According to Dr. Mark Allen, a Plano, Texas urologist, many people will suffer from a urinary tract infection, or a UTI, at some point in their life. It’s one of the most common reasons why teenagers visit a doctor in a given year. If you have not suffered from this type of infection then count yourself among the blessed few. Urinary tract infections are among the most common infections found in adults and are most commonly caused by bacteria. Seeking a cure for a UTI once symptoms appear is necessary so that the infection does not turn in to a larger problem.

The urethra is part of the urinary tract and is the body part in men and women that eliminates liquid waste (urine) from our bodies. Because the urethra is located in the genitals of both men and women, it often comes into contact with fluids that can harbor bacteria. The bacterium that causes the majority of urinary tract infections is E. Coli. E. Coli is most commonly passed through the bowel, but can come into contact with the urethra during sex, or if a woman does not clean herself properly after using the restroom (wiping from the front to the back). Other common causes of urinary tract infections are condom use, diaphragm use, and certain contraceptive pills.

Occasionally a UTI will not be accompanied by symptoms, but when symptoms of a UTI present themselves they are similar to the following:

• A strong, persistent urge to urinate
• A burning sensation when urinating
• The feeling of being unable to empty your bladder
• Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
• Urine that appears cloudy
• Urine that appears bright pink or cola colored — a sign of blood in the urine
• Strong-smelling urine
• Pelvic pain, in women
• Rectal pain, in men

Every time an adult has a UTI, they are at an increased risk of having another and with every recurring UTI the risk for another goes up. The most common reason why an adult may suffer from recurring UTI infections is that they do not follow the full course of antibiotics prescribed by their doctor. Other reasons may be related to bad hygiene, frequent sex, not drinking enough water, or a change in diet.

Occasionally, frequent urinary tract infections are part of a bigger issue. If you are suffering from frequent recurring UTI infections and ongoing symptoms of a UTI, you need to see your doctor. At times a UTI is unaccompanied by symptoms. When this happens the bacterium which causes the infection of the urethra has time to spread to the bladder, and then onto the kidneys. Infections of the bladder and the kidneys are more severe and require a different type of medication. If you are being treated for a UTI but it recurs time and again, you need to speak with your doctor about cystoscopy to observe the bladder and kidneys and eliminate the concern of a bigger issue. Another cause of recurrent infections is a urologic abnormality. If the urethra is obstructed by anything such as a catheter, kidney stone, growth etc, UTI is extremely common and may be a result of the obstruction.

Symptoms associated with an infection of the kidneys and/or bladder will be more severe than symptoms of a UTI.  They will include:

• Upper back and side (flank) pain
• High fever
• Shaking and chills
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Pelvic pressure
• Lower abdomen discomfort
• Frequent, painful urination
• Blood in urine
• Burning with urination

If you have never suffered from a urinary tract infection, or if you have and want to prevent it from recurring, the following tips have proven to lessen the possibility of infection:

• Urinating shortly following sexual activity (Men and Women)
• Properly wiping after using the restroom (from the front to the back)
• Prompt removal of diaphragm or condom after sexual activity
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Wearing cotton underwear and avoiding materials that do not allow the genitals to breath

If you feel like you may be suffering from a urinary tract infection you may try a number of home remedies, but a rule of thumb is to see your doctor the moment you feel pain, discomfort, or have concerns.  The cure for a UTI is often an antibiotic.  In order for this cure for a UTI to be effective, the medicine should be taken according to the prescription and not stopped halfway through treatment.

DALLAS, Tx. (Dec. 1, 2011) — Dr. Mark Allen, MD, a urologist in Plano, Texas, was recently selected as a Dallas Top Doctor by D Magazine.  The D Magazine “Best Doctors in Dallas 2011” is a renowned selection of physicians and pediatricians in the greater Dallas area who are chosen based on a peer-review voting process.  Dr. Allen was chosen because of his uniquely innovative treatment approach into specific urological disorders and conditions.  He was one of the first pioneers in the North Dallas area to offer the robotic prostatectomy for prostate cancer treatment.

In the 2011 survey, more than 1,600 doctors voted for peers in selected categories. Texas medical license numbers were used to validate each physician and the final tallied list was presented to an esteemed group of physicians and specialists.  Doctors who make the cut generally have been discussed numerous times by other doctors and are well regarded in the medical community by both physicians and patients.

Dr. Allen is a board certified urologist who graduated with the highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin. He later earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical School at San Antonio.  His surgical skills in the field of urology and his passion for advancing the specialty with new treatment techniques put him in the top percent of doctors in the US News and World Report for research quality.

Several innovative procedures not offered by all urologists include penile implants and penile prosthesis devices to assist men with erectile dysfunction. He is notably one of the most skilled urologists in Dallas offering this service.  He also specializes in all areas of urinary incontinence for men and incontinence in women and offers a variety of treatment techniques including the InterStim stimulator device and various sling procedures.  Dr. Allen routinely performs complex urogynecological reconstruction procedures in women and treats a variety of urology-related cancers.

Perhaps his most notable contribution to the urology field of medicine is his specialization of treatment into specific urological cancers of the bladder, kidneys and prostate.  Dr. Allen is an expert in each of these cancers and offers robotic surgery as a treatment option to reduce the side effects associated with surgery as well as maximize the outcomes for each of his patients.

The D Magazine top doctors list is designed each year with the patient in mind. Specialties in which the patient has little or no say are often not included (including pathology and anesthesiology).  The voting panel and D Magazine staff members review the results carefully and chose each finalist based on the number of votes that are received for each specialty.

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The percentage of men that suffer from Urinary Incontinence is estimated to be lower than the percentage of women who suffer from it, but it is as equally serious and embarrassing for both. Urinary Incontinence is the accidental leakage of urine. It is a condition that plagues men and women of all ages, but is most likely to begin occurring later in life. There are different reasons why a man may become incontinent, it could be situational or constant, but it does not have to be permanent.

Below is a list of the different types of Urinary Incontinence:

Stress Incontinence—This involuntary loss of urine occurs during an event that causes stress upon the body, through abdominal pressure. Examples of this are heavy lifting, running, jumping, sneezing and coughing.

Urge Incontinence- This is the involuntary loss of urine while trying to “hold it.” When a person has urge incontinence, the feeling of having to urinate is present, but the ability to effectively hold it is lost.

Overflow Incontinence- This involuntary, constant loss of urine, associated with “going” frequently, usually occurs often throughout the day and in small amounts.

All of these types of incontinence can be caused by a myriad of conditions that can lead to a medical diagnosis that will explain a man’s struggle with Urinary Incontinence.  Among the most common are:

• Diseases which may have caused nerve damage such as diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.
• Stroke
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate
• Cancer Treatment such as a Prostatectomy
• Cancer Treatment External Beam Radiation

If you are a man suffering from Urinary Incontinence, your first step is to see your Urologist. He or she will take you through a list of diagnostic tests to determine the cause of your problem. From here, he or she will be able to decide your best option for treatment. There is a list of treatments for urinary incontinence, and no reason why you must suffer from it for the rest of your life.

Conservative Urinary Incontinence Treatment For Men

Most doctors will begin with the most simple and least invasive procedures, such as discussions about planning your trips to the bathroom and psychotherapy. The next step may be a discussion about medication. There are a handful of medications on the market that have been found to be helpful in more severe cases of Urinary Incontinence.

If the less invasive and more conservative approach doesn’t fit with your situation, there are surgical procedures that can help. The surgery most commonly performed in the event of Urinary Incontinence is the placement of an Artificial Sphincter.  As is shown in the picture, this includes the use of a cuff, a pressure-regulating balloon, and a pump (located in the scrotum), which work together to prevent urine from leaking until you are ready to do so. When ready, you manually maneuver the pump which then allows urine to be drained from the bladder.

Other Urinary Incontinence Treatment for Men Include:

Male Swing: In this procedure, a piece of mesh cloth is used to lift the bladder so that Urine cannot escape until the male consciously chooses to relieve himself.

Urinary Diversion: If bladder must be removed because of nerve damage, or cancer, an artificial bladder may be created, and a Urinary Diversion used. The Urinary organs are replaced with others that can drain urine into a stoma, or a catheter.

Urinary Incontinence is inevitably embarrassing though it is as serious, and unavoidable a problem as most other diseases. You do not have to live with Urinary Incontinence forever. Make an appointment with your Urologist today, and look forward to a future without worry.

Each year, more than half a million people will visit an ER with a painful kidney stone.  Dr. Mark Allen, a Plano, Texas urologist (http://northtexasurologist.com) was interviewed for this article to shed some light on kidney stones and treatment options that are available today. This Q and A was designed as an informative document to help in the awareness and treatment, and prevention of Kidney Stones.

This Kidney Stone represents the hard mass of crystals that formulate the stone

A kidney stone is a crystallized mass caught within the urinary tract. When the chemicals found in urine are not strong enough to dissolve the stones they cannot pass through and out of the urinary tract causing a blockage and extreme pain for the patient.  In many cases, the stones will eventually pass, but in other cases, medical treatment will be needed in order to break up or remove the stones.

Q: How common are kidney stones?

Kidney stones are relatively common. Approximately 7% of all women and 14% of all men will develop kidney stones. Once an individual has developed a kidney stone they have a 50% chance of recurring stones.

Q: What are the symptoms of kidney stones?

The most common symptoms associated with a kidney stone include pain in the back, and blood in the urine. But other symptoms may include: nausea, fever, and chills, as well as cramping, testicular pain and pain in the abdomen.  Pain associated in the abdomen area is the prominent symptom of a kidney stone. It is a very distinct pain. Once a person has a kidney stone for the first time, they can easily recognize the pain each time the condition reoccurs.

Q: Who gets kidney stones?

Caucasian men are at the highest risk of getting kidney stones. This risk increases greatly between the ages of 40 and 70. Women can also get kidney stones but are at a decreased risk. Women over the age of 50 will be at a higher risk.  It is extremely common for children to also get kidney stones.  There is an increase in the United States of children getting kidney stones; diet and food/liquid in-take are the primary causes as many kids do not drink enough water and are eating foods that are high in salt and sugar.

Q: What treatment for kidney stones are available?

Most commonly a patient should be able to pass the stones by increasing their intake of fluids, but if this does not prove beneficial there are other medical options to help a patient pass their stones. If a stone does not, in fact, pass on its own, the following treatments can be applied:

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL for kidney stones), the Ureteroscopy Procedure and Percutaneous Nepheostolithotomy.

• ESWL stands for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy. ESWL for kidney stones is a high intensity acoustic pulse, sent from the outside of the body to the inside, used to break up the stone. Through the process the stones are broken down into smaller particles and can then be easily passed through the urinary stream. This is a non-invasive procedure that has time and time again proven productive. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy is one of the most frequently and widely used urological procedures to treat kidney stones. ESWL for kidney stones should be discussed with your urologist to see if it is the appropriate treatment for your specific kidney stone condition.

• Another minimally invasive procedure that is effective in eradicating kidney stones is a Ureteroscopy. During a Ureteroscopy procedure, incisions are not needed. Instead, a tiny scope is entered into the urethra and passed through to the bladder. If the stone is small it will gently be extracted through the end of the scope. If it is larger, then a laser may be required to dissolve the stone. The Ureteroscopy procedure varies according to the size of the stone and the severity of the pain.
  

  Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL for kidney stones) is a high intensity acoustic pulse, sent from the outside of the body to the inside, used to break up kidney stones.

• Finally, when all else kidney stone treatments have failed, a Percutaneous Nepheostolithotomy can be performed to remove a large kidney stone. This is treatment for kidney stones is a surgery performed in the hospital in which an incision is made in the back and then special instruments are used to enter the kidney removing the stones. A catheter is necessary to drain the bladder during recovery, until the incision has healed. This surgery is used for large kidney stones, or when a kidney stone has caused an infection.

Q: If I have a family history of kidney stones, does that mean I am likely to get them?

There is statistical evidence to suggest that kidney stones are genetic—but if they run in you family, it does not necessarily mean you will get them. Certain factors such as age, diet, lifestyle, smoking, etc. can make the occurrence more or less likely.

Q: If I’ve had kidney stones before, what can I do to prevent them from reoccurring?

Have a metabolic workup. A metabolic workup is a study of the factors that likely caused your kidney stones and will likely cause a reoccurrence. In this study the kidney stone, your diet, urine samples, and overall health are studied to determine the factors that will most likely cause another stone. This is of utmost importance. Statistics show that 70% of people who choose not to have a metabolic workup receive another stone in 5 to 10 years.

The severity of kidney stones varies from one person to another, but is always a plague to the recipient. If you believe you have a kidney stone, it is important to see your doctor immediately. You may be able to pass the stone yourself, but many options do exist for the treatment for kidney stones. The best way to prevent kidney stones is to maintain a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.

Dr. Mark Allen, MD, a Plano, Texas Urologist, assisted in this interview with *John, a patient of his North Texas urology practice.  (*Patient names have been changed for privacy reasons).

John was a newlywed in his late-twenties with an excellent career, a new home, a wife and many dreams. He and his wife had begun discussing the prospects of having a child, and had decided to begin and maintain a healthy lifestyle before they tried to conceive.

About a week into their new workout routine John realized that the soreness had died down from all parts of his body except for one. He still felt sore and had a swollen testicle. Concerned and uncomfortable he decided to see his physician who referred him to a urologist who ran a series of tests, including an ultrasound of his scrotum and a pelvic x-ray.  What the doctor found greatly surprised John. He had Testicular Cancer.  John had so many questions. He began with, “But I’m too young for cancer, how did this happen?”

The truth, is that testicular cancer is in fact most common in men between the ages of 15-35. White men are at the highest risk of getting this disease and while the exact cause is unknown, there are certain risk factors. The risk factors for getting testicular cancer include a history of testicular cancer, a history of an undescended testicle, a family history of the disease, HIV infections, and body size. Certain studies have indicated that taller, larger men at more at risk.

Testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer. This was very good news to John, and the more than 8,000 other men who are diagnosed with this disease each year. The risk of dying from testicular cancer is relatively low.  However, as with all cancers, it is important to catch it early so that treatment can be implemented.

Testicular cancer may not show any symptoms in the early stages. The most common symptoms that will appear will include a pain in the lower back and in the abdomen, a heavy feeling in the scrotum, a swollen testicle and/or a lump in one or both of the testicles. Most often, a lump is what signals the cancer. Many men also complain about pain and soreness in the testicular region.

As the Urologist did in John’s case, tests will be run to determine the stage of the cancer.  There are several stages to consider:

• Stage 1:  The cancer has not spread outside of the testicle.
• Stage 2:  The cancer has spread throughout the scrotum and into the lymph nodes in the lower abdomen.
• Stage 3:  The cancer has gone beyond the lymph nodes and could possibly spread to the liver, kidney, bladder or lungs.

Because John saw a doctor as soon as he realized something was not right, he was found to only be in Stage 1 of the cancer, and was able to receive treatment for testicular cancer and hopefully prevent any future cancer.  Treatment for testicular cancer includes:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation Therapy
• Surgical removal of a testicle, or both if necessary
• Removal of the infected lymph nodes

Today, John and his wife are the proud parents of two children and he recently made it to the 6-year cancer free mark.  John continues to support cancer awareness groups and urges everyone he knows to “know your body,” and that “prevention is the best cure.” John gets asked often how he was able to conceive two children after losing a testicle.   His urologist, Dr. Mark Allen, MD of Plano, Texas offers the following answer.

“When a testicle is removed, your sperm count only dwindles for a short period of time.  Eventually the other testicle will produce double-time, returning your sperm count to normal, and making your chances of conceiving naturally just as normal as the next guy. But if you are concerned about conceiving a child once you have beat your cancer, you should talk to your doctor about the options that are available. There are other methods and ways to conceive with your partner,” says Dr. Allen.

The surest way to beat testicular cancer is to be tested when you feel something is different; A swollen testicle, a lump or pain in the testicle region should be looked at by a professional. Survival rates have never fallen below 72%, this is due to early detection and new medical breakthroughs in treating the disease.

Prostate cancer is cancer that begins in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is not commonly found in men less than 40 years of age, though it is not altogether impossible. Prostate cancer can strike any male for a number of varying reasons. Men who have had prostate problems in the past, who have a family history of the disease, and those who have poor dietary habits and who abuse alcohol may be at a higher risk.

The symptoms of prostate cancer appear differently from one victim to another. But symptoms that are most alarming, and may directly relate to the onset of prostate cancer is blood found in the urine and a burning pain while urinating.

When the above symptoms occur it is important to see your urologist. He will most likely biopsy the tissue from the prostate gland and report the results of the test via the Gleason grade. If the Gleason grade proves to be above the number 2, then it will be time to consider prostate cancer treatments. Different prostate cancer treatments are performed for different age groups and different stages of the disease. But common prostate cancer treatments include:

• Radiation Therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Hormonal Therapy
• Surgery

Surgery is the preferred prostate cancer  treatment because it removes the cancer from the body by removing the prostate (either all or parts of it). There are two types of surgeries performed for prostate cancer, in both the prostate is completely removed in the early stages of the diagnosis to prevent further complications or the spread of the cancer into other regions, radical prostatectomy and robotic prostatectomy. Robotic Prostate surgery has become the favored prostate cancer treatment among urologists and patients.

Robotic prostatectomy is the same surgery as a radical prostatectomy, except that it is robotically-assisted. This surgery is a minimally invasive removal of the prostate.

A urologist will perform the surgery with the help of computerized robotic controlled instruments and high resolution cameras. The tools eliminate the shakiness of the surgeon’s hands and perform the surgery with more preciseness then ever before.

A robotic prostatectomy has been proven to greatly reduce post-op recovery in terms of minimizing pain levels, blood loss, hospital stay, recovery time, and side effects of a radical robotic prostatectomy. This is because unlike the radical prostatectomy the robotic prostatectomy does not require a large incision opening.

In this surgery, a urologist will enter the abdomen of the patient through a few very small incisions. The urologist then guides the robotic small instruments through the holes in the abdomen with a very tight and precise “joystick.” This allows the doctor to turn with 90 degrees of articulation and 7 degrees of freedom. The doctor will remove the prostate gland and the surgery is complete. The small incisions will leave very small circular scars that may completely heal in time.

Experts also agree that another pro to the robotic method is the lack of damage to the bladder and sexual function. A couple of common complaints of a patient who has received a radical prostatectomy are the loss of control over his bladder and the loss of ability to receive or maintain an erection. These side effects and risks are decreased with a robotic prostatectomy.

While the number of men that are diagnosed with prostate every year is increasing, it is important to note that the number of men that will die from the disease decrease every year, thanks to advanced tests, treatment options and education about prostate cancer. It is important to research the symptoms of prostate cancer, but if you think you may be suffering from the symptoms associated with this cancer then you need to see your doctor at your earliest convenience.

According to Dr. Mark Allen (972.612.8037), a urologist in Plano, Texas, “Erectile dysfunction is a problem common in men as they age. It’s a silent problem that doesn’t have to be kept silent. There is treatment for erectile dysfunction and men should explore all of their options before settling on living with a condition they believe is helpless.”

Erectile dysfunction is termed as the inability to obtain or maintain an erection as is necessary for sexual satisfaction, also called impotence. The severity of the dysfunction varies from one man to another. One man may be able to achieve but not maintain an erection while another may not be able to obtain an erection at all. The variety of severity, and under diagnoses due to a man’s embarrassment about the issue make it hard to establish just how common erectile dysfunction is. But keeping these variables in mind, doctors have still estimated that erectile dysfunction affects 30 million men in the United States.

It is possible for erectile dysfunction to affect a man at any age, but it is pretty uncommon among men less than 40 years of age and only 5% of the national average reflects men of this age group. At age 45-50 the statistic jumps to 15%. Erectile dysfunction affects 20% of men 50-55, and 50% of men between 70-80 years of age.

Erectile dysfunction is an issue that occurs commonly as men age, but there are a few medical factors that can cause it to become more severe, or to strike at an earlier age. Urologists state that factors such as lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol intake, obesity, and smoking directly affect the onset and severity of erectile dysfunction.

Regardless of what can be done to ward off the occurrence of erectile dysfunction, in some cases it is inevitable. The first and most important step to battling this issue is to see your urologist. You may be in early enough stages to treat your impotence with medication. Urologists commonly prescribe medication such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis, which are taken orally and may help receive an erection.

If the stage of your impotence is beyond medication then you and your doctor may decide to talk about implant treatment for erectile dysfunction. For patients with moderate to severe erectile dysfunction there is an option to receive a penile prosthesis.

A penile prosthesis is surgically implanted in a careful surgery and has been proven to help a man regain his ability to achieve an erection. There are currently two types of penile prosthesis, the semi-rigid non-inflatable, and the inflatable. The semi-rigid is a series of flexible rods that are surgical implanted to support the penis. With these rods, the man is able to manually place the penis in the upward position for intercourse, or downward for daily activities.  The inflatable prosthesis is more complex, but also more successful. With an inflatable penile prosthesis, a pump filled with liquid is placed inside the scrotum. Then a reservoir is placed inside the penis. When a man is ready to receive an erection his simply squeezes the scrotum, and the liquid is transferred to the reservoir inside the penis which causes an erection. When the man is ready to deflate the erections he presses a release valve which returns the liquid to the pump.

Urologist Dr. Allen has a number of penile prosthesis’ to choose from. After careful consideration the decision is between the two of you to decide which option is the best for you. A few of his most commonly used prosthetics are:

AMS Spectra—This is a non-inflatable penis implant. It is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, single-use implant. It includes a pair of cylinders surgically inserted into the penis which is manually positioned by the male. It is easy to use by the male or the partner. It is totally concealed within the body, and is the easiest surgical option. Its general complaint is that it remains firm no matter the position it is placed in.

AMS Ambicor—A 2-Piece Inflatable penis implant. Consists of a pair of reservoirs implanted in the penis, and a single pump bulb implanted in the scrotum. The pump is compressed to receive an erection, and the erection is bent to deflate the prosthesis. It is totally concealed within the body, and is more natural when flaccid then the non-inflatable implant.

AMS 700 Series—A 3-piece inflatable penis implant available in a variety of sizes and models. It consists of a reservoir that is placed within the abdomen, a pump places inside the scrotum, and a pair of cylinders placed inside the penis. This prosthesis is favored among recipients because it expands the girth of the penis, and it feels most like a natural erection when compared with other implants. It is also favored because when flaccid, it looks and feels most natural.

As with all medical procedures, there are advantages and disadvantages to each of these procedures. Your urologist and yourself are the only ones who can decide which, if any of these procedures are right for. Talk to your doctor today, and look forward to feeling more confident.

I Have Low Testosterone, What Does That Mean?

Dr. Mark Allen, MD, a urologist with North Dallas Urology Associates (http://northtexasurologist.com, 972.612.8037), hears the frustrations and complaints from patients that enter his Plano, TX urology office.  A little probing, and it doesn’t take long for Dr. Allen to diagnose the problem:  Have you recently noticed changes to your physique? Are you struggling with finding the energy to get through your daily routine? Has your sexual desire and stamina reached all time lows? Have you recently noticed that your daily tasks have become difficult to complete and hard to focus on?

If your answers to these questions are yes, and you are a middle-aged man, you may be suffering from Low Testosterone. In many cases, having an open discussion with your doctor about your symptoms can lead to possible treatment options (testosterone replacement).

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is the male hormone that deciphers whether a fetus will have the reproductive organs of a male, or female. While it is the chromosomes of a fetus that decide the sex, it is Testosterone that builds male reproductive organs. Testosterone is released in large amounts in the body of a boy during his pubescent years, and provides him the ability to build muscle, deepen his voice, and creates his sexual desire. Throughout a man’s life it is the regular release of this male hormone that allows a man to maintain these masculine traits. After a male reaches 40 years of age his testosterone begins to decrease by about 3% a year, this is inevitable, and does not affect a man’s physique or lifestyle. An even larger loss of low testosterone in men, however, will cause undesirable side effects.

Low Testosterone in men only affects 1 in every 200 males under 60 years of age. But 20% of men 60 years of age and older suffer from a drastic decrease of these male hormones. Low Testosterone in men has been known to cause such symptoms as: anxiety and mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and a decreased ability to complete everyday intellectual tasks. A man suffering from Low Testosterone may notice weight gain around the lower abdomen or what is commonly referred to as the “beer gut.” When this weight is caused by Low Testosterone, and the male does not receive treatment, he may find it difficult to shed the pounds.

Perhaps the most common complaint among men suffering from Low Testosterone is erectile dysfunction, or the inability to receive and maintain an erection. The male testes produce testosterone, and when they produce a less than normal amount, the male is unable to receive an erection. It is also very common among men with Low Testosterone to complain of little or no sexual desire and/or sexual stamina. Though a loss of pride is not a direct symptom of Low Testosterone, it is no surprise that most men suffering from a loss of these male hormones suffer from this as well. In order to restore your pride, and achieve the successes of years passed, it is important to receive treatment to restore these male hormone levels.

What Causes Low Testosterone in Men?

While it is unavoidable that a man’s Testosterone will begin to decrease in his forties, there are a few things that cause lower than normal levels in men of all ages. Contributors to Low Testosterone are:

• Anti-Depressants/Anti-Psychotics
• Alcoholism
• Chemotherapy, Radiation treatments, and Cancer
• Disease and Illness
• Stress

The first step toward treating your low Testosterone levels is testing the hormones to see if this is indeed the problem. Is it low T? Talk to your doctor about a simple blood test that will provide him the information necessary to treat your Low Testosterone problem. If you would like to test your Testosterone from home, you may purchase a testing kit and do so.  If the test results prove that you are indeed suffering from Low Testosterone, do not be discouraged.

Dr. Mark Allen, MD, of Plano, TX notes that low testosterone levels can be replaced through various types of testosterone replacement therapy. One such therapy is the insertion of testosterone pellets. According to Dr. Allen, “Low testosterone can be treated with the insertion of testosterone pellets. These small, compressed, Tic-Tac sized pellets are injected under the skin (most often in the buttock just below the waistline). It is a very easy procedure and leaves a very minimal scar. The dose varies according to blood levels and other factors. Most patients will see improvement in their symptoms within a few short weeks.”

Low Testosterone does not have to change your life. With the proper testosterone replacement treatment, and with the care of your physician, it is possible to replace these lost male hormones, and regain your pride, and a sense of normalcy once again. Discuss your options with your doctor and decide what would be the best solution for you.

As a urologist in the North Dallas area, Dr. Mark Allen of North Texas Urology Associates (972.612.8037), has had the task of delivering unwelcome news to patients more times than he would like. The words, “you have prostate cancer” is never easy for a patient to hear.  If you are one of the 200,000 Americans diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, then you probably already have your clinical information memorized. You can spout off your PSA level, Gleason score and prostate cancer stage without the blink of an eye. While these tests, historically, have been sufficient in classifying cancer stages for patients, missing variables often exist that may alter the effectiveness of staging during diagnosis.

Today, more than 85% of patients that are diagnosed with prostate cancer will be considered in the low or intermediate risk category purely because they have similar clinical information.  The conflict in using this clinical information alone to treat and manage a person’s cancer and to determine prostate cancer stages has been a topic of discussion in recent years. From a purely clinical perspective, patients can often appear the same, when in fact they will have very different outcomes. One patient might have a slow growing cancer that will never be a problem and the second patient might have an aggressive cancer.

The current challenge in predicting individual patient risk is complicated by the multiple variables that must be considered, as well as the applicability and accuracy of available predictive tools and tests. Prostate Px+, a new prostate cancer test developed by Aureon, was created with these challenges in mind and is currently being adopted into urology offices like Dr. Allen’s in Plano, Texas. As a new option for physicians, this state-of-the-art test is being used to better assess the prostate cancer within each patient so that prostate cancer stages and a more accurate diagnosis and treatment plan can be offered.

About Prostate Px+

Prostate Px+ is a prostate cancer test that is ordered at diagnosis to provide physicians with objective and useful information. Unlike other tests, it uses a combination of cellular, molecular and clinical data with advanced mathematical analysis, to assist doctors in properly identifying low risk vs. high-risk patients. Prostate Px+ is based on patented technology and is the only test that combines multiple layers of data based on the patient’s tissue to provide an idea of the outcome post-therapy. In essence, when someone asks, “What is your prognosis?” a more accurate answer can be given.

Once prostate cancer has been found in a patient, a physician can order the test and use the same sample that was provided for the original biopsy. The test, which is currently only available in the United States, is analyzed and a personalized report is sent to the physician to be used for patient discussion within about five days. One of the items that will be provided back to the physician is a prostate disease Progression Score that will rank between 0-100.  This number reflects the likelihood of the patient developing disease progression (defined as bone/soft tissue metastases, death of disease and/or androgen independent rise in PSA within eight years of their diagnosis.

A Personalized, More Accurate Approach

Prostate Px+ provides personalized test results by analyzing a patient’s existing biopsy sample using molecular diagnostics, sophisticated tissue-based image analysis and advanced mathematics. The resulting information gathered from this multi-layered approach provides both the patient and physician with objective, predictive and personalized information that enables all parties to make more-informed treatment decisions.

Prior to treatment selection, Prostate Px+:

• Provides useful, objective information for anyone considering surgery as a treatment option
• Predicts serious disease progression (metastasis, death of disease, progression through androgen deprivation therapy)
• Accurately reclassifies all intermediate-risk patients as either high- or low-risk
• Reveals high-risk disease, originally masked as low-risk at diagnosis
• Predicts your tissue pathology results after surgery
• Helps alleviate patient anxiety by providing objective information about a patient’s cancer

A diagnosis of prostate cancer does not mean the end to a fulfilling and active life. If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer but have not yet selected treatment, you are looking for as much information as possible to better understand your disease and your options. In prostate cancer, there is no one-size-fits-all. Understanding the multiple issues and challenges will help you take control of your individual health needs.

For more information on Prostate Px+ visit http://aureon.com.  To learn more about Prostate Px+ please visit the literature and brochures section of the Aueron website.

Dr. Mark Allen MD, a north Texas urologist (http://northtexasurologist.com) with North Dallas Urology Associates, often finds himself discussing issues with women during their visits to his Plano, TX office surrounding pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic floor reconstruction.

Ask the average woman about female pelvic health concerns like urinary incontinence or fibroids and she’s likely to have at least a basic knowledge of these conditions. Ask her about pelvic organ prolapse and she may look back at you with a blank stare.  These are conditions that are quite common in women, especially after childbirth, where a considerable amount of pressure has been placed on the pelvic region, but yet are rarely discussed until symptoms increase and begin to interfere with normal daily routines.

More than 30 million women suffer from pelvic organ prolapse, which occurs when pelvic structures, such as the bladder, uterus or rectum, bulge or protrude into the vaginal wall. Most women will complain of discomfort in this region and will often experience vaginal pressure, abdominal pain, urinary incontinence, painful intercourse and a constant feeling that something has “fallen”.

“In the case of a prolapsed bladder, it is common in women who have given childbirth or with the natural aging process,” says Dr. Allen. “The front wall of the vagina supports the bladder. After childbirth, or when a woman ages, this wall will naturally loosen and weaken. In some case, it will prolapse which means it is no longer supported and descends into the vagina. The result of a prolapsed bladder, are problems such as urinary difficulties and stress incontinence. In the case of other organs, the same incidences can occur.”

“When a woman experiences pelvic organ prolapse for the first time, it creates stress and confusion. The pain associated with prolapse is considerable,” says Dr. Allen.  “Often, women will refrain from exercise, sexual intercourse and will limit their overall physical activity because of the condition and the discomfort it causes. Many are afraid to use the restroom because it exasperates the prolapse.”

Types of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse can occur in several ways. Vaginal vault prolapse can occur alone or along with a cystocele (dropping of the bladder into the vagina); urethrocele (sagging of the urethra into the vagina); rectocele (pushing of the rectum into the vaginal wall); or enterocele (bulging of the small intestine into the vaginal wall).  All of these conditions are treatable. A woman who experiences symptoms associated with these conditions should consult a medical professional. There are numerous treatment options available to consider.

Treatment Options for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Treatments available for prolapse depend on the type of prolapse that is presented and its severity. Pelvic floor exercises called Kegel exercises or a vaginal pessary device placed into the vagina to support surrounding structures, are two traditional, non-surgical treatments.

There are now many surgical options available for women who suffer from pelvic organ prolapse. Surgical devices manufactured by American Medical Systems and new techniques have made considerable strides in recent years and physicians now can offer a number of long-term solutions. Many physicians will choose to use a mesh — either synthetic, biologic or both — to provide support for the organs necessary to restore nearby organs to their normal anatomical position.

“The mesh is a soft apparatus and has large pores designed to allow body tissue to grow into it, providing a framework of support,” explains Dr. Allen. “The use of surgical mesh is not new. It has been used in surgery for many years to help correct a prolapsed bladder (cystocele treatment) and other organ prolapses in the pelvic region. The use of the mesh proved to work successfully in many of my patients.”

Living with Pelvic Organ Prolapse

It is important for women to understand that pelvic organ prolapse can be made worse by anything that puts pressure on the belly, such as obesity, constipation, pelvic region fibroid tumors and frequent coughing.  Cutting back on caffeine is also recommended because it acts a diuretic and can cause frequent urination. One should avoid heavy lifting or any other activity that puts stress on the pelvic muscles.

For those women who have more than one type of prolapse, all can often be repaired during one surgical procedure using a mesh for cystocele treatment, rectal or other. “The best news about pelvic organ prolapse is that women do not have to live with it or its associated pain and discomfort,” continues Dr. Allen. “New surgical options are available that are safe and highly effective.”

Dr. Mark Allen, MD is a Dallas-based urologist. He was interviewed for this article.