Dr. Kethandapatti Balaji, MD is a Urologist practicing at his clinic in Jacksonville, FL, dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive Urological care for older adults (65+). He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Dr. Balaji understands the unique health needs of seniors, focusing on age-related urinary and reproductive health issues like BPH, prostate cancer, and incontinence. As a partner in your senior health journey, he works closely with your primary care physician and other specialists to ensure comprehensive, personalized care. Dr. Balaji is widely known as a pioneer in the field of robotic surgery and is highly regarded as an expert in managing advanced urological cancers of the prostate, bladder, kidney, testes and penis. He completed rigorous medical training at recognized institutions, including residency training in Urology at University Of Massachusetts Medical Center, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of older adults (65+), and fellowship training in Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, deepening his expertise in a specific area of patient health. He is Board Certified in Urology by the American Board of Urology. Dr. Balaji's care philosophy emphasizes meticulous attention to detail and patient-centered communication. He is happy to welcome new patients and can be reached at (904) 383-1015 to schedule an appointment. He offers consultations in Tamil.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-provider partnership. Dr. Kethandapatti Balaji is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Balaji is a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive urological care with a focus on personalized treatment plans. He expertly addresses age-related urinary and reproductive health concerns, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, and incontinence, working collaboratively with primary care physicians and other specialists to ensure a holistic and supportive experience for each patient.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Kethandapatti Balaji can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Cigna
Coventry Health Care
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Buckeye Community Health Plan
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Midwest Health Plan
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Kethandapatti Balaji provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Hydronephrosis: Hydronephrosis is a condition where urine backs up and causes swelling in your kidney, often making it painful and potentially affecting kidney function.
- Hypogonadism: Hypogonadism is a hormonal imbalance affecting men, marked by low testosterone levels. Managing it with medical guidance can improve energy levels, mood, and sexual health, improving quality of life.
- Nighttime Urination (Nocturia): Waking up multiple times during the night to urinate can be frustrating, but it's often treatable. Your doctor can help find the cause and suggest solutions to improve your sleep and overall well-being.
- Urinary Incontinence: Losing control of your bladder can be embarrassing, but there are many ways to regain control and improve your comfort level. Don't hesitate to seek help; effective treatment is available.
- Overactive Bladder: Dealing with frequent and urgent urination? Overactive bladder might be the reason, and there are effective treatments available to help you manage these symptoms and enjoy a better quality of life.
- Urinary Stones: Dealing with kidney stones can be challenging, but modern medicine offers effective ways to manage the pain and prevent further problems, allowing you to enjoy a higher quality of life.
- Acute Cystitis: If you're experiencing burning when you urinate and a need to go often, you might have acute cystitis, a bladder infection treatable with antibiotics, leading to quick relief and improved comfort.
- Balanoposthitis: Experiencing discomfort or irritation at the tip of your penis? Balanoposthitis may be the cause, a condition readily managed with proper hygiene and treatment to relieve your symptoms and improve your overall well-being.
- Bladder Infection: Dealing with a bladder infection can be really bothersome, but it's treatable! Antibiotics help clear up the infection, allowing you to feel better and maintain your active lifestyle.
- Penile Cancer: For older men, maintaining good penile hygiene and promptly addressing any concerning skin changes can help prevent and manage penile cancer, allowing for a more comfortable and fulfilling life.
- Painful Urination (Dysuria): Dysuria, or painful urination, can be a sign of a urinary tract infection or other underlying condition, and with prompt medical care, you can find effective pain relief and get back to your usual routines.
- Prostate Cyst: Prostate cysts are benign sacs filled with fluid within the prostate, often causing no problems, and sometimes only detected incidentally during testing for other reasons.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Kethandapatti Balaji offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Adrenalectomy with Robotic Assist: As part of a comprehensive care plan, robotic-assisted adrenalectomy offers a precise and less invasive approach to removing adrenal gland tumors or abnormalities, potentially leading to better recovery for older adults.
- Cystectomy with Robotic Assist: Robotic-assisted cystectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that helps remove a diseased bladder, improving bladder cancer management in seniors.
- TURP (Transurethral Resection of Prostate) or Laser Destruction of Prostate: These minimally invasive procedures, TURP and laser prostate destruction, help reduce the size of an enlarged prostate, easing symptoms like frequent urination and weak urine stream in older adults.
- Vasectomy: A vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure that permanently prevents pregnancy by cutting and sealing the tubes that carry sperm.
- Cystotomy: If other treatments haven't been successful, a cystotomy can offer a direct approach to managing a severe bladder problem, enhancing your quality of life.
- Cystectomy: In certain cases, a cystectomy can be a life-saving surgery for seniors diagnosed with bladder cancer, helping to remove the disease and improve the chances of long-term health.
- Prostate Removal: If other treatments fail to manage an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer, prostate removal offers a potential solution to restore urinary function.
- Complex Penile Surgery: As part of a comprehensive urological care plan for seniors, complex penile surgery can correct anatomical defects or complications arising from other conditions.
- Orchiectomy: As part of a comprehensive cancer care plan, an orchiectomy may be recommended to help control the spread of prostate cancer and improve a senior's quality of life.
- Cystometry: This test helps your doctor understand how well your bladder is working and identify potential issues like overactive bladder or bladder weakness, leading to a better treatment plan.
- Bladder Scan: To create a personalized care plan for your bladder health, a bladder scan provides valuable information about your bladder function, guiding treatment decisions.
- Uroflowmetry: By measuring the speed and strength of your urine stream, uroflowmetry helps your doctor develop a personalized plan to address urinary issues and improve your quality of life.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Urology in Florida.
Dr. Kethandapatti Balaji is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- Following a urology consultation, a senior couple felt a significant reduction in the nagging pain associated with hydronephrosis, allowing them to enjoy their evening walks and conversations with newfound ease.
- Mr. Hernandez, after working with a urology specialist, experienced a marked improvement in his energy levels and mood, allowing him to once again enjoy his favorite hobby of playing golf with his friends.
- With nighttime urination significantly reduced, a senior couple enjoyed more restful sleep and felt more secure navigating their home at night.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Urology (Urology)
Here are answers to some common questions about Urological care with Dr. Kethandapatti Balaji:
- What is a Urologist?
- A urologist is a doctor specializing in the urinary tract and male reproductive system. They treat conditions like enlarged prostate, incontinence, kidney stones, and cancers of the urinary system in both men and women. Their expertise is especially important for seniors managing these issues.
- I have to urinate frequently, especially at night. Is this just a normal part of getting older?
- While urinary patterns can change with age, frequent or urgent urination is a medical symptom that should be evaluated. For men, it's often a sign of an enlarged prostate (BPH), and for both men and women, it can be a sign of an overactive bladder. Dr. Balaji can diagnose the cause and offer effective treatments to improve your comfort and sleep.
- What is a PSA test and who should have it?
- The PSA test is a simple blood test used to screen for prostate cancer. Deciding whether or not to have a PSA test is a personal choice to be made after discussing the potential benefits and risks with your doctor. Dr. Balaji can help you have this important conversation, considering your age, family history, and overall health.
- What is BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)?
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that often occurs in aging men. As the prostate grows, it can press on the urethra, leading to urinary problems such as a weak stream, frequent urination, and difficulty starting. Dr. Balaji offers a range of treatments, from medication to minimally invasive procedures like UroLift® or Rezum.
- Are recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) common in older women?
- Yes, recurrent urinary tract infections are unfortunately quite common in postmenopausal women. Hormonal changes can weaken the urinary tract's natural defenses, making them more susceptible. Dr. Balaji can evaluate for underlying anatomical problems and create a prevention strategy, possibly including low-dose antibiotics or other therapies.
- I sometimes leak urine when I cough or laugh. What can be done?
- This is a common condition called stress urinary incontinence, often due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. Fortunately, it's treatable. Options range from exercises to minimally invasive procedures like a urethral sling.
- I'm experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED). Is this something a urologist treats?
- Yes, erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very common condition, and urologists are the primary specialists who treat it. It can sometimes be linked to other health issues, and Dr. Balaji can conduct a confidential evaluation and discuss a wide range of effective treatments.
- What is a kidney stone and how is it treated?
- Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form inside the kidneys. They can cause significant pain as they pass. Many small stones can be passed by drinking plenty of water and taking pain medication, but for larger stones, Dr. Balaji can perform procedures like shock wave lithotripsy or use lasers to break them up.
653 W 8th St # 2
Jacksonville FL 32209
Phone: (904) 383-1015
Dr. Kethandapatti Balaji, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1558314484
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the provider named. Urology like Dr. Kethandapatti Balaji are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.