Answers to Your Questions About Urology

Urologists are medical doctors who have completed four years of medical school and at least two years of general surgical training, followed by four years of specialty training in urologic surgery.

Absolutely, we are urologic specialists who see patients from all over Florida, the United States and even internationally.  We are happy to render a second opinion regarding any therapy you are considering.

1. Drink lots of water prior to your visit as we need a full bladder so that a urine specimen can be analyzed.
2. Patient registration forms – Click here for Patient Forms
   • New patient registration form
   • Medical release form
   • Health questionnaire
3. List of current prescriptions including dose and frequency
4. All over the counter medications
5. Driver’s license or state issued identification card
6. Primary and secondary insurance cards
7. A friend or family member to take notes / help with questions, if needed
8. A list of your questions /concerns/ past medical history and surgeries
9. A copy of your XRAYS / CT scans (not just the reports – please get the actual CD with films)
10. Recent blood test results, if you have them

Urination frequency varies widely, but most healthy people use the bathroom four to eight times a day. More frequent urination or waking up at night to go to the bathroom may signal a health problem or simply that you’re drinking too much before or at bedtime.

The best way to avoid urological problems is to maintain good overall health habits, including exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding tobacco, excessive alcohol and caffeine. You should also avoid foods or substances that remove water from the body, known as diuretics.

No one knows for certain. Men with a father or brother with prostate cancer diagnosed prior to age 64 have a three times greater risk than men in general.

Men in this category should begin screening at age 40. In addition, there are links between diets rich in saturated fats and an increased incidence of prostate cancer, but this evidence is not conclusive.

No, although after skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common kind of cancer in American men.

Scientists have found no known cause for prostate cancer. Nonetheless, common sense says to maintain good dietary and exercise habits, which in turn keep weight down.

Eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables and limiting the number of calories from saturated fats is always a good idea for minimizing all health risks. Some studies have suggested that prostate cancer risk may be reduced by consuming zinc, soy and lycopene. Peanuts are a good source of selenium, and cooked tomatoes are an easily consumed source of lycopene.

One reason that screening for prostate cancer is so important as a man ages is that localized and curable prostate cancer has no symptoms. A decrease in the force of the urinary stream or other voiding issues is most likely due to BPH than prostate cancer.

For men with localized prostate cancer and some urination problems, the explanation is that BPH is occurring coincidentally with the prostate cancer.

Men with advanced prostate cancer, however, may have similar symptoms as men with BPH, including blood in the urine, painful urination, and a decreased urinary flow. Fortunately, with today’s emphasis on screening and early detection, more than nine in ten prostate cancers are found in potentially curable stages.

No, they are separate disease processes. BPH occurs in the center of the prostate gland known as the transition zone. The overwhelming majority of prostate cancers occur in the outside part of the prostate adjacent to the rectum, an area known as the peripheral zone.

A change in the normal balance of water salts, mineral and other components in urine creates a process known as urolithiasis in which solid mineral particles cluster in the kidneys. There are different types of stones, including calcium oxalate, uric acid, ammonic magnesium and cystine.

Yes, such a tendency may be inherited. If others in your family have had them, you may be more prone to them, too.

Drink lots of water with freshly squeezed lemon juice. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which not only inhibits stone formation but also breaks up small stones just beginning to form. Generally, the more citric acid in your urine, the more protected you are against forming new kidney stones.

The most common cause of stones is an insufficient daily water intake. The goal should be to drink enough to keep your urine clear about eight to ten glasses per day.

In addition, studies have indicated that staying physically fit and keeping your weight in check can help as well.

Yes, levels of calcium, protein, sodium, vitamins C and D, and oxalate-rich foods (dark vegetables, chocolate, nuts, cranberries and coffee and tea, for example) can increase the chances of stones.

In general, it’s a good idea to eat less salt and talk to a doctor or dietitian about how much calcium you need daily.

If you have had an oxalate kidney stone, you should probably consume fewer oxalate-rich foods. In addition to the ones above, others include spinach, colas, peanuts, beets, rhubarb, berries, beans, tofu, oranges, and sweet potatoes.

We’re happy to provide you with a packet of information that describes the procedure in detail.

The non-scalpel vasectomy has become very popular in the U.S. because of the decreased discomfort that men experience with this particular technique

Viagra®, Levitra® and Cialis® are effective and safe oral agents for appropriate candidates. For example, men with a history of cardiovascular disease and especially men who are currently taking agents from the nitroglycerine family are not candidates for treatment with this class of drugs.

Yes. The vacuum constriction device is another excellent non-surgical treatment option. This system uses a plastic cylinder that is placed over the penis; a small pump is then used to create negative pressure, which acts to “pull” blood into the penis producing an erection.

A rubber band is then applied to the base of the penis, so that blood is trapped in the erect penis to sustain the erection until the band is removed.

Penile implant surgery is always an option for men who aren’t happy with other treatments. We can do most penile implant procedures on an outpatient basis with a relatively short recovery period.

Caverject® is one popular form of treatment. The therapy involves medication that is directly injected into the penis to produce an erection.

No. It is true urinary incontinence is common. However, it is not normal or expected. And women certainly don’t have to live with it.

This is a quality of life issue and the answer depends on the individual. Some women are severely affected by relatively small amounts of leakage. Other women don’t mind wearing a panty-liner.

For simple urinary incontinence, our treatments are so minimally invasive and patient satisfaction is so high that we generally encourage to woman to seek treatment if they are bothered by their bladder symptoms.

Every patient recovers differently. In general, minimally invasive surgeries of today are very well tolerated.