Urology in Krakow

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 Krakow?

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 Krakow 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 Krakow

About Kraków

Kraków is the second-largest and also one of the oldest cities in Poland. It was the official capital of the country until 1596 and has been one of the leading centers of Polish economic, academic, cultural, and artistic life. Named as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Kraków is brimming with stunning architecture, enthralling history, and riveting culture. Today, the city is at the forefront of Europe’s medical tourism. The most sought-after treatments are dentistry and cosmetic surgery. International medical tourists, particularly from neighboring countries, come to this city for its affordable procedures, fully organized healthcare system, and skilled specialists. 

Popular Parts of Kraków

Kraków is full of charm; from its cobbled streets and beautiful squares to stunning churches and a castle. The most popular part of the city is the Old Town, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors who come to the Old Town can admire the Wawel Royal Castle, which is an architectural wonder in a medieval, renaissance, and baroque style. This castle is now a museum containing five separate sections. Another popular part of the Old town is the Main Market Square, which is the biggest medieval town square in Europe with a 15th century Town Hall Tower, a 16th-century Cloth Hall at the center, and a bronze statue of Polish 19th-century poet Adam Mickiewicz. Other popular parts of the city are Schindler’s Factory, the Underground Museum, and Auschwitz. 

Transport in Kraków

Kraków John Paul II International Airport is where most international tourists will arrive. It serves flights to numerous cities around Europe and the Middle East. The most affordable way to get around the city is by public buses and trams. Taxis are reasonably priced and comfortable, but make sure to use official taxis that use a meter as there are illegal taxis that will try to overcharge you. Uber is available and it is the cheapest option if you don’t want to take public transit. Bicycles are also popular in the city and bike rentals are widely available. 

Visas in Kraków

Poland is a part of the Schengen area. Therefore, citizens of 62 countries, including the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia, can stay in Kraków for up to 90 days without a visa. EU citizens do not need a visa and can stay indefinitely. Citizens of other countries need to obtain a visa prior to arrival. Make sure you have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. 

Weather in Kraków

Summer, from June to August, is generally warm with an average temperature of about 25°C. The spring (April – May) and autumn (September – October) have great weather with milder temperatures. Note that spring is usually a bit rainier than other seasons. Winter can get pretty cold, with the temperatures dropping below 0.

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: The official currency is the Polish Zlotych (PLN). 1 USD is equivalent to approx. 3.8 PLN.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are easy to find in Kraków. Credit cards are accepted in most establishments. Tipping is optional and not mandatory.
3. Local Language: Polish is the native language and English is widely spoken by younger people.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Most of the population adheres to Christianity. However, other religions, such as Judaism, are also present.
5. Public Holidays: Kraków celebrates various public holidays, including the New Year’s Day, Three King’s Day, Easter, Constitution Day, Corpus Christi, All Saints’ Day, Independence Day, and Christmas Day.