Conditions
Understanding your diagnosis.
Each guide explains what a condition is, how common it is, its usual symptoms, how it's diagnosed, the treatment options, follow-up, and when to seek urgent help.
Kidneys, ureters and stones
Stones, and blockages in the drainage tubes of the kidney.
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Kidney and ureteric stones
Hard deposits that form in the kidney. They can move into the ureter, the tube to the bladder, and cause sudden, severe pain.
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PUJ obstruction (blockage where the kidney meets the ureter)
A narrowing that makes the kidney swell, often found before birth or in childhood. When it can be watched, and when an operation (pyeloplasty) helps.
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Bladder stones
Hard lumps that form when urine is left behind in the bladder. The symptoms, how they are removed through the urine tube, and how to stop them returning.
Bladder, prostate and urine flow
Problems with passing urine, holding urine, infections and the prostate.
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Urinary tract infection (UTI)
An infection in the bladder, or sometimes the kidneys. Common and usually easy to treat, but a UTI with fever needs prompt care.
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Urinary retention (bladder not emptying)
When the bladder cannot empty properly. It can come on suddenly and painfully, which is an emergency, or build up slowly without pain.
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Enlarged prostate (BPH)
A common, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate in older men, which can make passing urine slower, weaker or more frequent.
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Overactive bladder (OAB)
Sudden, strong urges to pass urine, often with going very often by day and night. Common, not a normal part of ageing, and treatable.
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Urinary incontinence (leaking urine)
Leaking urine when you do not mean to. The main types, why it happens, what helps, and the treatment options for women and men.
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Neurogenic bladder (bladder problems from nerve damage)
When nerve damage stops the bladder working normally. Why protecting the kidneys matters, catheters, infections and warning signs.
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Urethral stricture (narrowing of the urine tube)
A scar that narrows the urine tube and often causes a weak stream for years. The tests, the treatment choices, and why repeated stretching is not a cure.
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Vesicovaginal fistula (urine leaking from the vagina)
An opening between the bladder and vagina that makes urine leak all the time. It is not the woman's fault, and it can usually be repaired.
Cancers
Cancers of the prostate, bladder, kidney, testicle and adrenal gland.
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Prostate cancer
A cancer that starts in the prostate gland. Often slow-growing and often without symptoms early on. How it is found, how it is checked, and the main treatment choices.
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Bladder cancer
A cancer that starts in the lining of the bladder. Often first seen as painless blood in the urine. How it is found, the main treatments, and why regular check-ups matter.
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Kidney cancer
A cancer that starts in the kidney. Often found by chance on a scan. How it is found, the stages in plain words, the treatment options, and living well with one kidney.
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Testicular cancer
A cancer that usually shows as a lump in one testicle, often painless. Very often curable. How to check yourself, how it is found, the treatment options and protecting fertility.
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Adrenal cancer (and adrenal tumours)
Lumps in the adrenal glands above the kidneys. Most found by chance are harmless, but some make extra hormones and a few are cancer. The tests, treatment options and living after surgery.
Testicle and scrotum
Pain, swelling and infection, including one emergency.
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Testicular torsion (twisted testicle)
A medical emergency. Sudden, severe testicle pain needs hospital care straight away to save the testicle. The signs, what happens in hospital, and where to go.
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Epididymo-orchitis (infection of the testicle and its tube)
An infection that makes the testicle and the tube behind it painful and swollen. Usually treatable, but sudden severe pain can mean a twisted testicle. Causes, treatment and when to seek help.
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Hydrocele (fluid swelling around the testicle)
A painless swelling of the scrotum caused by fluid around the testicle. Usually harmless, but it needs a proper check. Causes, treatment options and when to seek help.
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Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
Swollen veins around the testicle, like varicose veins. Common and often harmless, but it can cause discomfort or affect fertility. How it is checked, who needs treatment, and the options.
Sexual health and fertility
Erections and difficulty fathering a child.
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Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Trouble getting or keeping an erection. Common, usually has findable causes, and can very often be helped. Why it happens, how it is checked, and the treatment options.
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Male infertility (difficulty fathering a child)
When a couple has not conceived and the man's sperm may be part of the reason. The causes, how it is checked, the treatment options, and what to expect, without false promises.
Children
Guides written for parents.
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Undescended testis (a testicle that has not come down)
A common difference in baby boys that is best fixed early. Written for parents: how it is found, why it matters, the operation, and when to seek urgent help.
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Hypospadias
The urine opening is on the underside of the penis instead of the tip. Written for parents: why a baby should not be circumcised first, the repair, and recovery.
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Vesicoureteric reflux (VUR)
Urine flowing back from the bladder towards the kidneys, often found after a urine infection in a child. The tests, treatment and how to protect the kidneys.
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Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis)
Very common in children and never the child's fault. Why it happens, what helps, what does not, and when to see a doctor.
More guides will be added over time. If there's a topic you'd like us to cover, let us know on WhatsApp.