About Blue Ridge Medical Management Blue Ridge Physician Group Providers Blue Ridge Primary Care Locations Blue Ridge Physician Group Locations Services Physician Directory

Winter 2009

Smyth Regional Urology Focuses on Patient-Centered Care

A urologist is a health care professional who specializes in the reproductive and urinary systems, which include the kidneys and urinary tract. Smyth Regional Urology is a member of the Blue Ridge Physician Group that provides patientcentered urologic services, focusing on seven major areas:

  1. Urologic cancer, which includes cancers of the bladder, kidney, prostate, testes, and penis
  2. Kidney stones
  3. Incontinence
  4. Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate
  5. Erectile dysfunction
  6. Pediatric urology
  7. Office surgery

HELPING MEN AND WOMEN

While many people think that only men need to see a urologist, this is not true. That’s because both men and women can have urologic conditions, such as kidney stones, urinary tract infections, incontinence, and urologic cancer.

HELP FOR KIDNEY STONES

The experts at Smyth Regional Urology see quite a few cases of kidney stones. These are small, hard particles that form from crystals in the urine. Normally, urine contains chemicals that keep these crystals from forming. But kidney stones can form when these chemicals fail to work.

“Southwest Virginia has the highest incidence of kidney stones in North America,” says Eric J. Sacknoff, M.D., F.A.C.S., urologist at Smyth Regional Urology. “This may be due in part to the heavy limestone deposit adjacent to underground water supplies. As a result, it is important to not only treat stones in the acute phase, but prevent them with thorough evaluation after surgery.”

Smyth Regional Urology works with patients to help detect, resolve, and prevent kidney stone problems. When necessary, Smyth Regional Urology can extract or dissolve kidney stones through minimally invasive or nonsurgical techniques.

Visit www.blueridgephysiciangroup.com. Click on the “Practices” tab and look for “Smyth Regional Urology.”

MEET THE DOCTOR

Eric J. Sacknoff, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Smyth Regional Urology
Marion, Va.
276-783-5400

Dr. Sacknoff is a recipient of the national award for medical excellence in clinical laser surgery. He is an assistant professor of urology at Harvard Medical School and chief of urologic services at Smyth County Community Hospital. Dr. Sacknoff is certifi ed by the American Board of Urology and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.



 |    |    |     |   |    |