Urology in Izmir

Urology is a branch of medicine that deals with the diseases of the female and male urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra). This branch of medicine also deals with male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, and penis).

Urology has a number of sub-disciplines, including:

• Endourology – this sub-discipline of urology deals with the closed manipulation of the urinary tract. It includes all minimally invasive urologic surgical procedures, such as prostate surgery and stone removal surgery.
• Urologic oncology – this focuses on the treatment of malignant genitourinary diseases, such as cancer of the bladder, prostate, kidney, ureters, adrenal glands, testicles, or penis.
• Neurourology – this deals with the treatment of conditions involving the nervous control of the genitourinary system or abnormal urination.
• Pediatric urology – this focuses on urologic disorders in children, such as congenital abnormalities of the genitourinary tract, cryptorchidism (undescended testes), underdeveloped genitalia, enuresis, and vesicoureteral reflux.
• Andrology – this deals with disorders of the male reproductive system, such as ejaculatory disorders, erectile dysfunction, vasectomy reversal, and infertility.
• Reconstructive urology – this is a highly specialized field of male urology that deals with the reconstruction of both the structure and function of the genitourinary tract.
• Female urology – this deals with conditions of a woman’s reproductive and urinary tract, such as pelvic organ prolapse, overactive bladder, and urinary incontinence.

Medical professionals specializing in the field of urology are called urologists. Urologists can diagnose and treat diseases of the urinary tract in both women and men, as well as diagnosing and treating any problems in men’s reproductive tract. In some cases, urologists may also perform surgery. In the case of certain conditions, urologists may need to work in conjunction with medical professionals who specializes in other fields, such as oncologist, radiotherapists, nephrologist, and gynecologist.

Urologists can treat the following conditions:

In men:

• Prostate gland enlargement
• Cancers of the penis, bladder, testicles, kidneys, and adrenal and prostate glands
• Erectile dysfunction
• Infertility
• Kidney diseases
• Kidney stones
• Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome
• Prostatitis
• Varicoceles, or enlarged veins in the scrotum
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

In women:

• Cancer of the kidneys, bladder, and adrenal glands
• Bladder prolapse, or a condition in which the bladder drops into the vagina
• Kidney stones
• Interstitial cystitis
• Overactive bladder
• Urinary incontinence
• UTIs

In children:

• Blockages and other problems with the urinary tract structure
• Bed-wetting
• Undescended testicles

What does Urology Involve?

During your first appointment, your urologist may ask you questions about your health history, any medicines you take, and your current symptoms. Your urologist may do a physical exam that includes a rectal and genital exam. They may also do some tests, such as:

• Imaging tests, such as MRI scans, CT scans, or ultrasound to help them locate the problem.
• A urine test to check for bacteria or other signs of disease.
• A cystoscope (a long, thin tube with a camera on its end) to see inside the urinary tract and take a sample of tissue for testing.
• A biopsy to check for cancer and other disorders.
• Urodynamic testing to check how fast the urine leaves your body, how much pressure there is in your bladder, and how much urine remains in your bladder after urinating.

After your urologist makes a diagnosis, the treatment will depend on your specific condition. It may include the use of medications and surgery.

Types of medication include:

• Hormone treatment for prostate cancer
• Antibiotics for infections
• Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors for erectile dysfunction
• Chemotherapy drugs for cancer
• Drugs that act on the smooth muscle of the bladder to help reduce urinary incontinence.

Some of the most common types of surgery include:

• A cystectomy, which is a procedure to remove the bladder. This procedure is used to treat cancer.
• A kidney transplant, which involves replacing a damaged or diseased kidney with a healthy one.
• Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, which is used to break up kidney stones so they can be removed more easily.
• A repair of damage to the urinary tract due to injury.
• A procedure to open a blockage.
• A repair of urinary organs that are not well-formed.
• A prostatectomy, which is used to remove all or part of the prostate gland. This procedure is performed to treat prostate cancer.
• Transurethral needle ablation of the prostate, which removes excess tissue from an enlarged prostate.
• Transurethral resection of the prostate, which involves the removal of excess tissue from an enlarged prostate.
• A sling procedure, which uses strips of mesh in order to support the urethra and keep it closed. This procedure can treat urinary incontinence.
• A ureteroscopy, which involves the removal of stones in the kidneys and ureter using a scope.
• A vasectomy, which is a procedure to cut and tie the vas deferens, or the tubes that carry sperm. This is done to prevent pregnancy.
• A nephrectomy, which involves removing a kidney to treat cancer.

The surgery can be performed in one of two ways: open through a large incision, laparoscopically through several tiny incisions. Both methods are usually performed under general anesthesia. In some cases, local anesthetic may be used instead.

How Long Should I Stay in Izmir?

Depending on the procedure you will have, you may be able to leave the hospital on the same day or you will have to stay for up to 5 days. In general, it is highly advisable that you stay in Izmir for several days following your procedure for initial recovery and to attend scheduled follow-up checkups. For surgical procedures, you may need to stay in the country for at least 10 to 14 days.

What's the Recovery Time?

The recovery time varies, depending on the procedure you have, the reason why you need the procedure, and your overall health. For surgical procedures, it may take about one to six weeks until you can go back to your full activity. For non-surgical procedures, you may be allowed to go back to your normal routine within several days. Your urologist will give you a detailed recovery timeline, which includes the time you can go back to work, normal activity, and strenuous activities, such as exercise and heavy lifting.

What About Aftercare?

Your urologist will give you a set of instructions for your aftercare. The instruction may include a diet plan, exercise, restrictions, and medication to take, and wound care. It is important that you follow every instruction closely. After surgery, you will be encouraged to do some light exercise, such as walking, to help your healing process. You may also need to eat easily digestible food until you are recovered.

Depending on your specific condition, you may need to attend regular checkups following your treatment. For instance, if you had cancer treatment, your doctor will suggest you attend a checkup once or twice a year to ensure that cancer has not come back.

What's the Success Rate?

The field of urology is at the forefront of research and innovation. Due to its constant advancement, the procedures are becoming more effective and safer. Each urological treatment is also known to offer high success rates. However, any procedure comes with risks, such as infection, bleeding, and damage to nearby organs. Therefore, it is important that you choose a skilled and experienced urologist.

Are there Alternatives to Urology?

If you have any injury or disease in your urinary tract and/or reproductive organ (for men), there is no other alternative besides visiting a urology department. However, if your disease is found to be caused by other problems, the doctor will refer you to a relevant doctor.

Urology in and around Izmir

About Izmir

Izmir is a Turkish metropolitan city and is the third-largest city and situated on the western coast. It is one of the more popular destinations that plays host to an increasing number of medical tourists. The city’s geographical location is one of its biggest advantages as for centuries; Izmir is a trading town on the Mediterranean.

Numerous international travelers journey away from their native land towards the vibrant city of Izmir, propelled by the quest for superior healthcare solutions either for their personal welfare or that of their kin. Their decision often revolves around the advanced and specialized medical treatment they desire, either being non-existent or scarce within their nation or the exorbitant price attached to such healthcare services becomes an overwhelming burden to bear within their homeland.

Today, Izmir is witnessing a significant upsurge in the influx of medical tourists. Analyzing the city's patient data tells us a compelling narrative of an increasing trend of visitors seeking specialized treatments such as dentistry, fertility, and psychiatry. Moreover, it is not just the routine healthcare services drawing them in, but also the availability of expert and advanced care for rare medical conditions, making Izmir an appealing choice.

Popular Areas in Izmir

On initial contact, as your plane touches the tarmac in Izmir, you may be beguiled into perceiving this city as just another tranquil, picturesque hamlet exhibiting a leisurely rhythm of life. It wouldn't take long, however, for you to realize that the serene facade conceals a teeming life of variety and vivacity, a couple of hours is all it takes to reveal the city's multifaceted persona.

As a historic and significant city of Turkey, it's really no surprise that tourists get swept away by the grand scale and richness of age-old landmarks and Ottoman structures found across Izmir.

One key attraction is the vibrant Izmir Agora open-air museum that sits in the city core. The first glimpse might trick you into believing the city grew around it. Bordered by scenic hills, bustling marketplaces, towering structures, luxury apartments, and a serene yet sandy-free coastline, this place truly comes alive.

Alsancak is the heart of the city and the safest place in the inner city for tourists with lots of shopping opportunities if you don't want to go to any of the big shopping malls, there are also several decent places for eating, although nothing too fancy as they are mostly café style place, the prices are also slightly higher than other parts of Izmir.

The closest beaches are 50 miles west of the city. There is an excellent choice of superb beaches such as Ilıca (a long wide beach of pale sand where the water is very warm due to under-sea thermal activity), and just a short distance from Çeşme itself, Altınkum (with much cooler water),

Weather and Climate in Izmir

Izmir enjoys the characteristic Mediterranean climate that one might anticipate. Winter days bring a chill to the air, while the summer season is heralded by bright, sunny days.

• The winter season is from December to mid of March. The average temperature ranges from 7-10 degrees centigrade and January is the coldest month. The wettest month is December with an average of 140mm of rain.
• Spring is from Mid-March to May. This is the best time of the year to visit Izmir. It is advisable to plan ahead for your trip and book your flights and hotel reservations. Since this is the most pleasant season in Izmir, hotel booking rates are its highest and it can be difficult to get a reservation.
• The summer season is from June to September. The season is hot and dry. Humidity is not too high because of the influence of the Mediterranean Sea. The maximum temperature recorded is around 40 degrees centigrade.
• Autumn season is warm at the beginning of September. There is a high chance of rain and snow towards the end of November.

Getting around in Izmir

Getting around Izmir is a breeze, with the majority of the transportation systems being government-operated and widely hailed as the most effective means of commute. Boasting cleanliness and disciplined planning, Izmir is a city designed for comfort. Strategically placed taxi stands can be found at major locations, ensuring swift public convenience.

The city's well-coordinated metro system is adept at connecting Izmir's northern and southern ends through two distinct lines, effectively covering a majority of the cityscape. There's even a railway station conveniently located at the airport. Known as the Izmir Metro, this transport service provides an exceptionally convenient link between the airport and the city. Not to be overlooked is the city's sea transportation; public ferries can whisk you across the waters at very fair prices.

Tourist Visas in Izmir

Visa requirements for Izmir, Turkey:

Citizens of 55 countries, including all countries in the European Union, do not require a visa to enter Izmir, Turkey. Citizens of these countries can stay in Turkey for up to 90 days without a visa.

Citizens of all other countries must obtain a visa before entering Turkey. Visas can be obtained online or at a Turkish embassy or consulate. The visa application process is relatively straightforward and takes about 20 minutes to complete. You will need to provide your passport information, travel dates, and contact information. You will also need to upload a digital photo of yourself.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email confirmation. You should then receive your visa within 5 to 10 business days.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Is the Turkish Lira. 100 US dollars will yield 582.82 Turkish liras. It is best to carry the local currency within the city even though a lot of establishments like shops and hotels will accept payments in Euros and Dollars.
2. Money and Payments: Most Businesses will accept all the major cards at Izmir. Some restaurants even accept Premier Dining passes. Tipping is prevalent at ten percent of the service charge.
3. Local language: Most of the population speaks Turkish and Kurdish. English is understood and basic forms of English will be conversed in. Turkish is compulsorily taught at school, also a high number of people also speak Arabic.
4. Culture and Religion: Turkey is a secular country and it has no official religion. Having said this, a massive 99 percent of the population identify themselves as Muslims. While the remaining 0.2 percents are Christians and 0.8 percent from other religions.
5. ​​​​​​​Public Holidays: Izmir celebrates the Gregorian New Year day and May Day with great enthusiasm. Government offices remain closed on other state holidays such as the Izmir Republic Day that falls on the 28th and 29th of October every year. 23rd of April is also an important date when Izmir celebrates its National Sovereignty Day and Children’s Day together.