Urology Associates is happy to announce that our very own Vikki Pedigo will be participating in a webinar with Pearl Point Cancer Support.

Women’s reproductive cancers and treatment may cause side effects including fatigue, sexual dysfunction, and digestive issues. Join Vikki F. Pedigo, MSN, WHNP-BC, Nurse Practitioner at the Women’s Institute for Sexual Health in Nashville, TN to explore strategies and techniques to help you manage the side effects of reproductive cancers. Margaret Martin RD, MS, LDN, CDE Nutrition Educator at PearlPoint Cancer Support will also provide tips and suggestions for controlling digestive issues, combating fatigue, and maintaining a healthier weight.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, August 19 ^th from 11:00am-12:00pm Central time anyone who wants to listen in can register by clicking the link below.

Register for Webinar

Kidney cancer accounts for approximately 3% of all adult cancers in the United States. This number may seem insignificant on its own, but when you consider that it translates to approximately 32,000 new cancer cases annually the number doesn’t seem so small. Kidney cancer claims about 12,000 lives each year, most of whom are men between the ages of 50 and 70. Although we don’t yet know what causes kidney cancer, we do recognize that certain risk factors are linked to an elevated risk for developing the disease. If you can positively identify any of these kidney cancer risk factors, schedule a screening with a urologist in Nashville .

Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits
Certain lifestyle habits that might be considered unhealthy have shown a causal link with kidney cancer. Smoking, for example, increases the risk of getting kidney cancer. People who are overweight and have a poor diet are also at a higher risk of getting kidney cancer . You might also be at risk if you are regularly exposed to certain chemicals that increase the risk for kidney cancer, including cadmium, herbicides, and certain organic solvents.

Inherited Conditions
Kidney cancer can sometimes be caused by one of six rare inherited conditions. Although people who have these conditions account for only a small portion of total kidney cancer patients overall, people who have these conditions have a much higher risk for developing kidney cancer compared to others. These inherited conditions are:

• Birt-Hogg-Dube syndrome
• Family renal cancer
• Hereditary papillary renal cell carcinoma
• Hereditary leiomyoma-renal cell carcinoma
• Hereditary renal oncocytoma
• Von Hippel-Lindau disease

Certain Medications
Phenacetin, a once popular pain-reliever, has been linked to kidney cancer but has not been prescribed in the United States for over 20 years. Today there are certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure that have been linked to an elevated risk of kidney cancer, though it’s not clear whether the link is related to the medication or the high blood pressure. Ask your doctor if any of the medication you are on has been shown to elevate one’s risk for kidney cancer.

If you are worried that you might be at risk for kidney cancer, visit Urology Associates P.C. for a cancer screening. We are the leader in urological care in Nashville and throughout Tennessee. If you are diagnosed with kidney cancer, we provide the most advanced and aggressive kidney cancer treatment to help you recover. Call us toll-free at (888) 329-7700 to find a urologist in your area.

Although erectile dysfunction is a very serious condition, the perception of ED is made worse thanks to myths and misinformation floating around on the internet. The first thing to know about ED is that while it is common, it is not a normal part of aging and almost every case of ED is treatable. It is also important to know that erectile dysfunction is not caused solely by low libido. There are numerous risk factors that contribute to ED, many of which are manageable. These risk factors include:

• Tobacco use
• Drug and alcohol use
• Being overweight
• Psychological conditions (stress, anxiety, depression, etc.)
• Certain medical treatments
• Certain medical conditions
• Injuries to the nerves or arteries that control erections

The ED specialists here at Urology Associates P.C. in Tennessee will tailor treatment plans to address the specific issues that are interfering with your ability to achieve or maintain an erection. Our team of experienced urologists appreciate your need for compassion and discretion while you seek treatment for ED. For additional information, call us at (888) 329-7700.

Bladder cancer accounts for about 90% of all cancers of the urinary tract, and transitional cell carcinoma makes up about 90% of all bladder cancers. According to the American Cancer Society, about 75,000 new cases of bladder cancer have been diagnosed so far in 2015. The good news is that the long-term prognosis for people who have bladder cancer is better today than ever before. This brief article touches on bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment, and explains how to set up a bladder cancer screening with a urologist in Nashville.

Bladder Cancer Symptoms

Before a doctor can examine you for bladder cancer, you must first exhibit or recognize one of the symptoms of bladder cancer in order to seek a diagnosis. The most common symptoms of bladder cancer include blood or blood clots in the urine, chronic pain during urination, urinating small amounts frequently, and a frequent occurrence of urinary tract infections. Symptoms of more advanced cancer include pain in the lower back around the kidneys and a growth in the pelvis area near the bladder.

Diagnosing Bladder Cancer

The first thing your doctor will do is perform a physical exam and ask questions regarding your lifestyle, exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, and family history of cancer. A urologist will collect a urine sample to check for the presence of blood, infection, and other abnormal cells that indicate bladder cancer. If the urologist has any cause for concern, he or she will perform a cystoscopy to look at your bladder using a thin, lighted tube and take biopsies of abnormal areas to test for cancer cells or tumor markers. If cancer cells are detected, various tests will be performed to classify the stage and grade of the bladder cancer.

Treating Bladder Cancer

Treatment for bladder cancer depends on the stage and grade of the cancer, as well as your age, overall health, and quality of life. Treatment options for bladder cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Bladder cancer prognosis is highest for people who get treated early, so don’t hesitate to get screened if you notice any of the symptoms of bladder cancer.

You can count on the experienced urologist at Urology Associates P.C. to answer all of your questions regarding bladder cancer diagnosis and treatment . Contact us online or call us at (888) 329-7700 to schedule a bladder cancer screening in Nashville or to learn about your bladder cancer treatment options in Tennessee if you have already been diagnosed with the disease.

Kidney stone disease is a common problem treated by urologists in Tennessee, affecting about one in eight people. However, treating kidney stones is much more difficult than preventing kidney stones in the first place. This video from Urology Associates P.C. discusses the disease, as well as providing tips for preventing kidney stones.

If you believe you are suffering from kidney stones, contact the experts at Urology Associates P.C. We are Nashville’s leading urological care provider, with more than 75 years of experience and more than 30 urologists who treat patients at our various locations throughout Tennessee. Contact us online or call us at (888) 329-7700 to schedule a kidney stone screening with one of our experienced urologists. We also invite you to check out our website to learn more about the conditions we treat and the specialty services we provide, including the only free-standing urology surgery center in Middle Tennessee .

Brooke Faught, MSN, WHNP-BC, IF, is the clinical director of the Women’s Institute for Sexual Health , WISH, at Urology Associates P.C. located in Nashville, Tennessee. Brooke Faught, a board member of the National Associates of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) and fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), helped organize and was a keynote speaker at this years’ Women’s Sexual Health Course in Orlando. The course was co-sponsored by NPWH and ISSWSH, and was dedicated to furthering the understandings of female sexual problems.

Brooke Faught lobbied alongside her colleague, Vikki Pedigo, MSN, WHNP-BC, on Capitol Hill and testified in front of the FDA in June 2015 on behalf of gender equality which aided in the landmark decision to approve the first ever medication, Flibanserin, to treat Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder for women.

The various afflictions for female patients is becoming more prominent in the medical field as more women speak out about their ailments. New diagnostic and management strategies are becoming available to medical professionals and the Women’s Sexual Health Course allows them to gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and professionalism required for excellence in the practice of sexual medicine.

The Women’s Sexual Health Course reached attendance capacity months in advance of the meeting date, and had 50 members on the waiting list. The NPWH and ISSWSH foundations are looking to expand the WSHC courses to twice annually to better accommodate all of those interested in learning more about helping women fight against sexual disorders.

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.