| BPH Laser Therapy |
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What is BPH?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is very common in older men. The prostate is enlarged, but it is not cancerous. Over time, an enlarged prostate may press against the urethra, making it hard to urinate. It may cause dribbling after you urinate or a need to urinate often, especially at night. Your doctor will do a rectal exam to check for BPH. And you may need to have special x-rays or scans to check your urethra, prostate, and bladder. Treatments for BPH include: *Watchful waiting. If your symptoms are not too bad, your doctor may suggest that you wait before starting any treatment. You will need regular checkups. Treatment can start later on if your symptoms get worse. *Alpha-blockers. These medicines can ease your symptoms. Side effects may include headaches, dizziness, or feeling lightheaded or tired. *Finasteride (Proscar®). This medicine lowers the amount of the male hormone (testosterone) in the body. The result is that the prostate shrinks and urinary problems get better. Side effects can include less interest in sex and problems with erection or ejaculation. *Surgery. An operation can improve the flow of urine but it can also cause other problems. Usually, men have surgery only if medicine hasn’t worked. Surgery does not protect against prostate cancer. Regular check-ups are important after BPH surgery. Talk with your doctor about this treatment choice. There are three kinds of surgery. All are done with anesthesia: o Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the most common type of surgery. The doctor takes out part of the prostate through the urethra. o Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) may be used when the prostate is not too large. The doctor makes a few small cuts in the prostate near the opening of the bladder. o Open surgery is used only when the prostate is very large. The doctor removes the prostate through a cut in the belly or behind the scrotum. Laser surgery. In March 1996, FDA approved a surgical procedure that employs side-firing laser fibers and Nd: YAG lasers to vaporize obstructing prostate tissue. The doctor passes the laser fiber through the urethra into the prostate using a cystoscope and then delivers several bursts of energy lasting 30 to 60 seconds. The laser energy destroys prostate tissue and causes shrinkage. Like TURP, laser surgery requires anesthesia and a hospital stay. One advantage of laser surgery over TURP is that laser surgery causes little blood loss. Laser surgery also allows for a quicker recovery time. But laser surgery may not be effective on larger prostates. The long-term effectiveness of laser surgery is not known. GreenLight Laser System for Photoselective Vaporization is another option for BPH Laser surgery therapy. *Other treatments. Other ways to relieve the symptoms of BPH use radiowaves, microwaves, or electrical current. What is Laser? Laser stands for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation(LASER). A laser is a light beam that can be precisely focused. It is used to treat tissues by heating the targeted cells until they "burst". It may also be used for cosmetic purposes, including removal of wrinkles, tattoos, or birthmarks. There are several types of lasers, including the carbon dioxide (CO2) laser, the YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) laser, and the pulsed dye laser. Each laser has specific uses. The color of the light beam used is directly related to the type of procedure being performed and the color of the tissue being treated. Laser may be used to: Remove tumors Seal blood vessels Seal lymph vessels to reduce swelling and decrease the spread of tumor cells Seal nerve endings to reduce postoperative pain Remove warts, moles, and tattoos Reduce the appearance of skin wrinkles Remove hair Possible side effects of laser therapy: Bleeding Infection Pain Scaring Skin color changes |
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