Dar Al Shifa Hospital's Urology Department hails success

Dr. Rani El- Akoum, a specialized doctor in Dar Al Shifa Hospital's Urology Department said: "Urology is a surgical specialty, covering the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate and reproductive organs. Amongst the diagnoses that our department conducts regularly, kidney stones, urinary incontinence in women as well as prostate cancer are associated amongst urological diseases."

"For example, prostate cancer develops in a gland of the male reproductive system. Although this type of cancer slowly grows, there are a number of reported aggressive cases. The cancer may spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly the bones and lymph nodes. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, and problems during sexual intercourse. Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms, but it is often diagnosed during the work up of an elevated PSA noticed during a routine checkup," added Dr. Akoum.

Millions of women experience involuntary loss of urine called urinary incontinence. Some may lose a few drops of urine while running or coughing and others feel a strong sudden urge to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine. Women experience urinary incontinence twice as often as men. Pregnancy and child birth, menopause and the structure of the female urinary tract account for this difference. There different types of urinary incontinence and these include, stress, urge, overactive bladder, functional incontinence, overflow, mixed and transient.

A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time. Kidney stones can form when urine contains too much of certain substances. These substances can create small crystals that become stones. The biggest risk factor for kidney stones is dehydration. Kidney stones may not produce symptoms until they begin to move down the tubes (ureters) through which urine empties into the bladder. When this happens, the stones can block the flow of urine out of the kidneys. This causes swelling of the kidney or kidneys, causing pain. The pain is usually severe.

Dar Al Shifa Hospital utilizes its state-of-the-art technology, and renowned leading doctors and consultants to deliver optimal levels of healthcare to its patients.

Dar Al Shifa Hospital was established in 1961, and has developed to become one of Kuwait's leading private healthcare providers. The hospital includes a wide range of departments that covers all specialties.