Male Infertility – Diagnosis, Causes and Treatment

Post date September 23, 2019

Male infertility treatment — Male infertility diagnosis and treatment at RG Stone Urology & Laparoscopy Hospital, Ludhiana. Expert care for men's reproductive health concerns.

Infertility diagnosis is advised to a couple who do not conceive over the period of one year despite having a physical relationship. The problem of infertility has now become very common and is reported in one out of 6 couples. In case it is the male partner responsible for the condition, it is male infertility.

It is a problem of sperm movement and the production of sperm termed as male infertility. Out of all the infertility cases, over 30% of the cases are because of male infertility conditions. Most of the conditions that contribute to male infertility are preventable or treatable. The diagnosis of male fertility is however very complicated. Also, infertility is primarily considered to be associated with women and hence men do not feel concerned about them being infertile. It is important for both men and women to consult a doctor in case couples unable to conceive. However, in the case of a male, it is important to understand male fertility and related facts in detail, before consulting the doctor.

What are the causes of male fertility?

Male infertility can be understood as a problem of sperm movement and the production of sperm. Some of the common reasons for less sperm count or abnormal sperm movement can be:

Varicocele: This is a condition wherein a bulge of veins develops above the testicles. 38% of the cases of male infertility are because of this reason. Luckily, it is a controllable factor. A physician can best advise as to when the condition is treatable and when not.
Retrograde ejaculation: As the name suggests, in this condition, the sperm is reversely ejaculated into the bladder.
Absence of vas deferens, the pipeline that carries sperms.
An obstruction in the pipeline between the testicles and the penis.
Antibodies act against the sperms and kill them on their way to the egg.

What is the diagnosis of male fertility?

Identifying the causes of male fertility is intimidating and only a qualified physician can help. The physician will advise some tests, which may include:

Sperm and semen analysis: A fresh sample of the semen is taken for the test of sperm count. The experts may also examine the sperm for their shape and movement. A higher number of normal sperms indicate that the male is fertile and vice versa. The condition when there are no sperms in the semen is known as azoospermia, which means that there is a plumbing problem and surgery is the treatment.
Physical examination: A urologist performs a physical examination to identify varicocele as well as any underlying hormonal problem.
Hormonal evaluation: There are many hormones responsible for sperm production and movement such as testosterone. A hormonal test is done but in most cases, it isn’t the cause.
Testicular biopsy: In case the sperm count is very low, a testicular biopsy is performed. A needle biopsy is performed to check the production level of sperms.
Genetic testing: Through a genetic test, it is identified if the problems are related to genetics.

What are the treatments of male infertility?

Male fertility is treatable in most of the cases and the ultimate goal is to help couples conceive the most common infertility treatments include:

In the case of varicocele, it can be treated through surgery to unblock the abnormal veins. In most cases, this is the most common reason and the treatment is effective.
In the case of hormonal abnormalities, medicines are effective for treatment.
In the case of obstructions, surgery is performed to correct the plumbing.

Lately, many innovative and advanced treatments have come in a light that has helped in a range of male infertility cases. Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ARTs) are very powerful and result-oriented. Although a little expensive, this treatment has shown great results.

In the first step of ARTs, experts collect semen either with the help of a needle directly from the penis or through natural ejaculation. These eggs are then introduced to the eggs in one or many ways. These methods include:

Intrauterine insemination (IUI): The sperms are directly injected into the uterus when the ovulation happens. The woman is offered some medication that influences the higher number of egg production.
In-vitro fertilization (IVF): In this process, the sperms are fused with multiple eggs that are collected from the woman in a test tube. The eggs that fertilize are placed in the uterus for further process.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): A needle is used to inject a single sperm into the egg. As soon as the egg is fertilized, it is transferred and implanted in the uterus. When the sperm count is extremely low, this procedure is performed.

Home remedies for male infertility treatment

There are a number of ways that can be used to increase the sperm count in the best possible way. One of the primary things is to avoid affecting the chances of sperm by avoiding marijuana, tobacco, and more than two alcoholic drinks in a day. Whirlpools and hot baths are also known to affect the chances of having viable sperm.

It is also recommended to avoid taking testosterone or any other androgen drug. Usually, these drugs are consumed for weight training.

How to prevent male infertility?

There isn’t much to be done to prevent male infertility that is caused by genetic disorders. But, there are certain ways to avoid the problem to some extent which includes:

Prevention from sexually transmitted diseases
No illicit drug usage
Avoid exposure to radiation
Limited use of alcohol
High personal hygiene practices
Loose-fitting undergarments

In case you experience the symptoms of male infertility or any discomfort while having sex, and not being able to conceive, you must consult the physician as soon as possible.

Advanced Urology Kidney Diseases

Kidney Stone Home Remedies – Tips to help with the discomfort & pain

Post date September 10, 2019

With the rising rate of risk factors, one of the common diseases that has affected a lot of people is Kidney Stones. These stones are hard, a rock-like structure that forms inside the kidney when the malicious products do not completely drain out. The natural way of getting rid of these stones is passing them through urine. However, it is one of the most painful experiences. Also, the chances of their re-occurrence are also very high.

While kidney stone surgery is a great way to get rid of these stones permanently, you can always try some of the best home remedies to eliminate them in the first place. In this article, we have explained some of the proven kidney stone home remedies.

Drink plenty of water

Keeping yourself well hydrated is one of the best ways to get rid of kidney stones. This is not only care but also preventive measures from kidney stones. When you drink plenty of fluids, the water content in your body increases, which dilutes the stone forming contents. The body then releases the excess water, along with these contents, in the form of urine. While water along with beverages like coffee, tea, beer, wine, and orange juice is a great fluid to prevent kidney stones, soda and high carbonated drinks are considered contributing to the cause.

Add more citric acid to your diet

Citric acid works on calcium oxalate kidney stones. The two ways it is helpful are:

Avoid stone formation: Citric acid gets associated with the calcium in the urine and prevents the stone formation in the first place.
Reduce stone enlargement: In case you already have kidney stones, an increase in citric acid levels in the body means the excess calcium is being absorbed.

Some rich sources of citric acid are lemons, limes, oranges, and various other fruits and vegetables.

Limit oxalates intake

Oxalate, also known as Oxalic acid is found in various dietary items such as leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables. Our body also produces oxalate naturally. When the body gets richer with oxalate, they start showing in the urine. In case you tend to develop calcium oxalate stones, this can be an alarming condition for you. However, before you avoid eating your leafy greens and vegetables, consult with your doctor first.

Limit your dose of Vitamin C

If you are taking vitamin D supplements you might be at a higher risk of developing kidney stones. This is because when you consume high Vitamin C supplement they trigger the production of oxalate in the urine. However, consuming Vitamin C rich food items does not cause any such problem.

Reduce your salt intake

Studies show that eating a diet high in salt can increase your risk of developing kidney stones. When you consume a lot of table salt, the sodium content in it works on your body resulting in calcium excretion in the urine.

Increase calcium intake

The more calcium-rich diet you will have, the lower are your chances of developing kidney stones. However, you must limit the intake of dietary calcium and increase the consumption of foods like milk, cheese and yogurt, and other good dietary sources of calcium. The recommended dose of calcium is 1000 mg per day.

Limit eating animal protein

Meat, fish, and dairy are a rich source of protein, but this animal protein is also associated with a higher rate of kidney stones. The animal protein can influence calcium excretion and have the opposite effects of citrate.

Make medicinal juices

There is a range of juices that act against the development of kidney stones. Some of the finest examples of such juices are Basil Juice, Lemon Juice, Apple Cider Vinegar Juice, Pomegranate juices, and more. These juices increase the fluid amount in your body and are also a rich source of citric acid.

Preventing and treating Kidney stones is possible. However, in case of a severe condition, it is important to consult the best surgeon for kidney stones first.

Minimal Invasive Surgery Urinary Problems

Gynecology – Uterine Fibroids Symptoms, Causes & Diagnostics

Post date July 17, 2019

Uterine Fibroids are also called leiomyomas (lie-o-my-O-muhs) or myomas. It’s noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. Almost 25-30% of women have uterine fibroids. Symptoms can be found by the location, size & no. of fibroids.

Minimal Invasive Surgery

A Complete Guide to Minimal Access Surgery

Post date June 12, 2019

Minimal access surgery also known as laparoscopic surgery or keyhole surgery is a modern technique of surgical treatment where a small incision is used to operate instead of large cuts. From small cuts, we refer to keyhole-sized incisions that allow surgeons to insert a telescope like an apparatus inside the human body to diagnose or treat a prevailing medical condition. When traditionally operated, the surgeon needs to make large cuts on the human body in order to view inside and operate. However, minimal access surgery allows surgeons to have a clear and better view of the insides of a human body through digitally transmitted images from a video camera, inserted inside the body. The camera acts like a surgeon’s vision during the surgery and allows performing a critical operation, efficiently.

Different types of minimal access surgeries:

When minimal access surgery is performed in the abdominal area of a patient, it is known as laparoscopy. On the other hand, when the technology is used to operate on joints it is known as arthroscopy, and when on the chest the procedure is named as thoracoscopy.

Let us have a better understanding of different types of minimal access surgical treatments:

Laparoscopy: One of the most common minimally invasive surgery is Laparoscopy. In this surgery, a video camera mounted on a telescopic instrument is inserted inside the abdominal range of the human body. This video camera transmits live images of the inside of the human body to a monitor, which the surgeon utilizes to proceed with the procedure. Laparoscopy is the procedure when the operation is performed in the abdomen area.
Arthroscopy: Another important keyhole surgery, Arthroscopy is used for examining and treating damage or other complications to the joints. The apparatus used for the procedure is known as an arthroscope, which is an endoscope device that is inserted inside the human body at the joints to get a view of the inside with minimal invasion.
Thoracoscopy: Thoracoscopy is a procedure that is used to examine and identify the problems in the lung region. Usually, doctors perform Thoracoscopy to check the pleural lining of the lungs and the surface of the lungs. Like other minimally invasive methods, a thoracoscope is introduced into the chest cavity through a minimal incision to identify signs of pleural mesothelioma such as inflammation, pleural plaques, and pleural thickening.

Minimal access or laparoscopic surgery: condition & treatments

Minimal Access Surgeries are one of the best ways to treat a range of medical conditions. It is recommended by the experts because of the successful results it has to offer. The most common health conditions & treatments where minimal access surgery is recommended include:

Gall Bladder Surgery
Hernia Repair
Anorectal conditions
Appendix Surgery
Intestinal Obstruction
Thyroid and Parathyroid glands
Solid Organ Surgery

Depending upon the condition of the patient and the extent of the condition the surgeon may recommend a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment. The success rate of Minimal Access Surgery is way higher than that of traditional surgeries along with many other exclusive benefits.

Advantages of minimal access surgery

The advantages of Minimal Access Surgery are over and above the benefits of conventional surgery. It can be broadly classified under two heads.

Benefits for the patient

The biggest advantage of Minimal Access Surgery is in an aspect of Cosmesis. The patient does not have to deal with large wounds and then scars in case of a minimally invasive procedure. Also, because the size of the wound is minimal, the healing time for the surgery is minimal too. The patient can gain back movement within a week or even less. As the patients get their mobility back, they get a physiological boost for early recovery.

To summarize, the benefits of minimal access surgery for patients include:

Lesser pain
Early recovery
Quick cosmesis
Short hospital stay and expenses
Lesser complications
Better results
Quick return to normal life

Benefits for the doctor

All the advantages of minimal access surgery for doctors also have favorable outcomes for the patients as they are the primary party getting affected by the treatment. The benefits include the large and magnified view of the inside of the body. In the case of cancer like diseases wherein the problem has expanded beyond treatment, the doctors can always have a visual examination
Any problem related to large incisions such as infection or pain in scars and hernia formation is limited in minimal access surgery.

Common myths about minimal access surgery

There are certain myths about the surgical procedure which do not have any scientific base and support. These myths include:

Minimal invasive surgery is an incomplete procedure and there are always chances of reoccurrence – This is not true as the results of conventional surgery as well as minimal access surgery is almost the same, in fact, better.
The complication rate is higher – Certainly not, when performed by a qualified surgeon, minimally invasive methods are least complicated.
An expensive procedure – There is only a small difference between the cost of conventional surgeries and the cost of minimally invasive surgery.
All the surgery can be performed utilizing the minimally invasive method. – No, not all surgeries can be performed utilizing the MAS technique. However, thanks to modern technology the expanse of MAS is rising and more and more procedures can be now done utilizing the minimally invasive surgery techniques.

Medicare

First in Ludhiana to get NABH Safe-I Certificate

Post date April 8, 2014

First in Ludhiana RG Stone has become the first hospital in Ludhiana to get Safe-I certificate from National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH). Safe-I is the most comprehensive certification program that enables healthcare organizations in upgrading their infection control practices thereby ensuring quality care for their patients. It is increasingly being recognized by healthcare fraternity that a vibrant and functional infection control program is the cornerstone of ensuring safety and quality.

It will help us to get recognized as a hospital that follows the mandated quality protocols and has a vibrant infection control program that enables safety for the patients, ensures safety for the healthcare workers, and has processes that ensure that it does not generate waste that is dangerous to the community.

Medicare

RG Stone now in Bathinda

Post date August 18, 2013

We proudly announce the opening of our satellite clinic cum information centre in Bathinda. Every Saturday our urologists from RG Stone, Ludhiana will be attending the OPD from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Patients from Bathinda and adjoining regions can call us at 0164-5012222 or on our 24 hrs helpline 98769-10000.

RG Stone Bathinda

Minimal Invasive Surgery

Rare Endocrine Tumour Removal Surgery

Post date May 24, 2010

One rare case of the endocrine tumour has been operated at RG Stone And Super Speciality Hospital on 12-May-2010 by Dr. HS Jolly. An old female, Karamjeet Kaur, aged 60 yrs, r/o distt. Jallandhar came to the hospital on 10-May-2010 with the complaint of one big mass in the upper abdomen. She was suffering from this disease for three years and had constant distress in the abdomen with heaviness after meals along with other digestion troubles. Upon clinical examination and investigation, she found to have one tumour arising from the head of the pancreas. After full preparation she was operated upon by Dr. HS Jolly, Chief Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgeon at RG Stone & Super Speciality Hospital.

After opening the abdomen, one mass with big blood vessels surrounding vital structures was found. Tumour of more than 12 cm. X 12 cm. in dimension removed carefully without any damage to surrounding structures.

The patient recovered well after such marathon surgery and has been discharged in a healthy condition. At the time of discharge, she was not feeling any distress and any other related problems.

Microscopic examination of tumour suggested it as an endocrine tumour from the pancreatic head region and such type of tumour with that big dimension is rare to be found in the medical literature.

Advanced Urology Minimal Invasive Surgery

Five Months Old Baby Operated Successfully with Holmium Laser

Post date February 16, 2010

Baby Manvi, a 5 months old female child was having a rare congenital anomaly of her left Kidney. There were two kidneys on her left side (called duplex kidney), both of which were opening separately in her urinary bladder, but the problem was that one of these two kidneys was having blockade of its ureter due to a condition called ureterocele (the dilated lower part of the ureter which blocks its own passage). A big ureterocele was obstructing the passage of the urinary bladder.

Dr. Anand Sehgal, Chief Urologist at RG stone & Super Specialty Hospital, Ludhiana performed this difficult surgery with the help of the holmium laser and a very small telescope on Thursday, 11^th Feb 2010. This operation was done without any incision on the skin, with the help of laser, the dilated lower end of the blocked ureter was opened.

The baby was fine after 3 hours of surgery taking her mother’s feed and was discharged from the hospital on Friday. (within 36 hrs of admission)

Duplex Kidney is a very rare congenital anomaly. This defect occurs during the development of the kidney while the baby is in the mother’s womb.

Previously this condition used to remain undiagnosed until the child grew up and the disease had caused complications. Thanks to the ultrasound modality which now helps us to diagnose this condition even before the baby is formed and timely action can be taken to preserve the kidney from further damage. Such highly advanced procedure requires a combination of modern technology and the exclusive skill of the surgeon.

The facility of such advanced urological procedures is available in very few centres in India.

Minimal Invasive Surgery

New Era of Laparoscopy

Post date January 4, 2010

Conventionally cholecystectomy is done by laparoscopy by putting four holes over the abdomen. As the surgical field is evolving and technologies are becoming advanced day by day, especially in laparoscopic surgery, now this surgery can be performed by putting a single incision over the abdomen.

Recently, this operation has been performed successfully for the very first time in Punjab at RG Stone And Super Speciality Hospital. The patient was a young lady and was distressed with gall stone problems for a long and was planning to do this operation in the least possible invasive way. As per the plan, the procedure went smoothly by a single hole over the abdomen and the patient was being discharged the next day. The surgery was a success with a single scar, hence cosmetically superior with minimal need for medications and with no chance of pain in the long run at other scar sites.

The dawn of a new era of laparoscopy has been started and minimally invasive surgery has become more minimal. In the above single port cholecystostomy, state of the art imported instruments was used. After putting a single incision over the abdomen; the flexible port was inserted and through the port miniature camera and miniature instruments were used to perform the surgery.

Minimal Invasive Surgery

Successful Holmium Laser Surgery on Kids

Post date November 19, 2009

Recently a 15 months old baby named Jagjeevan Singh from Jagraon, presented with the pain while passing urine and he was diagnosed to have two large bladder stones measuring 18 mm and 15 mm. After conducting initial tests, our specialized team of RG Stone decided to opt for Holmium Surgery. Finally, the kid was discharged 24 hours after surgery.

Thanks Holmium Laser,
Thanks Team RG Stone.

Male Infertility – Diagnosis, Causes and Treatment