Riverwood Healthcare offers advanced urology care for both men and women. This includes diagnosis, treatment and management of urinary tract conditions as well as male reproductive and infertility issues. Urologists treat prostate disease, urinary incontinence, kidney stone disease, urological cancers, urinary tract infections and impotence/erectile dysfunction. In addition, we offer treatment for kidney cancer.
When surgery is medically necessary, we offer state-of-the-art care with minimally invasive procedures, including robotic-assisted surgery using the latest da Vinci Xi® robot.
Meet Amanda, Nurse Coordinator for Urology Care
As the Urology Nurse Coordinator, Amanda Peka, RN, serves as the primary point of contact for Riverwood urology patients and referring physicians. Whether working to improve quality of life or treating an acute urologic ailment, she will provide compassionate care, education, and assist with scheduling surgeries and clinic appointments.
For information or questions, call Amanda at 218-927-5176, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Our Trusted Team for Urology
At Riverwood Healthcare, the full spectrum of clinical urology services is delivered in an environment of respect and compassion by a team of caring healthcare professionals. Our urology care team is led by Dr. Brandon Reynolds, a urologist with comprehensive skills and experience, with support from a certified urology nurse practitioner, Cindy Hauser. Together, they provide personalized treatment that support great outcomes and improved quality of life.
Urination frequency varies widely according to a number of factors, although for most healthy people going four to eight times a day is typical. More frequent urination or waking up at night to go to the bathroom might mean either a health problem or simply that you’re drinking too much at bedtime.
Not necessarily, although urinary incontinence occurs about twice as often in females than males. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and female anatomy account for the difference. But of the approximately 12 million sufferers in the United States, about one-third are men. Male incontinence is often associated with prostate problems or treatments.
Generally, it’s a good idea to call your doctor or schedule an appointment if you have a sudden onset of incontinence, if you’re having enough accidents that you need to either wear a pad for urine absorption, or if incontinence is interfering with your lifestyle.
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.
Urodynamics are basically the mechanisms of your urinary tract. Urodynamic testing is an analysis of the functioning of the bladder, urethra, and muscles (sphincters) that control voiding, or the elimination of urine. These kinds of tests help a urologist treat problems with storing urine or urinating.
Certain groups of people are more prone to kidney stones, and some medical conditions can be contributors. Men in their 30s, 40s and 50s are mostly likely to get stones, and postmenopausal women and women who have had their ovaries removed are at a higher risk than normal. Other contributors include frequent urinary tract infections, insulin resistance, cystic fibrosis, gout, inflammatory bowel disease, gastric bypass surgery, hyperparathyroidism, high blood pressure, and bladder problems resulting from spinal injuries.
Drink lots of water. 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.
The no-needle vasectomy has become very popular in the U.S. because of the decreased discomfort that men experience with this particular technique. We perform the no-needle vasectomy and would be happy to provide you with more information about this procedure.
The American Cancer Society recommends annual screening for all men over the age of 50, including a digital rectal exam and a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test. Men with a family history of prostate cancer should start annual screenings between age 40 and 45.
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 benign prostatic hyperplasia (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 10 prostate cancers are found in potentially curable stages.
As the Urology Nurse Coordinator, Amanda Peka, RN, serves as the primary point of contact for Riverwood urology patients and referring physicians. Whether working to improve quality of life or treating an acute urologic ailment, she will provide compassionate care, education, and assist with scheduling surgeries and clinic appointments.
