Questions About...
We are often confronted by important questions about health and what we should do in our lives to promote healthy living. The answers to questions listed below are based on medical information freely available from reputable resources.
Please note that these answers are general in nature and are not intended to provide specific advice to or for individual patients. Individual patients should always discuss any specific course of action regarding the detection, diagnosis, or management of any disorder with their personal physician(s).
The Urologist
A urologist is a physician who has specialized knowledge and skill regarding problems of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs. Because of the variety of clinical problems encountered, knowledge of internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, and other specialties is required of the urologist. Urology is classified as a surgical subspecialty.
The Prostate
The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut, which sits just below the bladder in men and is an integral part of the male reproductive system. The prostate goes through 2 main periods of growth: the first period of growth occurs early in puberty, when the prostate doubles in size.
At about the age of 25, the prostate begins to grow again. This second phase of growth often results in what constitutes an enlarged prostate. As the prostate becomes larger, the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the prostate to press against the urethra.
While the studies do not all concur, it is generally believed that most men over the age of 45 experience some amount of prostate enlargement, but may live free of symptoms. This prostate enlargement is usually harmless, but it often causes problems urinating later on in life.
By age 60, it is believed that over 80% of all men experience some sort of problem with urinating due to prostate enlargement.
Prostate enlargement is not a malignant condition, but it does put pressure on the urethra and can create a number of urinary problems such as frequent urination, urinary urgency, the need to get up at night to urinate, difficulty starting, a reduction to the force of the urine stream, terminal dribbling, incomplete emptying of the bladder and even the inability to urinate at all.
If left unchecked, benign prostate enlargement can cause serious health problems over time, including urinary tract infections, kidney or bladder damage, bladder stones, incontinence. It is important to take care of your prostate as you would any other organ and address any prostate problems you may be having.
"Enlarged prostate", the medical term for which is BPH - short for Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy - has historically been treated surgically - by removing all or part of the prostate. While this will result in most people experiencing a relief of their symptoms, it may also leave them impotent. For men who want to maintain their vitality, surgery should only be used as a last resort.
Diagnosis
You may first notice symptoms of BPH yourself, or your doctor may find that your prostate is enlarged during a routine checkup. When BPH is suspected, you may be referred to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in problems of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. Several tests help the doctor identify the problem and decide whether surgery is needed.Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test
To rule out cancer as a cause of urinary symptoms, your doctor may recommend a PSA blood test. PSA, a protein produced by prostate cells, is frequently present at elevated levels in the blood of men who have prostate cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a PSA test for use in conjunction with a digital rectal examination to help detect prostate cancer in men who are age 50 or older and for monitoring men with prostate cancer after treatment.However, much remains unknown about the interpretation of PSA levels, the test's ability to discriminate cancer from benign prostate conditions, and the best course of action following a finding of elevated PSA.
Laser Treatment
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) has historically been the treatment of choice in treating BPH. Now, however, removal of the prostate using lasers to vaporize or resect the prostate have replaced TURP as the treatment of choice.
RevoLix is the ideal laser for soft tissue removal from the urinary tract. It is a Thulium, continuous wave laser with a wavelength that vaporizes, cuts, and coagulates exceptionally well. In an outpatient setting, it produces outcomes equivalent to TURP, with a low incidence of complications and a high degree of safety. There is immediate removal of the obstructing prostate tissue, resulting in a rapid recovery and short convalescence.
RevoLix’s coagulating capabilities minimize bleeding during and after the procedure. It is truly a minimally invasive treatment for BPH.
RevoLix Laser advantages
Advantages of RevoLix Laser vaporization of prostate gland tissue:-
Outpatient procedure with no overnight stays in a hospital
Catheter to drain urine in place typically for 24 hours or less
Quick relief of your BPH symptoms with shorter recovery time compared to alternative treatments
Return to normal activities within a short period
Immediate increase in urine flow
The ability to obtain tissue specimens during procedure