures how much urine is left in the bladder after urination. More detailed tests involve placing small pressure sensors in the bladder and sometimes the rectum to measure how the bladder muscles and pelvic floor respond as the bladder fills and empties. These detailed tests help identify overac...

A cystoscopy is a medical procedure that allows a doctor to look inside the bladder and urethra using a thin tube with a camera and light at the tip. This instrument is called a cystoscope. The purpose of a cystoscopy is to help diagnose urinary problems, check for abnormalities, or guide certain treatments when needed. It gives a clear view of the bladder lining, the urethra, and the opening of the ureters where urine enters the bladder from the kidneys. A cystoscopy may be recommended for several reasons. Common reasons include investigating symptoms such as blood in the urine, repeated bladder infections, difficulty urinating, pelvic pain, or problems with bladder control. It may also be used to look for bladder stones, inflammation, narrowing of the urethra, tumors, or structural changes. In some cases, a cystoscopy is performed as part of monitoring for bladder cancer or after certain treatments. There are two main types of cystoscopes: flexible and rigid. A flexible cystoscope be...