Prostate problems plague a broad variety of men and can be painful to experience and treat. One of the most common of these problems is prostatitis. It is estimated to impact up to 12 percent of all men in the world. However, it is very easy to mistake this problem for other common concerns. In fact, there's a good chance that it could be temporarily misdiagnosed as bladder stones. In these situations, a second opinion from another prostate doctor is crucial.
Failing to capture a misdiagnosis could be severely problematic. That's because these two diseases are actually very different. Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland caused by problems such as bacterial infections. When your prostate gland inflames in this way, you are going to find it very hard to urinate and may end up with blood in your urine. These signs are a big part of why people mistake prostatitis for bladder stones.
This confusion is in spite of the fact that bladder stones aren't actually related to your prostate gland at all. However, they create a similar range of painful symptoms. For example, the formation of stones in your bladder can cause frequent urination, serious lower abdominal pain, and blood in the urine. The frustrating thing is that people don't always pass bladder stones right away and can cause a second type of misdiagnosis that can be severely problematic.
Misdiagnosis of either of these symptoms can lead to treatments that do nothing to help you. As a result, your disease may end up getting more complicated. Complications with prostatitis can lead to serious bacterial infections that spread through your body and cause a real risk of death. As a result, it is always wise to consider getting a few tests done to ensure that the right disease has been diagnosed.
Even getting a second opinion is wise because your condition could change and showcase new symptoms that the first doctor misses. For example, you could receive treatment for prostatitis will suffering from bladder stones. Then, you could pass bladder stones that indicate your true prognosis to a second doctor. Other benefits of second opinion testing include:
- Expanded look at the possible problem
- A new approach at examining your symptoms
- Increased likelihood of getting your prognosis right
- Boosted peace of mind knowing that you are getting the right treatment
There are several tests that you can take to check for prostatitis. These include digital rectal examinations and blood culture checks. Talk to a specialist in prostate health, such as at Advanced Urology Associates, and get these tests done to get a well-rounded look at your potential disease. These treatment specialists can also change up your specific treatment to find one that works better for your needs.
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