The most valuable thing in life is your health. We naturally tend to think of the heart, brain, or lungs, but there is one that is just as valuable but not discussed nearly as much: your urinary tract. That is your kidneys, bladder, prostate gland in men, and accessory structures. If something goes awry here, it can lead to misery, shame, or even speeded-up disease.
That is where Atrium Urology can step in. Atrium Health is a large, established health system in North Carolina and the surrounding states. Their urology department helps with everything from kidney stones to prostate issues, bladder issues, and even cancer treatments.
Atrium Urology is here being explained for what they have treated, what they can treat, the doctors, the procedures, the benefits, and why so many turn to their treatment.
What Is Urology?
Urology is one of the medical specialties that treat the urinary and male reproductive system. Urologist is a doctor specializing in the urology specialty.
The urinary tract includes:
- Kidneys – drain out waste from your body.
- Bladder – stores pee until you can pee.
- Ureters – tubes which carry pee from kidneys to bladder.
- Urethra – the tube which carries pee out of the body.
- Prostate (men) – a small gland that aids in making semen.
If something is amiss within any part of the system, go see a urologist.
What Is Atrium Urology?
Atrium Urology is one of the facilities of Atrium Health, a behemoth network of hospitals and clinics which covers Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Concord, and a great majority of the remainder of North and South Carolina.
It offers:
- Access to board-certified urologists and surgeons
- State-of-the-art buildings with state-of-the-art equipment
- Adult and children’s treatments
- Single system for all of the Atrium hospitals, so you don’t have to worry if you have surgery or if you need emergency services, same system
Atrium Urology Conditions Handled
Atrium Urology handles a wide variety of conditions, and they include:
Kidney Issues
- Kidney stones – painful development of hard stone
- Kidney infection – fever infection with backache symptoms
- Kidney cancer – cancers that require special attention
Bladder Issues
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) – more common in women but can strike anyone
- Overactive bladder – running to the bathroom too often
- Bladder cancer – Atrium has the most advanced treatment
Prostate Problems (men)
- Enlarged prostate (BPH) – frequent or unable to begin urinating
- Prostatitis – painful or uncomfortable inflamed prostate
- Prostate cancer – Atrium Urology diagnosis, treatment, and screening
Male Reproductive System
- Erectile dysfunction (ED) – unable to have and/or maintain an erection
- Infertility – sperm problem with quantity or quality
Female Urology
- Incontinence – urine loss with coughing, laughing, or straining
- Pelvic organ prolapse – organs protruding into vaginal canal
Pediatric Urology
Atrium treats children with:
- Bedwetting
- Blockage of the urine
- Birth (congenital) defects
Treatment and Services
Atrium Urology offers simple as well as complex care.
- Medicine – antibiotics to cure infection, medication for overactive bladder or erectile dysfunction
- Minimal invasive surgery – small cut or robot to fix prostate, kidney, or bladder problem
- Laser surgery – to correct kidney stone removal
- Chemotherapy and immunotherapy – to cure urologic cancers
- Radiation therapy – Atrium is a member of cancer center for total treatment
- Lifestyle and counseling – to treat conditions like infertility or sexuality
- Preventive screening – prostate test, cancer test, and imaging tests
Atrium Health also apparently does robot-assisted surgery for kidney and prostate disease, less pain, fewer scars, and quicker recovery.
Why Atrium Urology?
We have some reasons why patients choose Atrium Urology:
- Specialist physicians – Board-certified urologists with years of experience
- State-of-the-art equipment – Robotic surgery, advanced imaging, and cancer treatment
- Convenient offices – All over North Carolina and surrounding areas
- Whole-person care – From simple UTIs to complex cancer surgery
- Multidisciplinary care – Urologists consult with oncologists, radiologists, and surgeons to plan care
- Patient-centered care – Physicians speak clearly and listen intently
Scheduling an Appointment
Trained to schedule an appointment at Atrium Urology:
- Check online – Visit Atrium Health’s site and search for urology care
- Call directly – Each clinic has its own phone number
- Referral – Occasionally your primary physician will refer you over
- Emergency – For worse pain (like kidney stones), Atrium ERs are open 24/7
Cost and Insurance
Cost of urology care depends on:
- Whether or not you have insurance
- Type of care (visit or procedure)
- Tests required (X-rays, scans, lab tests)
Atrium accepts most major insurance plans. If you lack insurance, ask for money assistance or payment arrangements.
Healthy Tips for Your Urinary System
While you may not be quite there yet to require a urologist, you can employ the following to remain healthy as far as your urine goes:
- Drink plenty of water – Healthy bladder and kidneys
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine – Both bladder irritants
- Avoid smoking – Smoking is bladder and kidney cancer risk factor
- Healthy diet – Fewer processed foods, more vegetables and fruits
- Exercise regularly – Prevents obesity, healthy for bladder
- Regular check-ups – Men over 50 years of age for prostate maintenance as such
- Early treatment – Do not ignore blood in urine, pain, or recurrent infection
FAQs
Do you need to get a referral in order to see Atrium Urology?
Not always. Your insurance actually does allow you to schedule directly, but some do require a referral.
Does Atrium Urology treat children?
Yes, they do have pediatric urology specialists.
Atrium Urology: Which hospitals?
Primarily Atrium hospitals in Charlotte and across North Carolina.
Can women see a urologist too?
Yes. Women and men are now going to urologists. With bladder, kidney, and urinary issues.
Do I need to go to a urologist?
You might want to consult a urologist if you experience recurrent UTIs. Also for blood in your urine, kidney stones, bladder incontinence, prostate problems, or inability to urinate.
Atrium Urology is a part of Atrium Health, the health system for America’s healthiest state. Atrium Urology provides end-to-end care to women, men, and children suffering from urinary or reproductive problems. They provide the best treatments, caring attitudes, and specialist doctors at each step, right from the beginning of the formation of an infection to a late-stage cancer.
If you or someone you know are experiencing kidney stones, bladder problems, prostate problems, or some other urinary tract problem, Atrium Urology could be where you would need to go. Don’t write them off—earlier diagnosis and treatment is literally life or death.
You’re worth it, and Atrium Urology wants you to be where you can get the best treatment.