Introduction
If you suffer from an enlarged prostate, you know just how dramatically it can affect your quality of life. You may be waking up several times during the night to use the bathroom. During the day you're probably always on the lookout for th nearest restroom. Fortunatley, there is a solution to this common condition.
What Is Enlarged Prostate?
The prostate gland, located just below the bladder, is about the size and shape of a walnut.
Its primary function is to produce semen, the fluid that carries sperm. The prostate surrounds the urethra - the tube that carries urine from the bladder.
Enlarged prostate, also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), is a non-cancerous condition in which the prostate cells begin to increase in number. This growth, a normal part of the aging process, causes the gland to compress the urethra making urination difficult or painful.
Although it is not known exactly what causes an enlarged prostate, it is a common condition generally affecting men over age 50. In fact more than half of all men between the ages of 40-60 have symptons of an enlarged prostate. Enlarged prostate is not life threatening nor is it cancer; however, if left untreated it can lead to more serious health problems such as urinary retention, bladder stones, urinary infections or kidney damage.
What Are The Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate?
If you routinely experience any of the following symptoms, you may be suffering from enlarged prostate:
What Treatments Are Available?
There are a number of treatments available for enlarged prostate. You will need to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment with a urologist. Depending on your medical history and the severity of your symptoms, you and your physician will decide together which treatment is right for you.
Watchful Waiting
If you experience little or no difficulty due to your enlarged prostate, you may choose to wait and see how your symptoms change or worsen before having treatment. You will be asked to come in once a year for a regular exam and to discuss the need for treatment. However, if you feel your condition is worsening or affecting your normal daily activities, do not wait for your next exam - contact your urologist as soon as possible.
Advantages and disadvantages
Watchful waiting gives you and your urologist time to monitor your symptoms and consider the appropriate course of action. The only disadvantage is that you may wait longer than necessary before having your enlarged prostate treated.
Cooled ThermoTherapy™
Cooled ThermoTherapy is designed to solve the problems of an enlarged prostate without the need for drugs, needles, anesthesia or a hospital stay.
Cooled ThermoTherapy is a single, non-surgical procedure that can be performed in the comfort of your urologist's office or in a hospital outpatient setting. The treatment uses a specially designed catheter that directs heat deep into the prostate to safely destroy the enlarged tissue and reduce the pressure being placed on the urethra.
During treatment, cool water is circulated through a catheter, drawing heat away from the delicate surface of the urethra, protecting it from damage and minimizing the discomfort you may feel.
Cooled ThermoTherapy treatment takes about 30-60 minutes. Because general anesthesia is not required, you can go home shortly after treatment. Some patients may be sent home with a catheter in place to drain urine while any swelling of treated prostate tissue diminishes.
Most men resume their normal routine within days following Cooled ThermoTherapy treatment. Over time you'll notice a marked improvement in your symptoms and be on your way to returning to a normal life style.
Advantages and disadvanages:
Clinical studies show that Cooled ThermoTherapy produces significant relief without the risks associated with more invasive surgery or the side effects that drug therapy can cause. Cooled ThermoTherapy does not require hospitalization, anesthesia or the long recovery time some surgical patients must face. Cooled ThermoTherapy has been shown to be more cost effective than other treatments costing a fraction of the thousands of dollars some patients spend on a lifetime of drug therapy.
This procedure may not be right for everyone as symptom relief may not be immediate. It typically takes several weeks before you experience the full benefit of the treatment. Speak with your urologist to see whether Cooled ThermoTherapy is right for you.
Why Doctors Recommend Cooled ThermoTherapy
"It's an ideal treatment for men with busy lives who are looking for long-lasting results."
Why Patients Recommend Cooled ThermoTherapy
"I chose Cooled ThermoTherapy because my lifestyle is so busy that I could not be out of action for any length of time."
Drug Therapy
Several medications are available to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Some of these medications are known as alpha-blockers. They relax the muscles in the prostate to help relieve the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Other medications actually shrink the prostate tissue.
Advantages and disadvantages:
Drug therapy can be an effective choice for many men. It is simple and does not require surgery or a medical procedure. However, drugs must be taken once or twice a day for the rest of your life. Over time, the cost can become a large expense. Medication is not effective for all patients. Side effects include fatigue, headache, dizziness, and impotence.
If you are taking medication and it is not relieving your symptoms, or you are unhappy with the side effects, contact your urologist.
Surgery
Surgery may be considered for patients whose symptoms have not improved with other treatments. One of the most common forms of surgery is transurethral resection of the prostate, or TURP. This involves the insertion of a small instrument connected to an electrical energy source. This instrument is inserted through the urethra to cut away the enlarged prostate tissue.
Advantages and disadvantages:
Surgery is typically very successful in treating an enlarged prostate. However, it does require general or spinal anesthesia. Also, a two to three day hospital stay is needed. You will probably be able to return to your normal routine in four to six weeks. Surgery does involve additional risks including the possibility of postoperative pain, discomfort and bleeding, urinary incontinence, retrograde ejaculation, and impotence.
Where Do I Get More Information
Now is a great time to talk to your physician about any additional questions you may have about enlarged prostate. With so many treatment options available, you're sure to find one that is right for you.