Dear doctor/ Dr Santoshi Nagaonkar, urologist, P.D. Hinduja hospital, Mumbai
In men, urinary retention has been the commonest problem in the past seven months. The most common reason for that is prostate enlargement. The incidence of kidney stones, which is common in men and women, goes up in summer as people tend to drink less water and sweat more. But the problem persists at other times, too. A high percentage of women visited the hospital with complaints of urinary tract infections, again because of not drinking enough water.
Lockdown impact
Before the lockdown, certain patients were getting investigations done for the cancer of the kidney or the prostate. But once the lockdown started, they have not ventured out and have postponed their tests. They fear Covid-19 would kill them. Now their cancers have advanced from curable to incurable or difficult-to-manage stage. Also, we have seen women coming in with issues of an overactive bladder, which has been almost entirely because of the lockdown. It is a psychological condition and has nothing to do with organ-related pathology. All organs are fine, but there is an urge to urinate every 15-20 minutes. This might be because of the mental stress that had become a common feature during the lockdown.
Indians and cancers
India has the highest incidence of penile cancer in the world. Penile cancer is rare in circumcised men. Indians are less prone to developing prostate cancer when compared to the west, but we are catching up fast given the change in our lifestyle and diet. People who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day are more prone to bladder cancer.
Self-care and hygiene
The most important aspect is to stay hydrated. Because of a sedentary lockdown routine, with little body movement, the thirst levels tend to go down. But in order to prevent issues such as kidney stones and urinary tract infections, it is important to drink water at regular intervals. Normal sleep cycle and a balanced diet, along with some physical activity, can help keep urological issues at bay. People with diabetes or other lifestyle diseases are more prone to developing kidney-related diseases. Also, please do not postpone visits to your doctors anymore. Relevant and necessary steps are being taken at hospitals to prevent the spread of infection. Hence, it is better to approach the doctor than postpone essential treatments and surgeries.
Also issues like blood in urine is not normal, and must not be ignored. One must immediately approach the doctor to get their bladder checked for tumours. Reducing the intake of salt and processed food will help in improving bladder and kidney health.
—As told to
Pooja Biraia Jaiswal