Urology in Guadalajara

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 Guadalajara?

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 Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara

About Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the second-largest city in Mexico and lies at the heart of the Mexican state Jalisco. The City takes great pride in being the Silicon Valley of Mexico due to the phenomenal growth of its infrastructure, economics, technology, and software in the last three decades. The city is also rich in tradition, culture, and history. It is also home to the world’s famous tequila and mariachi festival

Mexico is also a popular destination for medical tourism. It has more than a dozen cities and border towns specializing in medical care. Guadalajara is one such city and is largely visited by medical tourists from across the world. In particular, a large number of Americans cross the border to seek medical assistance. Low medical cost is the main reason behind the City's immense popularity and makes Guadalajara an ideal destination for medical tourism. Bariatric surgery is 70% cheaper than in the USA and dental procedures are 60% less expensive.

The world-class hospitals in Guadalajara offer a wide range of medical services including general surgery, plastic surgery, infertility, stem cell therapy, pediatrics, oncology, and orthopedics. The highly qualified doctors and nurses provide the highest level of care, service, and hospitality and are also well versed in English. Guadalajara is not only a perfect choice for medical treatments and procedures but also the best spot for recuperation.

Salutaris Medical Center, San Javier Hospital, the fertility institutes, OLA Obesity & Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery Clinic, and the Mexico Americano are some of the better-known hospitals in Guadalajara. They have access to the latest medical procedures and cutting-edge technologies.

Popular areas in Guadalajara

The Metropolitan area of Guadalajara houses approximately 5 million people. The city has a handful of safe and trendy neighborhoods. You will find a large population of expatriates in areas like Providencia, Lake Chapala, Ajijic, Chapalita, Chapultepec, and Zapopan. The neighborhoods have many upmarket restaurants, bars, cafes, boutiques, and authentic Mexican food stalls. Lake Chapala is a picturesque lake, from where you can take a cruise to the beautiful island of Scorpio.

• Guadalajara Cathedral: The centuries-old Cathedral lies in the Plaza De Armas, Zona Centro, and although not a particularly big or extravagant Cathedral, it was built in 1541 in the old Spanish colonial style with its neo-gothic spires.
• Expiatory temple: This is the finest religious structure built in a neo-Gothic style. The church has a lavishly embellished exterior. The unique German clock and fine stained-glass windows never fail to fascinate its visitors.
• The Government Palace: Located at the Plaza De Armas, the splendid palace is an absolute visual treat. It took almost a century to construct this historical landmark. The old staircase and murals depicting the heroes of the war of independence are the highlights.
• The regional museum of Guadalajara: The museum is worth a quick visit. 14 dioramas, local fossils, and 800 kg meteorite are the major attractions.
• Avenida Chapultepec: You can experience the best nightlife here as there is a selection of bars with salsa dancing, hula hooping, and Mexican folk dance.

Weather and Climate in Guadalajara

Guadalajara has a warm and moderate climate. The City’s elevation ensures cooler evenings. The weather is spring-like for most of the year. Guadalajara's average temperature is 19.5°C. The average annual rainfall is 941 mm. During the month of August, the City receives a generous amount of rainfall.

March is the driest month of the year with little to no precipitation at all. The warmest months of the year are April, May, and June and the temperature can reach 35°C.

December and January are cooler with an average temperature of 25°C. The temperature may fall too even 5°C during the nights. If you are planning to visit the City during the winter, then pack suitable warm clothing to withstand the cold.

Getting around in Guadalajara

Located 16 km away from the city center, is Guadalajara International Airport. It is Mexico's third busiest airport. The airport handles cargo flights and domestic flights to other Mexican cities and the USA. Wider transport options are available to cater to the needs of the locals and the tourists. The city is well connected by various modes of transportation.

• By foot: As Guadalajara is quite compact, you can simply walk around the city. The city center houses most of the tourist spots. The streets are hassle-free and relaxed.
• By bus: Macro-buses, which are large in number, are the cheapest means of transport. It costs less than 50 cents for a one way to travel in a macro-bus. In case of TUR express buses, the cost is exactly 50 cents one way. If you are a regular commuter, you can buy a transit card and swipe every time you board the bus.
• On a Metro: Most office goers prefer the metro services. You just need to pay 40 cents for a minimum distance ride.
• Other Options: You can also rent bicycles, taxis, and cars to travel to nearby cities. A valid US driving license is more than enough to drive a car here.

Tourist Visa in Guadalajara

A valid tourist visa is essential to visit Mexico. Citizens from countries like India, Russia, and China should apply for a Mexican Tourist Visa, 28 days before the date of entry. You should also submit copies of your travel tickets. Visa fee may cost you approximately USD 22 but this is subject to change from time to time.

Mexico provides visa exemption to the citizens of 67 nations. Citizens of Canada, USA, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, and Japan can enter Mexico without a valid tourist visa and can stay for a period of 6 months.

You can even extend your stay by providing the required documents before your visa expires.

Additional Information

1. Mexican Peso is the official currency of Mexico. 1 USD equals 18.77 Mexican Peso.
2. Being the native language, people throughout Guadalajara speak Spanish. Yet, most of the locals can speak English.
3. You will find plenty of banks and ATMs across the city. Most restaurants and big shops accept payments by credit cards.
4. A large majority of the population residing in Guadalajara are Roman Catholics.
5. Public holidays in Guadalajara:

• New Year's Eve (January 1)
• Independence Day (September 16)
• Revolution Day (Third Monday of November)
• Three King's Day (January 6)
• Easter
• Mother's Day.