Urology in Budapest

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 Budapest?

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 Budapest 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 Budapest

About Budapest

Budapest is the capital of Hungary and with A population of over 1.7 million, it is the most populous city in the country. Budapest is made up of three unified cities, Buda and Óbuda on the west bank of Danube and Pest on the east bank. The city is known as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Its historic monuments, charming architecture, healing thermal waters, wonderful food, and lively nightlife draw millions of people each year.

Nowadays, an increasing number of people have chosen Budapest as their medical tourism destination thanks to its well-known excellent healthcare. Dental treatments along with cosmetic and plastic surgery are the most popular treatment that attracts medical tourists to Budapest. Premium Plastic Surgery Clinic and Dr. Molnar Clinic are two of the highest ranked medical facilities in Budapest. Medical tourists come to Budapest for the following reason:

• Experienced, highly qualified doctors and surgeons.
• The best and most modern medical facilities.
• A friendly environment with English speaking staff.
• Medical treatment at significantly lower prices.
• Beautiful city to enjoy while recovering.

Popular Areas in Budapest

There are many places to explore in Budapest. The city is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Danube Panorama and Castle district is the most beautiful and romantic parts of Budapest with countless historical monuments; Andrássy Avenue and Heroes Square are home to the most impressive buildings such as the State Opera House; The banks of the Danube river is a great place to see many of Budapest’s best sights.

The Hungarian Parliament Building, one of the largest building in Hungary, was designed in the Gothic Revival style. The building gives an enchanting view from every angle, especially from the other side of Danube when tourists can see the whole building. Tourists can also go to Castle Hill, one of the most visited places in Budapest with beautiful buildings that date back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

To escape the city, visit City Park where you will find a zoo, a replica of Transylvanian Vajdahunyad Castle, and the Széchenyi Bath. For visitors who wish to shop, try Ecseri Flea Marker, a fantastic flea market to find a bargain.

Weather and Climate in Budapest

Budapest has four distinct seasons.

• Summer in Budapest tends to be nice and warm with an average temperature ranging between 23 to 28 °C (73 – 82 °F). Summer lasts from May until mid-September. Heavy showers usually occur in May and June. Many tourists choose the summer to visit the city.
• The autumn in Budapest has moderate temperature with little rains and long sunny days, autumn starts from mid-September to late October.
• Winter can be really cold with only a little sunshine; the average temperature is 3 to -7 °C (27 to 19 °F). Winter lasts from November to March.
• Spring in Budapest is said to be one of the most beautiful times in the city when the green spaces are in full bloom. Spring starts from March to April and sees a rapid increase in the temperature.

Getting Around in Budapest

Ferenc Liszt International Airport (commonly referred to as “Ferihegy”) is the main airport in Budapest and in Hungary. The airport connects Budapest with many cities around the globe, mainly Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and North America. There are several budget airlines that operate flights in this airport such as Wizz Air, EasyJet, and Ryanair.

To get to the city center, tourists can take a taxi or a bus. Taxis are relatively cheap, always make sure to use regulated taxis to ensure your safety. The fare for taxis is 300 HUF/Km (1.03 USD). A ride to Budapest from Ferenc Liszt International Airport usually cost around 7200 HUF (24.8 USD).

The bus is the cheapest option to get to the city center. Budapest’s airport shuttle bus (100E) connects Ferenc Liszt Airport with the city center (Deák Ferenc Square). The trip takes about half an hour. Purchase a ticket at the airport post office, BKK customer points in arrivals halls, the newsagents, and from the ticket machine at the bus stops. Bus drivers also sell tickets for 450 HUF (1.60 USD). It is better and simpler to purchase daily or multi-day passes which are valid for an unlimited number of trips within their validity periods. The multi-day pass costs 1650 HUF (6.15 USD).

The best way to explore Budapest is by walking because most tourist sites are within walking distance. An alternative to walking is cycling. Budapest offers a bicycle sharing system called BuBi. Metro, trams, trolleybuses, buses, and the HÉV suburban train line are also available to get around Budapest.

Tourist Visas in Budapest

Citizens of the European Union, the United States, and Canada can enter and stay in Hungary without a visa for up to 90 days. Citizens of EU/EEA members and 33 countries are granted visa-free entry for a maximum period of 90 days. The only condition is to have a passport valid for at least three months. Other foreign citizens need to apply and obtain a visa before entering the country.

As a part of the Schengen Agreement, holders of the Schengen Visa do not need to apply for a new visa. The Schengen Visa is only issued to citizens of countries who are required to obtain a visa before entering Europe.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the Hungarian Forint (HUF).  1 USD is equivalent to 290 HUF.
2. Money & Payments: Tourists can withdraw money from ATMs. Credit cards (mainly Visa, MasterCard, and American Express) are accepted in restaurants, hotels, and even most taxis. There are several hotels and guesthouses that will accept euros. Tipping is always appreciated but not necessary.
3. Local Language: The official language is Hungarian and is spoken by most of the population. Most people, especially in tourist areas, will know sufficient English.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Budapest is home to one of the most populous Christian communities in Central Europe. Judaism is also a significant religion.
5. Public Holidays: Budapest celebrates Christian holy days as in the rest of Hungary. The city hosts many festivals around the year such as Budapest Spring Festival, Budapest Easter Festival, Music Festival in Spring, as well as Food and Frink Festivals. The date for these festivals may differ from year to year.