Services

Telemedicine Services at Arkansas Urology

Q: How is Arkansas Urology making clinical adjustments during this time of COVID-19 while still seeing patients?

A: During this state of national emergency, Arkansas Urology is proud to offer telehealth services to our patients. This means that in many cases, you now have the option to meet with your doctor through your smartphone or computer.

Q: Why is this a better option than seeing a doctor or APN in a clinic?

A: Your safety is our top priority, and we want to make sure that you stay as healthy and comfortable as possible. Thanks to telemedicine, you can also save time, money and energy without missing your appointment or having to leave your home. This is especially helpful for follow-up appointments. Arkansas Urology wants to ensure that some urgent and emergent care is diverted to our clinic and surgery center to avoid potential overloading of the hospital emergency rooms.

Q: In terms of technology, how does this work?

A: You can still keep your appointment and see your physician or provider from home via secure and interactive video equipment. All you need is a computer, iPad or smartphone with audio and video capabilities. All sessions are secure, encrypted and follow the same privacy guidelines as traditional, in-person medical appointments. They’re confidential and you never have to worry about them being recorded.

Q: Will my insurance provider cover the cost of a telemedicine visit?

A: In many cases, yes. The federal government has relaxed many regulations and so have many commercial insurance plans. We will verify for you when you set up your appointment.

Q: What are physicians still seeing patients in-person for vs. telemedicine?

A: Physicians are still seeing patients for those who have pre-existing conditions and treating urgent/ emergent situations that are life threating. In addition, we are still seeing patients in the clinic for circumstances that do not allow for telemedicine. If you do come to our clinic, we are screening all patients and our staff to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone.

Q: How do I schedule a telemedicine appointment? How should I prepare?

A: You can schedule telemedicine appointments the same way you would a traditional appointment — online or by phone. After your appointment is scheduled, you will receive a confirmation email with further instructions. If you are unsure that your appointment would meet telemedicine requirements, you can request it and our staff members will review and let you know well in advance of the appointment. On the day of your appointment, make sure that the room you’re in is well-lit, and it’s easy for your doctor to view, observe and speak to you. If you have any questions about telemedicine or what you need for your appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will always be our top priority!

Tim Langford, M.D.

Arkansas Urology

1300 Centerview Dr.

Little Rock, AR 72211

Toll Free - 800-255-1762

Local 501-219-8900

www.arkansasurology.com

Enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a fairly common urological condition among men. In fact, enlarged prostate symptoms occur in more than half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60, and it’s even more common in men over 70. Risk factors include aging, conditions such as diabetes, and family history. 

The good news is prostate enlargement isn’t cancer and doesn’t appear to lead to cancer. However, as your prostate grows, it can squeeze down on your urethra. You may experience uncomfortable symptoms such as:

• Frequent urination
• Urinary incontinence
• Weak or slow urine flow
• Feeling that your bladder isn’t empty
• Painful or difficult urination
• Increased nighttime bathroom visits disrupting sleep

BPH can be diagnosed with the UroCuff Test, a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate urine flow, bladder function and voiding pressure. It’s simple and a comfortable option for most patients, and helps physicians empirically evaluate bladder functioning over time. Other tests that may be offered include a prostate-specific antigen test, digital rectal exam, urinalysis, ultrasound or blood creatinine test.

When it comes to an enlarged prostate, treatment options include medication, UroLift, laser treatment and surgery. Your urologist will be able to explain these options in detail and suggest the best method of treatment for your unique situation. The good news is surgical treatment is typically a last resort reserved for rare cases. Most of the time, less invasive treatments will be able to relieve your symptoms and restore your quality of life.

At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Do you suffer from enlarged prostate and have questions? Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professionals to discuss your options, or book an appointment online in minutes.

When it comes to birth control, you have a variety of options. Vasectomy is one of the most effective forms of birth control though, and it also comes with a very low risk of side effects. In fact, a vasectomy is over 99% effective!

The procedure is simple and only takes around 30 minutes to complete. Many men worry about the pain that may be involved with a vasectomy, but the pain is minimal and the procedure only requires one to two small incisions in the scrotum. On the other hand, tubal ligation requires general anesthesia and is much more invasive. Vasectomy is simply a safer procedure that comes with fewer complications.

A vasectomy has rare complications. After about a week you can have sex, but keep in mind it takes eight to 10 weeks and 12 to 20 ejaculations after your procedure to become sterile. Be safe and continue using birth control until you have taken a semen test.

Another thing to consider is the price. A vasectomy is cheaper than tubal ligation because it can be performed under local anesthesia in an office rather than under general anesthesia in a hospital or surgical center. A vasectomy also has the added advantage of post procedure testing to insure success, which tubal ligations do not. Also, other forms of birth control such as IUDs and pills are ongoing expenses that’ll affect you for years to come.

A vasectomy can also be the perfect excuse for you to take a few days off work and relax on the couch. Many men time the procedure before the college basketball tournament or other prime television watching times. Maybe something you want to consider as you think about the next steps!

The important thing to remember is that the procedure is quick and effective with little pain.

At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Are you considering a vasectomy and have questions? Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professionals to discuss your options, or book an appointment online in minutes.

Routine urological checkups are incredibly important for men, especially once you hit 50 years of age. At Arkansas Urology, we recommend a 10-point checkup to get you on the right track to better health in 2020! Your checkup should cover:

1. PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) - This test measures the level of a protein produced by the prostate that circulates in the blood. Elevated PSA levels can be seen with prostate inflammation, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or cancer.

On behalf of all doctors and staff, thanks for making this such an exciting time of growth for Arkansas Urology! 2019 was absolutely phenomenal, and we couldn’t have done it without you. As we embark on adding our 14th location in Arkansas in the new year, we would like to convey our sincere appreciation to each and every one of you. We want to assure our new and existing patients that we are working hard to be the gold standard in patient care.

As the premier urology group in Arkansas, our new year’s resolution to YOU will be that Arkansas Urology will strive to be more efficient, effective and accessible for the people who matter to us the most. We apologize that we’ve experienced a few growing pains lately due to our high patient volume and fast pace growth. As part of the AU Gold Standards, we will always strive to walk in the patients’ shoes , wow our patients, and most importantly, be relentless about making improvements.

As the patient, YOU are always our number one priority. In the new year, we look forward to working hard to earn your honor, respect and satisfaction for all of your urological healthcare needs. In 2020, we are also expanding our men’s health services. Learn more about that here.

With our growing practice, it’s more important that you know all the ways you can get in touch with us -

1.) Online: Whether you’re in the comfort of your home or on your lunch break, you can schedule your next appointment online with the click of a button! Whether you’re experiencing new symptoms, having trouble with overactive bladder, need a prostate exam or think you may be suffering from kidney stones, simply visit our website and book your appointment in minutes. You can learn more about all the conditions we see and the treatments we offer on our website to answer questions even before your appointment. To get started, find your location and view appointment availability near you.

2.) Patient Portal: If you haven’t checked out Arkansas Urology’s Patient Portal, now is the perfect time to do so! You can also review and update your information, view and pay your bills online, communicate with your physician directly and more in a confidential setting. You can also see your latest test results at your convenience at any time.

3.) By Phone: As always, you can give us a call with any concerns, appointments needs or special requests. As our call volume is often high, we appreciate your patience as we take care of all of our patients.

In closing, we thank YOU for choosing Arkansas Urology. Here’s to a happy and healthy 2020!

We all know that drinking water is important, but are there alternative drinks that will help you stay hydrated? Dr. Adam Childs in our Bentonville clinic gives advice on how to stay hydrated and which drinks to stay away from and which ones are good alternatives to water. Watch this to learn more. 

While some flu symptoms can be similar to symptoms of a bladder infection — such as a urinary tract infection or a kidney infection — the flu will not lead to one. While it is possible to experience bladder infections while you have the flu, influenza doesn’t cause them to develop.

Bladder infections occur when bacteria make their way into the urethra and bladder. Women often suffer from bladder infections more often than men, and a variety of things can cause one to develop. These include having sexual intercourse, not urinating after intercourse, wiping from back to front after using the restroom, inserting a tampon and having diabetes.

Symptoms of a bladder infection can include:

• Burning sensation while urinating
• Cloudy or blood-tinged urine
• Pain in your pelvic area or abdomen
• Fever and chills
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Frequent urination

While some of these symptoms are similar to symptoms of the flu, they are very different conditions with different causes. The flu is caused by influenza viruses that infect your throat, nose and lungs. These viruses are spread when an infected person sneezes or coughs, sending droplets into the air that people nearby can breathe in. The flu can also be spread on surfaces such as tables and doorknobs for up to 48 hours.

Bladder infections are usually caused by bacteria, while conditions such as the flu are caused by viruses. So while it may feel like the flu is leading to a bladder infection, that isn’t the case. If you feel like you may be suffering from a bladder infection alongside the flu, you should schedule an appointment with your urologist.

At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. If you have questions about bladder infections or bladder health, don’t hesitate to reach out for more information. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professionals to discuss treatment options, or book an appointment online in minutes.

Although people may not talk about it much, there’s certainly a connection between cold weather and needing to urinate more often. While nobody knows for sure why this connection exists, professionals assume it’s due to something called cold diuresis.

When your temperature starts to drop, your body reacts by constricting your blood vessels in order to reduce blood flow to the skin. This causes the warmth to collect around your internal organs instead, which leads to an increase in blood pressure since the same amount of blood is now being pumped all over your body through a smaller amount of space. In response to this pressure increase, your kidneys work to filter out excess fluid in the blood to reduce the blood’s volume, causing you to urinate.

While there’s currently no scientific evidence we can use to pinpoint certain risk factors for cold diuresis, such as age or exposure length, you can relax knowing that your symptoms probably aren’t due to a serious underlying health condition.

We do have a few tips for you if you find yourself experience cold diuresis:

1. Stay Warm. Technically, this phenomenon is a warning sign that your body senses the threat of hypothermia. Make sure that you’re wearing plenty of layers and a thick jacket if you plan on being outside in cold temperatures.

2. Drink Plenty of Water. Since you’re losing more fluid than usual due to frequent urination, it’s important to stay hydrated. Make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water each day to keep your body functioning at 100 percent.

3. Track Your Changes. Using the restroom a few more times per day than you usually do is normal in the winter months, but be mindful of any serious changes. If you find yourself using the restroom excessively to the point of discomfort, or you experience symptoms such as urinary incontinence, bladder spasms or bedwetting, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible to rule out underlying conditions such as overactive bladder.

At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. If you have questions about cold diuresis, overactive bladder, urinary incontinence or overall bladder health, don’t hesitate to reach out for more information. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professionals to discuss treatment options, or book an appointment online in minutes.

The holiday season can definitely be risky when it comes to your urological health. Seeing all of your favorite treats can be tempting, but going too far can lead to unwanted symptoms flaring up. Certain foods and beverages can trigger urinary incontinence, frequent urination, kidney stones and more! It’s important that this is already on your radar and you are being conscious of the effects the holidays can have on your health. 

Here are a few tips to keep you healthy for the holidays:

1. Go easy on the alcohol. Many people enjoy alcoholic beverages, especially at holiday parties, but it’s best to dilute them if you do decide to imbibe. For every alcoholic drink you consume, drink twice the amount of water. Alcohol increases urgency and frequency of urination and can lead to incontinence. Even with overactive bladder don’t be afraid to drink more water if you are drinking alcohol.

2. Limit sugar. While cake, pie and homemade candy are certainly tempting, limit the amount of sugar you consume to prevent kidney stones from forming and overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms from flaring up.

3. Avoid caffeine. Caffeinated foods and beverages, such as coffee, soda, and chocolate, can increase bladder activity and lead to a variety of urological issues. Drinking a lot of soda can also lead to the development of kidney stones.

4. Eat a lot of fiber. Enjoy fresh vegetables, grains, and legumes to prevent constipation, which can worsen urinary incontinence.

5. Drink plenty of water. Drinking water is key when it comes to staying healthy, regardless of whether or not you suffer from OAB. And during the holidays, when life is more hectic and busy, it’s easy thing to forget. Water also helps prevent the formation of painful kidney stones, which can have a very negative impact on your day to day routine. You definitely don’t want kidney stones to form just in time for the holidays!

At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. If you have questions about overactive bladder, kidney stones or overall bladder health, don’t hesitate to reach out for more information. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professionals to discuss treatment options, or book an appointment online in minutes.