Dr. Joel Locke, Dr. William Tissot and Alison Skidmore held a luncheon for Williamson Medical Center’s Healthy U: Causes and Treatments for an Overactive Bladder (OAB). The discussion addressed the causes and treatments for an overactive bladder and other urological issues. For more information regarding seminars and discussions please visit our News and Events page at Urologynashville.com .

If you’ve ever had kidney stones , then you know how painful they can be. These hard mineral clumps can cause extreme discomfort as they pass through your urinary system, and can cause urine to back up if they get stuck in a ureter or in your bladder. The good news is that your urologist can help you manage the pain associated with kidney stones and even help you prevent them in future. Continue reading to learn about recognizing the signs of kidney stones as well as understanding the causes and treatment options for them.

Symptoms

If the kidney stones are very small, they may not cause any symptoms at all. Urologists refer to these as silent stones. Larger stones, however, cause a range of symptoms. Pain is the most common. It usually comes on suddenly and may appear as cramping in the side, abdomen, groin, or lower back. It comes in waves but does not improve with rest and is usually quite severe. Nausea, vomiting, fever, and difficulty urinating may accompany the pain.

Causes

Kidney stones form when an excess of the minerals that form stones appears in the urine or when urine volume declines. A number of different factors can cause this to occur, including dehydration from inadequate fluid intake and urinary tract infections (UTI). Many medical conditions can increase the risk of kidney stones, including gout and diabetes. Some medications, such as diuretics, and dietary factors, such as a high-protein diet, can also contribute to kidney stone formation.

Treatment

Depending on the size of your kidney stone, it may pass on its own, and you may only need pain medications to ease your symptoms. If your stone is too large to pass without treatment, your urologist may prescribe medications or use a procedure called lithotripsy, during which shock waves are used to break up the stone. Surgery to remove the stone is also possible.

At Urology Associates P.C. , our doctors can help you get relief from the intense pain of kidney stones in Nashville, and help you develop strategies for preventing future bouts. If you’re experiencing the symptoms of a kidney stone, call us at (888) 329-7700.

If you’re experiencing a loss of bladder control, or urinary incontinence, make an appointment with your urologist in Nashville . This condition, which often causes embarrassment, is treatable. Your urologist can pinpoint the cause of your incontinence, and work with you to develop a treatment plan and resolve your symptoms.

It’s important to recognize urinary incontinence as a symptom of an underlying problem, rather than a disease itself. By addressing the underlying issue, your urologist can treat your incontinence. Common causes include bladder and pelvic floor muscle weakness, nerve disorders, and vaginal prolapse. Birth defects, a UTI, and even constipation can also cause incontinence. Depending on the cause, your urologist can treat your incontinence with medications, surgery, or lifestyle changes.

Urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging, and you do not have to live with it. Schedule a consultation at Urology Associates P.C. to get on the road to recovery. To make an appointment, call us at (888) 329-7700.

One common reason why people visit a urologist in Nashville is for urinary tract infections. Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, can happen in both men and women, but women are much more prone to getting them. By understanding UTIs better you can learn to spot the symptoms and get treatment early, before the infection becomes severe. Here is what you need to know.

What Causes Urinary Tract Infections?

Urinary tract infections occur when bacteria are introduced to the urinary system. This can happen from not wiping from front to back after using the bathroom or from sexual contact. When bacteria enter the system, they can travel from the urethra to the bladder, and eventually to the kidneys. When a UTI spreads to the kidneys, the infection can be serious and urgent treatment is required.

What Are the Symptoms?

UTI symptoms include a burning sensation during urination and a strong urge to urinate with only a small amount of urine actually passing. You may notice that your urine smells strong or that it is cloudy or has blood in it. Pain in the lower back also often accompanies a UTI. If you experience a fever with a UTI, it usually means that the infection has spread to your kidneys.

What Are the Treatments for Urinary Tract Infections?

UTI treatment usually involves taking antibiotics and drinking plenty of water to flush the bacteria out of your body. Cranberry juice is also helpful. If your UTI is painful, your urologist may also prescribe pain medication. For less severe pain, try using a heating pad to ease your discomfort.

At the first sign of a UTI, make an appointment at Urology Associates P.C. for diagnosis and treatment. Attacking a UTI early will prevent it from spreading and becoming more serious. To schedule an appointment with one of our urologists, please call (888) 329-7700.

Urology Associates’ WISH (Women’s Institute for Sexual Health) is pleased to introduce a leading edge treatment to their practice to improve vaginal health issues often caused by menopause and drug-induced suppression of ovarian function as a result of chemotherapy treatments from cancer. MonaLisa Touch, an in-office procedure that is virtually painless and requires no anesthesia, recently received FDA clearance.

“This breakthrough procedure improves symptoms including dryness, pain, itching, painful urination and painful intercourse as early as the first treatment,” said Marcy Abel, M.D., FPMRS, who serves as the medical director for (WISH).

Brooke Faught, MSN, WHNP-BC, IF, and Vikki Pedigo, MSN, WHNP-BC offer the latest technology available to diagnose and treat alterations in normal sexual function in the WISH program that was developed over ten years ago. “MonaLisa Touch is a real breakthrough for feminine health,” stated Faught. “It offers a, quick and painless remedy for a medical condition with a large unmet need for an effective treatment option. Traditional treatments do not always prove effective, so I am grateful I am able to offer my patients an alternative.”

Faught and Pedigo are among the first in the middle Tennessee area to offer the special fractional CO2 laser specifically designed to help postmenopausal women as well as breast cancer survivors.

For more information on MonaLisa Touch, please visit our website or call us at (615) 250-9265.

If you’re living with erectile dysfunction in Nashville, don’t suffer in silence. Treatment options are available from your urologist, including surgery. Watch this video to learn more about reclaiming your sexual health.

When you have erectile dysfunction, or ED, your urologist will start with a complete medical workup to discover if there are any health issues contributing to your symptoms. If so, treating these problems may resolve your ED. If the cause can’t be pinpointed, your urologist may recommend a number of different medications to treat ED. If these conservative treatments don’t work, penile implant surgery can cure your ED.

If you’re suffering from ED, make an appointment with a specialist at Urology Associates P.C. today. To schedule a consultation, please call (888) 329-7700.

While doctors are unable to diagnose testicular cancer based exclusively on symptoms, there are some signs that can indicate the possible presence of cancer and prompt you to speak with your doctor. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should not hesitate to schedule an appointment with Urology Associates P.C. to discuss your testicular health. There has been an increase in the rate of testicular cancer diagnosis, but this type of cancer is highly treatable. In fact, more than 95% of cases will result in successful treatment when symptoms are brought to the attention of a doctor early on.

Growth on the testicles

The primary symptom of testicular cancer is a lump on or in the testicle. Testicular lumps are typically painless and can be felt with the hands. Swelling or enlargement of one testicle is another possible symptom, and this may take place without the presence of a lump.

Aching or heaviness in the lower belly

Most often, testicular cancer does not cause pain, but some men will experience a heaviness or aching in the lower belly or scrotum. It’s important to address any abnormal pain with your doctor, since pain in this area could be a sign of other serious medical conditions if cancer is not present.

Breast growth or tenderness

There are rare cases in which certain types of testicular cancer will cause fluctuation in hormones, which may lead to the development of male breasts or soreness in the breast tissue. A reduced sex drive can also result from these hormonal fluctuations.

Low back pain

If testicular cancer spreads to the lymph nodes, there may be pain in the lower back or belly. However, many men will experience no symptoms when testicular cancer spreads, which is why it is essential to seek medical care for symptoms that take place in the testicles.

To schedule a consultation where you can discuss your symptoms, call Urology Associates P.C. at (888) 329-7700. Our Nashville practice offers state-of-the-art care onsite from a team of 34 urologists providing compassionate care to men and women.

Dr. Jayram and Rick Trotter, Men’s Health manager, will be attending The Father and Son Wellness Fair will be Saturday, June 20, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Henderson A. Johnson Gymnasium at Fisk University.

Activities include:

• Health information presentations and exhibits
• Health screenings
• Affordable healthcare information
• Voter registration

This event is sponsored by Dr. William Head and The Boyz Incorporated and co-sponsored by Metropolitan Interdenominational Church. For more information, contact theboyzatyourservice@yahoo.com.

“In 1998, Viagra was not only approved, but fast tracked through the process in 6 months despite potential life threatening side effects. Since that date, 26 medications have been approved that can enhance men’s sexual functioning (many of them also fast tracked) but EVERY SINGLE medication proposed for women has been denied. WOMEN HAVE 0 MEDICATIONS to treat comparable conditions. This is not about a specific pill but gender equality and unbiased consideration for women’s medical treatment,” writes Faught.

To watch the full testimony, check out this video .

Prostatitis is a general term that describes the inflammation of the prostate gland. As a result of inflammation, men may experience painful urination and ejaculation, and/or increased urgency and frequency of urination. Without treatment these symptoms may become chronic and recurring, so it is important to speak with a doctor when symptoms are present.

In some cases, prostatitis may be the result of a bacterial infection, though there may be other causes such as parasites, chemical irritation, or nerve damage in the lower urinary tract. An estimated 50% of men will experience prostatitis in their lifetimes, and this condition is a leading cause of visits to the urologist among young and middle-aged men.

Under the care of Urology Associates P.C., you can find treatment for your prostate-related symptoms along with treatment for a number of other conditions affecting the genitourinary system. You can schedule a consultation with any member of our team of 34 Nashville urologists listed on our website or at (888) 329-7700.