Bladder Health Month – November 2024

History of Bladder Health Month

The study of how well the bladder, sphincters, and urethra hold and release urine is called the “Urodynamic” study. Urodynamic studies show how well the bladder works and why there could be blockages or leaks. Over the years, the study of the entire urinary system has been known as Urology.

Although Urology was only officially considered a separate surgical specialty in the early 20th century, its roots can be traced as far back as the Renaissance. Genitourinary diseases have been present since the beginning of the human race, but the first treatise was written solely by a Spanish physician named Francisco Diaz in 1588. “The Treatise on all the Diseases of the Kidneys, Bladder, Urine, and Growths on the Penis” was a major milestone in urology and medical history in general, as it was one of the first works in medical literature to be written in a common language. This improved the lives of countless patients with urologic conditions as it allowed the wide dissemination of his collected urologic knowledge to practitioners.

Another person in history that made great strides in urology was Maximilian Nitze, a German urologist. He specialized in research of kidney disorders and other urological problems and he is credited with the invention of the modern cystoscope; a device used in diagnostics of the bladder alongside Viennese instrument maker Joseph Leiter. The Nitze–Leiter cystoscope was demonstrated publicly for the first time in 1879. In 1897, Hugh Hampton Young, who is now known as the father of modern American urology began practicing at the clever recommendation of his praised mentor, William Halsted, and with indirect support from the well-accomplished pathologist William Welch. The field was not organized and few well-defined treatments were available for Urological diseases. He made great strides to support how we treat urological diseases today.