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Do you ever find yourself working long hours and skip your chance for a bathroom break? Do you often end up “holding it” for an extended time? This can cause damage to your bladder.

Remember when you were young and your parents would say “you can come back and play but you need to go to the bathroom?” We tend to forget this simple rule when it comes to emptying our bladders.

Your bladder can hold about two cups of urine. Even though your bladder can hold slightly more if needed, it’s a bad idea to push it beyond its capacity. Using the restroom when needed is a major health factor that most forget about.

Don’t ignore your body telling you to go. Holding your bladder for long periods of time can have adverse effects like UTIs or other issues. Bladders that aren’t emptied when needed can lead to renal failure due to electrolyte issues since metabolic waste leaves the body when urinating.

If you have an enlarged prostate, it can lead to retaining urine involuntarily. This may make it difficult to use the bathroom.

You should not make a habit of holding your urine all the time. Find a way to take short bathroom breaks. If you know that your work schedule is hectic, take advantage of down times even when you don’t feel the need to go. Or set reminders if you get busy and distracted for short breaks. For the sake of your health, don’t just hold it!

If you are experiencing bladder issues, we can help. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our expert doctors. 

Contrary to popular belief, erectile dysfunction is not a normal part of aging, and age doesn't factor in as much as you might think. However, there are a few things that you can do to prevent it.

There is not one single thing that causes erectile dysfunction, rather it can be a combination of many things. While this affects men of all ages, it is more common in older men. A few factors that contribute to this are:

• Stress, depression, anxiety
• Smoking, drugs, drinking
• Lack of exercise
• Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Nerve disorders
• Certain medications
  

Often, it is not one isolated issue, rather they are combined physical and physiological issues that affect the ability to get and sustain an erection. While erectile dysfunction can have a less than positive impact on your sex life, it can be treated.

There are several options that can help whether it’s lifestyle changes, medications or remedies. Working out, eating a healthier diet, reducing stress and finding someone to talk about anxiety or depression are all good things that can help prevent erectile dysfunction.

The good news is that you don’t have to live with ED. There are treatments available to help maintain your sex life. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a trusted physician. Since erectile dysfunction can have several underlying causes, such as heart disease, it is best to consult with a doctor who can help.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers. Yet, it is also one of the most treatable types of cancer today. Because of that, there are ways you can educate yourself about the disease and learn how to cope with a possible diagnosis. Here are six facts about prostate cancer:

1. More than 200,000 men are diagnosed annually with prostate cancer, and an estimated 30,000 of these will die of the disease.

2. About one in nine men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and about one in 41 will die of it. Prostate cancer is serious, but most men diagnosed do not die from it.

3. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, second only to skin cancer, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, behind lung cancer.

4. Not all prostate cancers are alike. More than 90 percent are found when they are confined to the prostate gland, and while some spread early and require treatment, many others are slow-growing and are unlikely to cause serious problems during a man’s lifetime.

5. The prostate-specific antigen test (PSA) measures the level of a protein produced by the prostate that circulates in a man’s blood. When there is a problem with the prostate, PSA levels are higher. For example, men who have a common condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may have elevated PSA levels (BPH is not cancer).

6. Changing your diet and exercise regimen can help to reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Try to avoid consuming alcohol, caffeine and sodium. Be sure to check with your doctor before making any major changes to your diet.

To learn more about the widely accepted treatments available at Arkansas Urology, visit our Prostate Cancer Center. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer or needs to schedule a screening, give us a call today. We can help you through this journey from diagnosis to treatment, call 1-877-321-8452.

Did you know there are things you can be doing to help with your prostate health? What we put into our bodies is extremely important. When we provide our bodies with the proper nutrients it aids in keeping our health in the best condition. Here is a list of foods to keep in mind for prostate health.

1. Broccoli
A good rule of thumb is always make sure you have something green on your plate. Is your plate bland and brown or colorful? Thinking this way will help you look for those vegetables to add to your plate.

2. Cayenne
Really, any peppers will do. The ingredient that makes the pepper hot, capsaicin, is thought to help reduce the growth of cancer in the body. If peppers aren’t your spice of life, you can also try using cayenne as a supplement.

3. Green tea
Green tea is packed full of antioxidants like polyphenols, which are believed to help reduce inflammation and fight cancer.

4. Turmeric
Turmeric is full of curcumin. This is great for reducing inflammation and helps your body to increase it’s intake of antioxidants. It is also thought to help fight cancer cells.

5. Brazil Nuts
These nuts are a good source of zinc, thiamine, magnesium, and are rich in selenium, a mineral that is believed to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

6.Berries
Berries are another great source of polyphenols and are full of antioxidants. They are also full of fiber, potassium and vitamin C.

Try to avoid your consumption of alcohol, caffeine and sodium and instead increase your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. Of course, always check with your doctor before making major changes to your diet.

If you often feel like you are running on empty and dealing with a lot of stress recently, you may experience bladder issues. Stress can affect our bodies in many different ways and often manifests physically. How can you reduce your stress and improve your health?

Stop pushing yourself past your limits. Our lives are so fast-paced and slowing down can really help to stop the chain reaction of stress affecting your health in negative ways. Stress often leads to a poor diet and less exercise resulting in sleep issues. All of which can lead to more health issues. 

There is no magic pill to reduce stress. It’s important to identify stress triggers and then work to eliminate some of them. We know that work or family issues are part of your everyday life. Simple techniques to help like exercise or mediation can help. Learn to say no to some things and make sure you have someone to talk to when you are feeling overwhelmed.

Think of your body like a computer. When you only open a few programs at a time, the computer runs very well. When stress begins to affect the bodies programming, it consumes so much space that all systems are disrupted, even the bladder and urinary tract can suffer. Stress can create the urge to frequently urinate due to the tense muscles putting pressure on your bladder. Stress can indirectly contribute to the formation of kidney stones due to the chain reaction discussed above. Since stress can manifest physically, it is important to reduce the amount of stress in your life.

If you could simply look at life’s big picture, you would come to realize - most things that stress you out are not worth the toil they take on your overall health.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common type of infection and account for over eight million doctor visits every year. Most people have experienced the terrible burning feeling and the relentless urge to pee. So how can you avoid getting another UTI?

Urine is actually very sterile but the tube called the urethra that allows urine to exit can also allow bacteria to enter and invade the bladder. One of the simplest ways to avoid a urinary tract infection is – if you have to go - GO! Holding urine for long periods of time allows any bacteria in the bladder a chance to grow. Drink a lot of water especially in the summer to help flush out the urinary tract system.

Women are more likely to contract a urinary tract infection because they have shorter urethras which allow bacteria quick access to the bladder. You can introduce bacteria while using the restroom or having sex. Always wipe from front to back after using the bathroom; keep the bladder empty and the area clean. Some simple things you can do to help prevent UTIs include wearing cotton underwear and drinking cranberry juice.

Kidney stones can also be a culprit because they can block the urinary tract and back up the urine and give bacteria plenty of time to grow. Diabetes can also increase your odds of contracting a UTI.

One in two people will get a urinary tract infection at some point, so remember if you are experiencing UTI symptoms such as painful and frequent urination, cloudy or smelly urine and fever, you need to contact your doctor. And if you need to go – GO!

Jellyfish appear as a smooth, translucent bell in the ocean waters and are often seen on the beach shoreline. They are fun to watch and may appear harmless at first. However, when our skin comes in contact with the jellyfish’s tentacles – the pain is instant! Angry, red, whip-like lash marks radiate from the sting site and it starts to itch, burn and throb. Thankfully, the discomfort will peak after about five minutes and dissipate over the next few hours.

So what do you do if you or a family member has an encounter with one of these translucent, bulbous creatures? Don’t pee on it! Experts suggest that urine may even worsen the sting.

The recommended treatment is to immediately get out of the water and remove any tentacles. Use something such as a credit card to brush them off or lightly rub sand over the site. Do not scratch the stung area because the remaining stinging cells will fire and release even more venom. After you remove the tentacles, treat the pain by immersing it in hot water for at least twenty minutes.

Jellyfish stings can spoil an afternoon at the beach, so always keep your eyes open. If you see dead jellyfish on the shoreline beware they will be present in the water also. Although most jellyfish found along our beaches are not dangerous to people, if you are traveling to other countries be cautious as some species of jellyfish are extremely toxic. If the person shows signs of a severe allergic reaction, always seek immediate medical attention.

The jellyfish sting is so painful you will be anxious to find relief but urine is not your answer. It is a medical myth!

Whether playing a round of golf or taking the dog for a walk, our internal thermometer will respond by attempting to cool itself. Depending on weather conditions, a long brisk walk may generate up to 16 ounces of sweat (a pound of water).

The human body is made up of over 60% water and that is a reminder of how important it is to avoid dehydration. Water is essential for life and our best choice for refueling.

For the average person, who does light outdoor activities, the recommendation is 8 – 10 glasses a day. Athletes need to take extra precautions by drinking water one hour prior to exercise, every 15 minutes during exercise and an hour after exercise.

You can also stay fully hydrated by eating foods with high water content. Fruits such as watermelon and oranges or vegetables like celery, tomatoes, and cucumbers provide a nutrient-rich water source. Coffee and tea can also count. However, you should limit your intake of alcohol, because it is a diuretic. Diuretics make you urinate more and lose additional fluid.

Drinking sufficient levels on a daily basis is an important part of your bladder and kidney health. Good hydration is thought to help ‘flush out’ bacteria from the urinary tract and avoid infections (UTIs). It also helps to decrease the concentration of substances and crystallization involved in kidney stone formation.

Symptoms of dehydration can be minor, such as increased thirst. You can tell if you are getting enough fluids by checking your urine. It should be light-colored (pale yellow) and you should be urinating every 2-4 hours. Mild dehydration is easy to reverse – simply drink more water. Severe dehydration, on the other hand, requires immediate medical treatment.

The summer is often referred to as kidney stone season and for good reason. We all know when it is hot out, our bodies try to cool off by sweating. It’s hard to keep cool when you aren’t properly hydrated. Dehydration is the most common cause of kidney stones. 

Kidney stones are hard clumps of minerals that sometimes form when your body doesn’t have enough natural chemicals in urine that prevent clumping. These clumps, or stones, can be very painful as they move from your kidneys and through your system. They form when the balance of water, salts, minerals and other substances in urine is off because your urine contains more crystal-forming substances like calcium than the fluid in your urine can dilute.

When you aren’t drinking enough water, the body is unable to eliminate excess minerals through urination. When this happens, those minerals can settle and form stones. The simple solution to avoiding kidney stones? Drink more water!

When we think of kidney stones, we often think of what we are drinking, not so much what we are eating. But what we are putting into our bodies is so important! Watch what you eat this summer. Tangy foods like barbecue for example can make kidney stones more likely because they are high in salt, protein and sugar. Fruits and vegetables are your best bet. The best thing you can do this summer is to be proactive rather than reactive. Make sure you are staying hydrated and eating the best food to fuel your body.

This month we are talking all things men. With June being Men’s Health month, we wanted to share how important it is for you to seek regular checkups and be an advocate for your health. Keep reading to see how Arkansas Urology can help you in any and every stage of your health journey.

Testicular cancer is more common in men from ages 15 – 35. While testicular cancer is rare, your risk for it does go up if you have a family history of it. We would recommend mentioning any information you have about your family’s medical history to your doctor on your next visit. The good news is that it’s highly treatable even if cancer has spread somewhat. There is not a typical screening, but we do recommend self-checks, so you can see a doctor early if it starts to develop. Look for a lump, feelings of heaviness or an ache or any pain or discomfort in that area.

Prostate cancer affects older men typically and is the No. 1 cancer risk for men. We recommend prostate cancer screenings starting at age 50. This can be done sooner if you are at higher risk. About one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes. The average age of men at the time of their diagnosis is 66.

The five most common cancers for men are prostate, lung, colorectal, bladder and melanoma. At Arkansas Urology, we also treat bladder cancer of those five. There is no typical screening only symptoms to look for, such as blood in your urine, burning pain and needing to go more frequently.

To learn more about the widely accepted treatments available at Arkansas Urology, visit our Prostate Cancer Center. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with prostate cancer or needs to schedule a screening, give us a call today. We can help you through this journey from diagnosis to treatment, call 1-877-321-8452.