Meet Dr. Brian DeCastro, New Fauquier Health Urologist

Dr. Brian DeCastro, urologist, has joined Fauquier Health Urology. He can be reached at 540-316-3940.

Dr. Brian DeCastro

• Specialty: Urology
• Education: Bachelor’s degree from St. Bonaventure University in upstate New York; M.D. at Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York;  residency at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington
• Previous position: Stationed at Ft. Stewart Georgia outside of Savannah for five years
• Age: 37
• Office: 550 Hospital Drive, Warrenton (540-316-5940); 7915 Lake Manassas Drive, Lake Manassas (703-743-7300)
• Website: www.fhdoctors.org

Fauquier Health is delighted to welcome Dr. Brian DeCastro, urologist, to its medical staff. He is just as happy to be at Fauquier Health. He said, “When I left the Army, my wife and I were free to move anywhere in the country. We both fell in love with Warrenton and Fauquier Hospital. Warrenton seems like an ideal place to raise a family.  Everyone here is so friendly and welcoming, and the hospital’s patient-centered care model suits me perfectly.”

We chatted with Dr. DeCastro recently about his approach to urology.

Q: Why did you choose urology as your specialty?   

I always thought I would choose family practice as a specialty, but when I worked during my third year with a local urologist, I found that I really enjoyed all of the surgeries and office procedures.  Urology is very satisfying because you have the ability to definitively help people.  It’s very rewarding to improve patients’ overall quality of life by treating urologic cancers, relieving kidney stone pain and correcting incontinence.

  

Q: What are the most common ailments that you see in your patients? 

Kidney stones, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, enlarged prostate/BPH, erectile dysfunction, low testosterone, urinary incontinence (leakage), kidney and ureteral cancer, male infertility, urinary tract infections, testicular cancer, testicular pain, vasectomies and neurogenic bladder.

Q: Are there any new techniques or treatments that are especially exciting? 

Urology is constantly growing and changing. Currently in urology we are making significant advances in the management of prostate cancer. We have the ability to laser stones through tiny scopes and improve incontinence. In the past 10 years there has also been an increased focus on testosterone replacement in men, with significant improvements in quality of life.

Q: Are your patients mostly men?  

That is a common misconception. Many urologic conditions affect both men and women --  kidney stones, different cancers (kidney, bladder), and neurogenic bladder. Both incontinence and urinary tract infections are more common in women.  Urology has long been thought to be associated with men, but a significant portion of my patients are female.  Urologists also treat several pediatric conditions as well. 

Q: Are there steps people can take to prevent urological problems?  

Here are a few examples of the importance of preventative medicine in urology:

·       Patients with kidney stones can drink more water, and avoid salt and oxalate-containing foods to minimize stone episodes. 

·       Smoking is the number one cause of bladder cancer and can contribute to erectile dysfunction. 

·       Weight loss can improve both testosterone levels and female incontinence. 

·       Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) screening in certain age groups can prevent advanced prostate cancer. 

Q: Do you have a special interest in any particular sub-specialty of urology? 

I truly enjoy all aspects of urology.  Prevention and management of kidney stones has been of particular interest to me. I also am very interested in men's health.  Over half of men over 50 suffer from low testosterone and erectile dysfunction. For years this area of medicine was neglected mostly because there were not many options to help them.  We now have several medications and even surgery for the management of erectile dysfunction.  There are several ways to improve testosterone levels and as a result overall quality of life (improved energy, mood, libido, and bone health).  There is also significant evidence that testosterone can improve glucose control in diabetics.

Q: What is your philosophy about patient care? 

The patient comes first.  It is that simple.  One of the advantages of joining the hospital (as opposed to starting a private practice) is that it allows me to focus on patient care.  That is why I went into medicine -- to help patients.