Do You Have Kidney Stones? 6 Warning Signs

There’s good reason Florida counted 300,000 new residents in 2023. With 237 sunny days a year and consistently warm temperatures, we have an ideal playground all year long. But those sunny days can also contribute to one of the most common causes of kidney stones: dehydration.

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Do You Have Occasional ED? Don’t Panic. Here’s What You Should Know

By: Jonathan Beilan, M.D.

The state of Florida has the fifth-oldest population in the country, with a median age of 42. So, it might not surprise you that Florida outpaces all other southern states when it comes to filling prescriptions for erectile dysfunction (ED).

What might surprise you is that a good number of these prescriptions are probably for men at the median age mark, 42, or younger. This is because an estimated 43% of all men experience ED at one time or another, regardless of age.

If you are among those experiencing occasional ED, you too can find treatment, and not just through medication.

The Reasons Behind Occasional Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is the inability of the penis to become hard enough for intercourse, or difficulty with maintaining this rigidity for satisfactory sexual activity. Typically, ED is due to a lack of blood flow to the penis or damaged penile tissue. It is the most common sexual problem men report, affecting nearly 30 million men – many of whom experience it on a temporary or circumstantial basis, not necessarily chronically.

Still, even occasional ED could signal the onset of an underlying condition, including:

  • Diabetes – High glucose can narrow blood vessels and slow circulation. Nearly 11 million adult U.S. men have diabetes, and 35% to 50% are impotent. Furthermore, diabetic patients are less likely to receive meaningful benefit from oral ED medications such as Sildenafil or Tadalafil.
  • Heart disease – Plaque buildup in the arteries weakens blood vessels and blood flow. Erectile dysfunction can be a key indicator of heart disease.
  • Kidney disease – Your kidneys remove waste from the bloodstream, regulate blood pressure, and produce hormones. Therefore, kidney problems can threaten blood vessels, nerve function, and hormone levels.
  • Prostate conditions – Certain treatments prescribed for an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer, such as anti-testosterone drugs and chemotherapy, can have side effects that can contribute to ED.
  • Peyronie’s disease – This condition results from a buildup of scar tissue inside the penis, and causes curvature that can make an erections difficult and painful.
  • Low testosterone ­– Declining levels of this sexual hormone can result in reduced sexual drive and make erections more difficult.

What You Can Do If You Have Circumstantial ED

Even men in perfect health can experience ED. Emotional and psychological factors including stress, exhaustion, anxiety, and depression are associated with 10% to 20% of ED-related cases. This figure may be higher in younger, healthy populations.

If you experience one or more of these conditions, ask your doctor about talking to a therapist.

Also note that alcohol, smoking, and/or recreational drug use can also raise the risk of ED, even at a young age. If you regularly participate in these activities, hold off for a time to see if your erection improves.

How to Treat Time-to-Time ED: Your Options

If you experience occasional ED and don’t know why, talk to your doctor to determine if it’s the result of an underlying health issue or the side effect of a medication. Then you can choose a treatment option. Among them:

  • Oral medications – Viagra, Levitra, Cialis, and other drugs can improve blood flow to the penis.
  • Inserted drug therapies  Medications also can be self-injected directly into the base or side of the penis or inserted into the tip of the penis in the form of a small suppository. These drugs expand blood vessels to enhance blood flow on an as-needed basis.
  • Vacuum pumps – These hand-powered devices draw blood into the penis so it becomes erect.
  • Surgical therapy – penile protheses have been around since the early 1970’s and are an excellent option for men with moderate to severe ED. The erection still feels natural and the surgery doesn’t affect urination or ejaculation.
  • Low intensity shockwave therapy – This new approach uses a wand-like device to apply gentle pulses of sound waves outside the penis, stimulating the tissue and blood flow. However, use caution when considering this treatment as it’s still considered experimental by most U.S.-based guidelines and not fit for all patients. Patients should speak to a sexual health expert to see if this treatment option is right for them.

When In Doubt, See Your Doctor

If you experience ED, consult with a urologist specializing in sexual health. Whether you experience occasional or chronic ED, we have these conversations every day and are comfortable discussing them with patients. Remember: Treatment options are available, don’t suffer in silence!

Erectile dysfunction is a healthcare issue that should be talked about practically. To consult one of our physicians to diagnose the cause and suggest treatments, you can find an AUI office near you and request an appointment here.

BPH Treatments: Many Roads to Relief

By: Matthew Truesdale, MD, FACS

As men age, their prostate grows and they’re more likely to experience benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – or an enlarged prostate. The prostate is a small gland that helps make ejaculate fluid. If the prostate grows too large, it can block the flow of urine out of the bladder. 

BPH is one of the leading reasons men visit a urologist – 50% of all men experience symptoms from an enlarged prostate by age 60. 

Waking up multiple times at night to go to the bathroom is one of the most common symptoms men describe. An enlarged prostate can also lead to difficulties urinating, such as a weak stream, having a stream that starts and stops, leakage, and the inability to completely empty the bladder. 

Is it BPH?

If you suspect you have BPH, visit your urologist. It is essential for men experiencing BPH symptoms to seek medical advice from a urologist to rule out prostate cancer and prevent other conditions from developing.

While BPH itself is not cancerous, it can cause other health issues if left untreated, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, or urinary retention.

A urologist can put you on the path to wellness through a few simple tests and completing an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).

Many Paths to Relief

There are many different paths to try for relief of BPH symptoms. If one path doesn’t work, don’t give up! 

A first step might be conservative or lifestyle modifications, including:

  • Limiting beverages in the evening
  • Limiting your caffeine and alcohol consumption
  • Avoiding bladder-irritating foods
  • Avoiding certain over-the-counter medications
  • Changing your bathroom patterns

Another option is medication to relax the muscles lining the urethra in the prostate to open the channel and allow urine to flow better. 

There are also many office-based and surgical options. Each method is minimally invasive and has its unique benefits. The UroLift® System, for example, uses a revolutionary approach to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue so it no longer blocks the urethra. 

The Optilume® BPH Catheter System uses a drug-coated balloon inserted through the urethra into the prostate to release a safe and proven drug into the prostate. 

Other surgical options remove the inside part of the prostate gland entirely using a variety of methods, from traditional surgery to laser vaporization and waterjet ablation. 

Patient Navigators

With so many ways to treat BPH, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. At AUI, specialized providers are here to help you understand your diagnosis, discuss your treatment options, and help you relieve your symptoms of BPH.

Learn more about BPH, including its causes, risk factors, and treatment options. Find an AUI office near you