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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 the nearest restroom. Fortunately, there is a solution to this common condition.
This site will help you learn more about enlarged prostate and the treatment options including Microwave Therapy. This innovative treatment relieves the symptoms of enlarged prostate in a single, minimally invasive procedure. Find out if Microwave Therapy is right for you. |
| Enlarged Prostate Treatment Options |
| 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. |
| 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 doctor as soon as possible. |
| Advantages and disadvantages: |
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Watchful waiting gives you and your urologist time to monitor your symptoms and to consider the appropriate course of action. The main disadvantages are that you may wait longer than necessary before having your enlarged prostate treated and you will continue to experience the symptoms.
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Several medications are available to treat the symptoms of enlarged prostate. Some of these medications are known as alpha-blockers. They relax the muscles in the prostate to help relieve the symptoms of enlarged prostate. Other medications actually cause some shrinkage of the prostate tissue.
Advantages and disadvantages:
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Taking medication is simple and does not require surgery. 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. |
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Common side effects can include fatigue, headache, dizziness, and impotence. |
| If your medication is not relieving your symptoms or you are unhappy with the side effects, contact your urologist. |
Microwave Therapy is the leading non-surgical treatment for enlarged prostate and is often offered as first line treatment for BPH. The procedure can be performed in the comfort of your urologist's office.
The treatment uses a specially designed catheter that directs high-energy heat deep into the prostate to safely destroy the enlarged tissue and to reduce the pressure being placed on the urethra. At the same time, cool water is circulated through the catheter drawing heat away from the urethra and allowing the heat to penetrate deeper into your prostate, which is important for comfort, improved recovery times, and lasting results.
Advantages and Disadvantages: |
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Microwave Therapy is effective in relieving the symptoms associated with enlarged prostate. Microwave Therapydoes not require hospitalization, anesthesia or the long recovery time some surgical patients face. |
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Microwave Therapy 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. |
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Microwave Therapy has shown long-term effectiveness in properly selected patients. It may takes several weeks before you experience the full benefit of the treatment. |
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
Surgery may be considered when 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 metal instrument through the urethra to cut away the enlarged prostate tissue with a hot wire electrode.
Advantages and Disadvantages:
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Surgery is typically very successful in treating enlarged prostate. However, it does require general or spinal anesthesia and a 2-3 day hospital stay. You will probably be able to return to your normal routine in four to six weeks. |
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Surgery does involve additional risks, including the possibility of postoperative pain, discomfort and bleeding, urinary incontinence, retrograde ejaculation, and impotence. |
| Photovaporization of the Prostate with the Revolix laser. |
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The Revolix is a new surgical laser that is being used to vaporize or resect the prostate, replacing the TURP as the treatment of choice. The Revolix procedure is done on an outpatient basis and patients are able to return to normal activities within a short period of time. |
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