
29
March 2021
What's the Difference Between OAB & Incontinence?


19
March 2021
Can What I Eat and Drink Affect Prostate Cancer?
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At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will

17
February 2021
Can I Stop Taking OAB Medication if Symptoms Have Stopped?
When it comes to overactive bladder, there is no cure for the condition. With that said, there are several treatment options available
to help you manage your symptoms. It’s great that you haven’t experienced any discomfort for a few months, but that means your medication is doing
exactly what it is intended to do. It’s important to continue to take it as directed, otherwise symptoms may flare up again, including:
-The frequent urge to urinate
-Urinating often at night or bedwetting
-Leaking urine
Medication is typically prescribed alongside behavior modification techniques, or if behavior modification isn't working for you. These medications prevent involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle, which helps relieve symptoms. Popular drugs include Ditropan XL®, Detrol®, Vesicare® and Toviaz®.
If you don’t want to depend on taking medication, there are other treatment options available. Lifestyle changes can make a big difference, and we suggest limiting the amount of alcohol, salt and caffeine that you consume. Kegel exercises are also beneficial, as they strengthen your pelvic floor muscles.
Sacral nerve stimulation is also a wonderful option for many people. A neurostimulator device is carefully inserted under the skin, and it sends electrical pulses to the sacral nerve. Since this directly affects bladder control muscles, this stimulation can help improve your symptoms. It also lasts for several years, so you don’t have to worry about keeping up with medication each day.
If your symptoms go away after you begin taking medication, it’s important to continue to take it to ensure that they don’t return. You should always talk to your doctor before stopping a medication, and let him or her know if you’re interested in other treatment options.
At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will always be our top priority! Would you like to learn more about overactive bladder treatment options? Contact us today to schedule your appointment, or book your appointment online.

11
February 2021
What Should I Expect if I Get a Vasectomy?
Before you decide to get a vasectomy, make sure that you are finished having children. Getting a vasectomy reversed doesn’t guarantee that
you’ll be able to get your partner pregnant in the future. The chances of success also drop the longer you wait between your procedure and reversal.
However, if you’re certain that your family is complete, a vasectomy is a reliable form of contraception with a very low risk of complications.
If you’re feeling nervous, don’t fret! You’ll be given local anesthesia, so you’ll only feel some tugging instead of pain. The whole procedure takes less than 30 minutes to complete, and only requires one or two small incisions. Your doctor will remove part of your vas deferens, and the tubes will be cauterized or tied. You can go home soon after the surgery, and shouldn’t need to miss much work to recover, unless you want an excuse to stay home and watch basketball or any other big sports events going on.
After the procedure, you may experience mild discomfort, swelling and bruising that lasts for a few days. Use an ice pack to relieve the swelling and take over-the-counter pain medication for pain relief. Be sure not to exercise, lift anything heavy or have sex while your incision is healing. You shouldn’t experience any intense pain, but it’s important to let your doctor know right away if you do, as it could be a sign of an infection. Be sure to continue using birth control until your doctor has confirmed that it’s ok to stop.
At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will always be our top priority! Are you ready to schedule your vasectomy? Contact us today to schedule your appointment, or book your appointment online.

29
January 2021
What is the Prevalence of Prostate Cancer?
According
to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, 13 out of 100 American men will develop prostate cancer at some point
in life, and about 2-3 will die from the disease. It’s the second leading cause of cancer death in men across the country. Prostate cancer is very
common, and more likely to develop in older men, African American men and those who have a family history of it. Bringing it a little closer to home,
The American Cancer society estimates nearly 2,500 Arkansans will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021. They also estimate 270 Arkansans will
die from Prostate Cancer in 2021.
The good news is that it’s highly treatable, especially when diagnosed early. That’s why routine exams are incredibly important, particularly after the age of 50. If you are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer, you may want to consider getting exams even earlier.
There are usually no symptoms in the very early stages of prostate cancer, but pay attention if you experience any of the following:
●Painful urination or ejaculation
●Blood in your urine or semen
●Difficulty urinating
●Urinating frequently, including at night
●Pain in your lower back, hips, abdomen or pelvis
If you’re diagnosed with the disease, take time to talk to your doctor about the best treatment option for your unique situation. An active surveillance approach is preferred for many patients who have slow-growing cancer. Patients who have a higher risk type of cancer or desire curative therapy can often choose between surgical therapy, radiation therapy, or alternative therapies alongside their treatment of choice.
While prevalent, keep in mind that the five-year survival rate for men with local or regional prostate cancer is nearly 100%. Most men do not die from the disease, especially if it’s detected early and hasn’t spread to other parts of the body. The best way to stay on the safe side is to get screened regularly, even if you aren’t experiencing any symptoms.
Arkansas Urology provides World Class Cancer Care at 14 locations across the state of Arkansas. Book an appointment with us in your hometown, today.

7
January 2021
How is OAB Diagnosed?
Overactive bladder can certainly affect your quality of life, but it’s nothing to be ashamed of and you aren’t alone. If you find yourself urinating more often than usual
or having leaking accidents, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor right away. To get a proper diagnosis, your doctor will begin with a complete health
history to learn when your symptoms started and whether or not you have other urinary conditions.
You should keep a diary and record how much you drink, how often you urinate, and how urgently you feel the need to urinate each day. This will help you accurately answer any questions your doctor may have. Your doctor will examine your pelvis, abdomen, genitals and rectum, and likely perform a few tests to diagnose overactive bladder. These include:
- Urinalysis or urine sample
- Urodynamic testing
- Cystoscopy to detect cysts and growths in the bladder
These tests will help your doctor determine what is causing your overactive bladder, which will help him or her decide on the best treatment for your unique situation. When it comes to treatment, options range from behavior and lifestyle modifications to medication and sacral nerve stimulation with Interstim or Axonics.
If you’re suffering from overactive bladder, don’t spend another day embarrassed or uncomfortable. Millions of people suffer from the condition, and you shouldn’t feel ashamed to ask for help. Rushing to the restroom, wetting accidents and adult diapers can be a thing of the past. Experience relief from your symptoms...our team is here for you every step of the way.
At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will always be our top priority! Would you like to learn more about overactive bladder treatment options? Contact us today to schedule your appointment, or book your appointment online.

17
December 2020
Can Wine Prevent Kidney Stones?
While there isn’t specific scientific proof that wine prevents kidney stones from forming, certain studies have shown that both red and
white wines can have a positive effect on kidney health. When it comes to alcohol, wine in particular seems to reduce the risk of kidney stones more
than a variety of other alcoholic beverages.
Since alcohol is a diuretic, it causes our kidneys to produce more urine and remove excess fluids. This may contribute to the prevention of stones, but you should make sure you’re drinking plenty of water while enjoying your wine. Also, an unrelated benefit of drinking red wine is that it may lower your risk of heart disease due to antioxidants like resveratrol.
Although excessive alcohol consumption can cause kidney stones, drinking wine in moderation just might play a role in preventing them from forming. While wine may break down and provide your body with useful antioxidants, you shouldn’t overdo it. It’s important to remember that moderation is key when it comes to drinking any type of alcoholic beverage.
If you want to take it a step further when it comes to prevention, be sure to drink a lot of water. Staying properly hydrated is one of the single most important things you can do to prevent kidney stones. You should also avoid salty foods, sodas, and foods high in oxalate like beets, berries, peanuts, and chocolate. While you’re at it, cut down the amount of animal protein you consume in order to prevent the formation of uric acid stones.
We know all too well how painful kidney stones can be, and we don’t want them to ruin your holiday fun! If you have any questions about kidney stones, don’t hesitate to reach out to your urologist.
Do you suffer from kidney stones? At Arkansas Urology, our team of physicians is dedicated to helping you get healthy, stay healthy and live the life you want. Schedule an appointment online or give us a call today at 1-800-255-1762.

18
November 2020
What is Peyronie's Disease?
Peyronie’s disease is a condition in which fibrous scar tissue forms under the skin of
the penis, causing painful, curved erections. Common symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include soft erections, feeling lumps in the penis, pain during
sexual intercourse, shortening of the penis and having trouble maintaining an erection. While some men are still able to have sex and don’t experience
pain, other men have difficulties with the disease.
A risk factor associated with Peyronie’s disease is genetics, but genetics alone doesn’t cause it. It’s often caused by some sort of minor or repeated injury to the penis. Age and cardiovascular health may also play a role in the development of the condition. It can certainly have an effect on your sex life if it goes untreated, and that understandably leads to anxiety and stress. The good news is you can get help and find relief.
If you’re suffering from this condition, don’t be embarrassed to reach out to your doctor. He or she will be able to help you decide on the best treatment
for your unique situation. Most of the time this can be diagnosed by a simple physical examination.
Some common treatment options include medication, injections, lifestyle changes and surgery. Quitting smoking, exercising regularly and reducing the
amount of alcohol you drink may help prevent erectile dysfunction related to the disease. Certain medications may also be beneficial. However,
if symptoms don’t improve after a certain period of time, surgery may be necessary. Your doctor will help you decide on the best route to take.
The important thing is to seek help soon for the condition and don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about what you’ve been experiencing.
Peyronie’s disease can be painful and put a strain on your relationships, but don’t lose hope or put treatment on the back burner. At Arkansas Urology,
our team of physicians is dedicated to helping you get healthy, stay healthy and live the life you want. Schedule an appointment online or give us a call today at 1-800-255-1762.

5
November 2020
Overactive Bladder


19
October 2020
Myth or Fact: Pelvic Floor Exercises Won’t Help After a Certain Age
While pelvic floor exercises are certainly useful to women who have given birth, they’re
also beneficial to women of all ages for a variety of reasons. It’s never too late to start working your pelvic floor muscles, and doing so could actually
prevent future problems.
Kegel exercises are extremely helpful if you suffer from urinary incontinence. If you leak urine when you laugh, cough or sneeze, or you suddenly feel the need to urinate and have trouble making it to the restroom on time, you likely suffer from incontinence. Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor muscles over time, which can prevent some of the uncomfortable symptoms associated with urinary incontinence.
Kegel exercises also help to prevent pelvic organ prolapse, which can be caused by the natural aging process. Even if you do experience pelvic prolapse, these exercises may reduce the chance of mild conditions worsening while reducing symptom intensity and frequency.
Whether you’re 21 or 60 years old, pelvic floor exercises have a variety of benefits that can help you both now and in the future. There’s no reason
not to give them a try.