When Should You Call A Doctor For Bph
Urinary symptoms related to enlarging prostate initially affect the quality of life, and if no complications exist, as mentioned above , the decision to treat is optional and is left to the patient. This means that if you dont feel bothered enough to take a medicine or undergo a procedure for it, youll need to follow up with your doctor to ensure the symptoms are stable, and the bladder empties well. This can be assessed by prostate symptom questionnaires and a measure of the strength of the urinary stream and residual urine in the bladder. If complications develop, however, or if the bladder starts holding increasing amounts of residual urine after urination, treatment should be started.
If you experience bladder pain or burning with urination, blood in the urine associated with fever/chills or nausea/vomiting, or if the prostate enlargement condition worsens and symptoms such as blood in the urine or lower back pain are present, consult a doctor immediately. If you cannot reach your doctor when these symptoms are present, seek evaluation at a hospitals emergency department.
For acute symptoms such as acute urinary retention , you should immediately go to the closest emergency medical facility for bladder drainage, usually with a catheter, which is a tube inserted into the bladder.
Men over 50 years of age should have their prostate checked annually by their physician even if they have no symptoms.
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A New Treatment Option For Bph
Experts at University Hospitals now offer a new, minimally invasive approach to treat BPH called UroLift®.
Instead of removing prostate tissue, this procedure implants a device that pulls the prostate away from the urethra on both sides and holds it in place. This widens the urethra and restores normal urine flow.
Its like opening a curtain, says UH urologist Irina Jaeger, MD.
This procedure is a nice alternative, because the side effects are very minimal, it can be done in the doctors office in 15 minutes or less and very little sedation is required, she says. And the results are pretty instant.
UroLift®has been in use for six years. Studies have shown that the procedure is safe, effectively relieves symptoms and does not affect sexual function.
The only side effects are a little irritation immediately after the procedure. Patients are typically back to their normal routines within a day or two.
What Matters Most To You
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to have surgery for an enlarged prostate
Reasons not to have surgery
I don’t want to keep taking medicine every day for my symptoms.
I don’t mind taking daily medicine.
I’m willing to try surgery because my symptoms bother me so much.
I don’t like the idea of having surgery.
I don’t think medicines are helping my symptoms.
Medicines are helping my symptoms.
I don’t think the side effects of surgery will be as bad as my symptoms.
I think the side effects of surgery would bother me more than my symptoms do.
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What Happens During Surgery
The aim of surgery is to make the prostate gland smaller so that it no longer pushes against the bladder and urethra. In most of the approaches, tiny instruments are guided through the urethra until they reach the prostate, where they are used to remove tissue or widen the urethra. This kind of procedure is known as keyhole surgery. If the prostate gland is very large, it may be operated on from the outside, through a cut in the abdominal wall . This is rarely necessary, though.
Many different surgical techniques and many different instruments and devices can be used to remove prostate tissue in different ways.
What To Expect After Holep Surgery
Most people can leave the day of surgery after a few hours of monitoring. If you are at higher risk for complications, you may need to stay for one night or more so our doctors and nurses can monitor you for complicationst.
Your doctor will look at the catheter to make sure everything looks good. You will go home with the catheter in place. You will not need to urinate into the toilet while the catheter is in place. The catheter can usually be removed after just one or two days, but some people may need to keep it in longer.
You will need to arrange to have someone drive you home from the hospital. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication or instructions for over-the-counter pain medications for any pain you may experience.
For the first few nights after you leave the hospital, you will need to watch for the following issues:
- A catheter that is not draining This could be a sign of a blood clot in the bladder.
- Blood in the urine Some bleeding after HoLEP surgery is normal, but the volume of blood should generally go down over time. If there is enough blood to cause a clot in your catheter, call your doctor right away.
- Signs of infection Monitor yourself for signs of infection such as fever or chills.
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When Is The Right Time To Undergo Prostate Surgery
The decision of whether to undergo prostate surgery or not can be quite difficult at times and you must consult and act as per your doctors guidelines. There are countless men who face prostate problems in their life. The prostate problems occur more in men when they are aging. The enlargement of the prostate takes place steadily over the years and the symptoms of enlarged prostate gland are evident with this enlargement. The concepts of enlarged prostate and prostate cancer are different, and doctors do suggest the removal of prostate cancer by surgeries. In the case of an enlarged prostate, there are plenty of other options available to get rid of the problem instead of going for the surgery. Drug therapies and non surgical options are available for treating enlarged prostate. Thus, one should take the right decision about having a prostate surgery after considering all the aspects of the case which involve general health of the patient.
How Is Greenlight Laser Therapy For An Enlarged Prostate Performed
GreenLight Laser Therapy is used by inserting a small fiber into the urethra through a cystoscope. The fiber carries laser energy which removes enlarged prostate tissue. Most patients usually achieve relief from their symptoms and an overall dramatic improvement in urine flow within 24 hours of the procedure. Normal activities can usually be resumed within a couple of days of the procedure and strenuous activities can be resumed within two weeks.
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Why Is Enlarged Prostate Surgery Done
The most important benefit of enlarged prostate surgery is that it removes the prostate gland which may cause cancer. This is a good choice for men whose prostate cancer has not reached the prostate gland yet.
For men whose prostate cancer has expanded and reached the prostate, prostate removal can be an important treatment option. When combined with radiation therapy and hormone therapy, it can effectively treat cancer. It can be instrumental in pain relief and other such symptoms.
What Is Greenlight Laser Prostatectomy
Greenlight laser prostatectomy is a safe, effective and efficient treatment to ease the urinary symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia , enlargement of the prostate gland. It is a minimally invasive procedure which utilizes a 532nm wavelength laser to remove the excess prostate tissue blocking the urethra by vaporization. This laser appears green in color so this surgery is also called green light laser therapy. The laser with this specific wavelength is chosen as it is selectively absorbed by the blood within the prostate and poorly absorbed by water. The procedure is also known as Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate .
The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland that is only present in men. It is involved in providing nutrition to sperm and assisting in their transport.
It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man ages. As the prostate enlarges, the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the gland to constrict the urethra. This leads to a number of urination and bladder problems such as urinary hesitancy, frequent urination, urinary tract infection, and urinary retention. This is referred to as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia . BPH is more common in men above 60 years of age.
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Transurethral Incision Of The Prostate
During a TUIP procedure, a surgeon will make several small incisions in your prostate instead of removing portions of your prostate. This gives your prostate room to expand without cutting off the flow of urine through your urethra.
TUIP is typically used to treat milder cases of enlarged prostate. Its possible your prostate will continue to grow and you will need additional treatments later. Following the surgery, you may need to wear a catheter for up to a week to help drain your bladder.
A TUIP procedure is much less invasive than a TURP procedure. Your recovery time should be less. Your doctor will likely send you home following the procedure.
Prostate Surgery Side Effects
The prostate surgery is used for effective treatment of enlarge cancer or prostate. Let us discuss the prostate surgery side effects or side effects of prostate surgery in this article.
The prostate surgery is used for effective treatment of enlarge cancer or prostate. Let us discuss the prostate surgery side effects or side effects of prostate surgery in this article.
There are many people who experience certain side effects after a prostate surgery, as per the reports of many doctors and health care institutions. Before we discuss these side effects, let us know exactly when should a person decide to have a prostate surgery.
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Pelvic Radiation Therapy Effect On Erections
Prostate, bladder, colon, and rectal cancer are sometimes treated with radiation to the pelvis. This can cause problems with erections. The higher the total dose of radiation and the wider the section of the pelvis treated, the greater the chance of erection problems later. If radiation therapy is part of your treatment plan, talk to your doctor before it starts. Ask how your arteries and nerves might be affected by radiation therapy so you know what to expect.
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What Is Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men, right behind skin cancer. Prostate cancer is also the second most deadly cancer in American men. Prostate cancer is more frequent among African American men than it is among white men. Furthermore, African American men are more likely to die of prostate cancer than are white men.
The vast majority of prostate cancers are a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinomas arise from cells that produce fluids like mucus.
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Transurethral Resection Of The Prostate
During a TURP procedure, your surgeon will insert a lighted scope into your urethra and remove tissue from all but the very outer portion of your prostate. Symptoms typically disappear very quickly after a TURP procedure because the surgery is so effective for treating BPH.
You may need a catheter to help you drain your bladder for several days following the procedure. Youll also need to recover at a hospital or at home for up to three days, and your activities may be limited for as long as two months. Your physical activity will also be limited for several weeks until youve healed.
The Right Solution For Many Bph Patients
The UroLift®System treatment provides rapid relief and recovery for men living with symptoms of an enlarged prostate.1,9,10 It reopens the channel, with no cutting, burning or removal of prostate tissue.
Most men living with enlarged prostate symptoms take prescription medications after theyre diagnosed but these prescriptions often dont provide adequate relief and may cause dizziness, fatigue, and sexual dysfunction.2 Medications don’t need to become a lifelong burden and men dont need to wait until surgery is required to address the problem. With the UroLift System treatment, men suffering from BPH symptoms can avoid traditional surgery altogether.
1. Roehrborn et al. Can J Urol 2017
2. AUA Guidelines 2003, 2020
3. Wasson, Perspectives in Nursing 2000
4. NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine TURP patient instructions
5. Sonksen, EU Urol, 2015 BPH6 Study
6. Berry, et al., J Urol 1984
7. U.S. Census Bureau – International Database by Region, Age and Year
8. Wei, JT et al., Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia 2007
9. Shore, Can J Urol 2014
10. Eure J Endourol 2019
11. McVary J Sex Med 2016
12. Roehrborn, J Urology, 2013
*No instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction in the LIFT pivotal study
Caution: Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.
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The Importance Of Prostate Massage
Prostate massage is a treatment that addresses the root cause of most prostate issues. Treatments like surgery and medications only provide temporary relief by treating the symptoms and not the cause.
> > > Prostate Massage for Optimal Prostate Health
On the other hand, regular prostate massages encourage the gland to work without problems. A man will not be subjected to dangerous side effects from medication or complications from surgery. Massage also helps make the prostate stronger and more resistant from disease and infection.
Advantages Of Prostate Massage
Although regular prostate massage can help to eliminate or reduce the severity of any symptoms a man may have, it can also offer other benefits especially with improved sexual enjoyment and function.
It is a fact that modern medicine has not been able to determine the causes and treatments for many conditions related to the prostate. Even though prevention is the best medicine, prostate massage will help improve your prostateâs health and prevent existing conditions from becoming worse.
However, in the case of bacterial prostatitis, left untreated, can cause intense inflammation and increased bacterial growth.
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What Are Other Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Surgery Options
If your symptoms are severe or minimally invasive surgical treatments dont help with your enlarged prostate, your doctor will likely recommend another kind of surgery. Other prostate procedures include:
Transurethral resection of the prostate : This is the most common treatment for BPH. During this procedure, your urologist will insert a rigid instrument called a resectoscope into the urethra. This is why it is called transurethral. Inserting the scope this way means no cutting into the prostate. They will then use the charged resectoscope to remove the excess tissue that is blocking the urine from leaving the bladder.
You may be put to sleep with general anesthesia. Local anesthesia for the lower part of the body may be used for this procedure. The average in hospital stay for TURP is 1 to 2 days.
Transurethral incision of the prostate : This is a similar procedure to TURP. Instead of prostate tissue being removed the bladder neck and prostate are cut to relax the bladder opening, allowing urine to flow more freely. TUIP is most successful on men with smaller prostates.
Simple prostatectomy: This method is a surgical procedure in which an incision is made through the abdomen or performed laporoscopically. The inner portion of the prostate gland is removed, leaving the outer segment intact.
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What Is Enlarged Prostate Surgery
Enlarged prostate can lead to serious issues in men and hamper their lives. They might face many troubles and undergo a lot of pain because of an enlarged prostate gland. Hence enlarged prostate surgery becomes indispensable to reduce the risk of cancer in men.
Enlarged prostate surgery is a surgical procedure used to treat urinary ailments often developed due to an abnormal increase in the size of a prostate. The prostate gland is located just in front of the rectum, underneath the bladder.
It is required in the part of the male reproductive system that produces fluids that transport sperm. The surgical removal of the prostate is known as an enlarged prostate surgery prostatectomy.
The most important causes for prostate surgery are prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia .
Transurethral resection of the prostate or TURP is commonly used for men who might suffer from moderate to severe urinary problems that have not been cured by medication.
Although TURP has been considered to be the most appropriate cure for an abnormal prostate, a few other procedures are also becoming more popular. These procedures are less prone to complications and have a shorter recovery period than the TURP treatment.
The actual reason for prostate enlargement is unidentified, but it is thought to be related to hormonal changes that occur as men age. As one ages the balance of hormone levels in the body changes, which may cause the prostate gland to grow.
Green Light Laser Surgery For Prostate Benefits And Side Effects
Are you dealing with the annoying urinary difficulties due to benign prostate hyperplasia? Are you looking into the possibility of getting a green light laser prostate surgery that will put an end to your sufferings? But remember this surgery, like any other, comes with potential side-effects that you need to remember. Lets explore the most common and rarer side-effects of the green light laser surgery on prostate!
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Enlarged Prostate Surgical Procedures
Here is a list of enlarged prostate surgery procedures:
- TUIP widens the urethra by making a few small cuts in the bladder neck, where the urethra joins the bladder, and in the prostate gland itself.
- TURP surgery is the procedure used for 90% of all prostate surgeries for BPHit is the standard operation.
Other risks: impotence, incontinence, blood loss, and urinary tract infection. This procedure is now available using lasers.
- Simple or Partial Prostatectomy is the removal of the inner portion of the prostate through an incision in the lower abdomen. This is an invasive surgery used for very large prostate glands to remove the enlarged part of the prostate.
This BPH surgery procedure is open surgery performed while the patient is under general anesthesia.
Read more about BPH and medical procedures here:
Read these industry-funded sites that explain all the different procedures in greater depth. Buyer beware as despite the claims to being superior, many of these private state of the art procedures have not been proven over time to be superior to the standard TURP:
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