Patient-Focused Philosophy

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.

As you probably know, a hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus and oophorectomy is the removal of the ovaries. The ovaries are the main producers of estrogen in your body. During menopause, women experience a variety of uncomfortable symptoms as estrogen levels gradually decline. However, after an oophorectomy, estrogen levels drop dramatically. This often leads to more severe symptoms of menopause, including decreased sex drive, chills, vaginal dryness and problems sleeping.

Millions of women suffer from hormonal imbalances due to natural or surgical menopause, but many women don’t know treatment options are available. MonaLisa Touch helps restore your pelvic health with the use of gentle laser therapy that delivers controlled energy to vaginal wall tissue. The laser therapy is delivered by a probe inserted into the vaginal canal. A two-part pulse targets both surface tissue and deep tissue to promote vaginal mucosal revitalization.

MonaLisa Touch painlessly generates new collagen, elastin and vascularization, and many patients report that they only feel a gentle vibration during treatment. Anesthesia isn’t necessary, and patients receive three spaced out treatments, each of which takes only a matter of minutes to perform.

MonaLisa Touch can provide symptom relief for most women suffering from a decline in estrogen, including women who have had a hysterectomy or oophorectomy. If you have experienced vaginal dryness, itching, painful intercourse, you could be a candidate. You should speak to your urologist about the best treatment options available for you based on your specific needs.

At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. If you’re interested in MonaLisa Touch, or want to learn more about the procedure, 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.

If you suffer from overactive bladder, it's important to pay attention to how your body and bladder react after drinking certain things. There are definitely drinks that can worsen the symptoms of overactive bladder or OAB. They can irritate the lining of your bladder and lead to discomfort. Acidic, caffeinated and alcoholic beverages are among the top culprits, which unfortunately means that wine, coffee, soda, orange juice and sweet tea should be enjoyed sparingly. Sweetened juices, such as apple juice, can also worsen symptoms when consumed in large amounts.

One thing you can do is dilute your drink before it reaches your bladder and causes symptoms to flare up. Try to consume two glasses of water for every one beverage you drink that that aggravates your OAB. If you’re a coffee drinker, try pouring a cup that is half regular and half decaf. This can help prevent irritation.

It’s also important to make sure that you’re staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water each day. Take sips throughout the day instead of gulping down large amounts at once to prevent symptoms from worsening. Your urine should be light yellow or clear at all times. If it’s dark yellow, you aren’t consuming enough water. A common misconception is that cutting back on how much water you drink will help when it comes to overactive bladder, but that simply isn’t true. Staying hydrated should be a priority, and it’s necessary to maintain a healthy body — whether you suffer from OAB or not.

At the end of the day, there’s a variety of drinks you should avoid or limit consumption of if you’re trying to improve symptoms of OAB. While there isn’t a cure for the condition, many people find some relief through lifestyle changes, dietary changes or medication. If you suffer from overactive bladder, there are certainly things you can do to help alleviate your symptoms, such as Kegel exercises or trying to time your trips to the restroom. You should have a conversation with your urologist about your unique symptoms and triggers, and discover the best treatment plan for you.

Do you suffer from overactive bladder? We’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our professionals to discuss treatment options, or book an appointment online in minutes.

When it comes to prostate cancer, several treatment options are available. The best option for you depends on several factors, including how advanced your cancer is, your age, your life expectancy and if you have any other medical conditions. Your urologist will be able to take all factors into consideration and talk through the best options for you.

Watchful waiting is typically the preferred treatment method for men who have slow-growing cancers or limited life expectancy due to age or certain medical conditions. Regular checkups are recommended to monitor growth, and active treatment is often the next step if symptoms get worse.

Other options include:

• Hormone therapy to control the supply of hormones, such as testosterone, that cancer cells need to grow.
• High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment as a minimally invasive option that also drastically reduces side effects such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence. This is an option for those watchful waiters.
• Chemotherapy to slow or reverse the spread of prostate cancer in advanced stages.
• Radiation therapy to damage tumor cells. This treatment is typically recommended when the cancer is confined to the immediate prostate area.
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to deliver precise radiation to malignant tumors.
• Surgery, which includes open radical prostatectomy and prostatectomy. These procedures are intended to remove all cancerous tissue to cure the cancer, and are typically performed during early stages of the disease.
• Cryosurgery to destroy cancerous tissue.
• Da Vinci robotic surgery to dissect and remove the cancerous prostate gland.

Again, everyone is unique and you should speak to your urologist about the best options for you when it comes to treating prostate cancer. Luckily, it’s often effectively treated and cured, especially when it’s detected in its early stages.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled urologists, or schedule an appointment online in minutes. We look forward to hearing from you!