Panama City Region Patient Newsletter – May 2025

NEW! Pelvic Floor Therapy Can Restore Quality of Life

Many people suffer from problems with their pelvic floor, yet they aren’t sure where to turn. Our new Pelvic Floor Therapy Program will provide the treatment you need to restore quality of life. Led by Savina Patheja, PT, DPT, this program will be especially helpful if you’re suffering from incontinence or pelvic pain.

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, call us to find the help you need:

• Constipation
• Fecal incontinence
• Interstitial cystitis
• Overactive bladder
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Pelvic pain
• Postpartum pain
• Radiation/post-surgery pain
• SIJ/low back pain
• Urinary incontinence
• Urinary urgency and frequency

Although pelvic floor issues are more common in women, both men and women can experience them. To make an appointment with Dr. Patheja at our Panama City office, call: (850) 785-8557.

FASTER CHECK-OUT PROCEDURE: No more waiting in line

We understand you’re anxious to leave the office once your appointment has ended. This new check-out procedure in our Panama City office will get you out the door more quickly. It’s been in place at Tallahassee for years and working beautifully!

Once your appointment concludes and you’re fully clothed, a representative will step into your room to take care of check-out procedures and will book any follow-up appointments you may need.

Faster out-the-door and no more waiting in line!

WE HEARD YOU!

Thank you for your patience as we upgraded our phone answering workflow. Our amazing team, pictured here, aims for a wait time of 30 seconds or less. We appreciate your patience as we reworked our phone system in Panama City.

NEW WEBSITE: Your go-to urology resource

If you have a condition you want to know more about, or think you need to see a urologist, our new website is your go-to source. It’s easy to navigate and is packed with information to keep you healthy and help you prepare for your appointment.

WOMEN’S HEALTH MONTH: Important reminders for May

May is Women’s Health Month, and we want to remind women why it’s important to have a urologist on your care team

• Sexual health problems like vaginal dryness, pelvic prolapse, and hormone imbalance are common AND treatable. Yet only 14% of women age 45+ visit their doctor for relief. Don’t be shy. We’re here to help.
• If urinary issues are disrupting your quality of life, you’re not alone. Millions of women experience incontinence, overactive bladder (OAB), and interstitial cystitis (IC), yet these conditions often go undiscussed and untreated. We can help.
• These helpful articles will answer your questions about problems common to women:
  • Overactive Bladder: Find the Treatment that Works for You
  • Not in the Mood? 4 Reasons Female Sex Drive Can Decline
  • Do You Have Kidney Stones? 6 Warning Signs

We treat women every day for the conditions mentioned here. Be extra kind to yourself during Women’s Health Month and get the answers you deserve.

MEN’S HEALTH MONTH: Two important reminders for June

1. This annual test can be lifesaving! Prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in men. Yet when found and treated early, prostate cancer is curable. If you’re age 50 or older, be sure to have an annual PSA test and digital rectal exam. If you’re at high risk, including African American men and men who have a father or brother with prostate cancer, you should be screened beginning at age 40 to 45.
   
   If you’re due for your annual screening, make an appointment with your primary care physician, or find an AUI location near you.
2. Is your body trying to tell you something? If you’re urinating more frequently, find yourself rushing to the bathroom, or occasionally leak urine, pay attention! Your body may be signaling Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). This non-cancerous condition is common in men as you age, due to an enlarged prostate. It’s important to have BPH treated because the enlargement tends to block urine flow in the urethra. Without treatment an eventual loss of bladder function can occur which can become permanent.If your body is showing signs of BPH, talk to your urologist. We treat BPH every day and if an examination indicates you need treatment, we’ll carefully review your options with you to restore your quality of life.

Panama City Office: (850) 785-8557

Dr. Karaman & AUI Named Center of Excellence

Umar Karaman, MD, of Advanced Urology Institute has been named an InterStim™ Center of Excellence by Medtronic. The distinction is awarded to caregivers who have demonstrated exemplary use of the InterStim™ system and a commitment to patient care for those suffering from symptoms associated with overactive bladder (OAB), fecal incontinence (FI), and non-obstructive urinary retention.

OAB is an extremely common condition, with about 40% of women and 30% of men experiencing symptoms of OAB. We are pleased to have experts like Dr. Karaman dedicated to perfecting treatment options for our patients.