PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Men, are you experiencing
urination changes? Today’s treatment options are game-changers.
Bothersome urinary symptoms are a problem for millions of men, especially after age 50. Almost all men experience a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as “enlarged prostate,” at some point during their lives. This noncancerous growth of the prostate gland negatively affects quality of life with frustrating symptoms like getting up during the night to urinate, difficulty fully emptying the bladder or a weak urine stream.
BPH is common, but it is not normal. It is a medical condition that needs to be addressed before it progresses and causes significant problems with the urinary system. Addressing BPH with medication can help in the short term, but it is not a permanent solution. “Enlarged prostate is a mechanical problem that needs a mechanical fix,” says Karen Tart, MD, Memorial Hermann- affiliated urologist. “Prescription medications are just a Band-Aid® for the situation.” What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)? Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous condition where the prostate gland increases in size, putting pressure on the bladder that can slow or block the flow of urine. As men get older, their prostate grows larger. Around age 50, approximately half of men have experienced BPH. Among men in their mid-80s and older, about 90% have symptoms. The symptoms of BPH can vary between individuals and may become more severe as men get older. It is common to need to urinate more frequently than normal, feel an urgency to urinate, have trouble starting to urinate, or experience urination that stops and starts or dribbles. Innovative Treatment: It’s not your father’s prostate procedure. Medical procedures to treat enlarged prostate often have a bad reputation. Men have heard stories about decades-old procedures that left too many patients with complications including sexual dysfunction. Fortunately, today’s minimally invasive treatment options are vastly different from older procedures and most do not involve the cutting of any tissue. Newer outpatient treatments can resolve urinary problems, while preserving ejaculatory essential function, with very minimal risks of bleeding complications. The renowned urologists affiliated with Memorial Hermann work with each patient to evaluate his unique anatomy and medical condition to recommend the most appropriate option for dealing with BPH. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation, and what is best for one man might be different from what works for another. Talking to a urologist is the place to start,” says Dr. Tart. Aquablation ® This newer procedure is a robotic-assisted, minimally invasive treatment for BPH that uses ultrasound imaging and waterjet technology to reduce the size of the prostate. Experienced urologists use leading-edge imaging technology to create a map of the prostate anatomy, and then remove excess tissue with a high-pressured water jet.
GreenLight Laser Therapy Targeted laser energy heats and destroys enlarged prostate tissue. A small scope with a camera is guided to the prostate, and then laser technology delivers heat to targeted areas. GreenLight laser therapy is suitable for a wide range of men, including those who are taking blood thinners. UroLift The minimally invasive UroLift implant device does not cut prostate tissue, but instead uses medical-grade clips to hold it back from the urethra to create an open channel for urine to flow more freely. Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP)
Karen Tart, MD Urologist
The HoLEP minimally invasive procedure uses light-beam technology to peel back and destroy the excess prostate tissue that is obstructing bladder function. Robotic Simple Prostatectomy Using robot-assisted technology, the surgeon makes small, precise incisions in the abdomen to reach the prostate and remove excess tissue to relieve urinary symptoms. This minimally invasive surgical procedure is often a good option for men with extremely large prostates. Don’t put it off. Early detection leads to better results. Men should not accept urinary problems as a “new normal” after age 50. In addition to improving quality of life, treating BPH helps prevent additional medical conditions from developing. The bladder is a muscle and, like all muscles, can be damaged if overworked. When this happens, men can develop complications like urinary tract infection, bladder stones, kidney stones or incontinence. In extreme situations, men can lose the ability to urinate on their own and will have to rely on catheterization. Dr. Tart says she frequently sees patients who wish they had come to her office sooner, when symptoms were milder and when they were younger and healthier overall. “You don’t want to wait until you’re in a situation where you end up in the emergency room with a catheter or, even worse, let things go so long that your bladder doesn’t work anymore,” she said. “The sooner men undergo treatment, the better the outcome will be.”
To learn more about BPH, scan the QR code or visit memorialhermann.org/mhmg-urology
Advancing health. Personalizing care.
12
COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
Powered by FlippingBook