The Importance of Men's Health and When to Seek Care
Understanding Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate, is a common condition affecting many men as they age. While not all men with an enlarged prostate experience symptoms, it's crucial to understand the signs that warrant a visit to your doctor. Ignoring symptoms can lead to complications.
Common Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
These symptoms often gradually worsen over time. Pay attention to changes in your urinary habits, as these are key indicators:
New Care Options with Robotic Prostate Ablation
Robotic prostate- ablation is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. Chandler Regional and Mercy Gilbert now offer the latest robotic prostate- ablation technology.
Unlike traditional open surgery, robotic ablation utilizes a small incision and a sophisticated robotic system controlled by a surgeon. This allows for greater precision and dexterity, enabling the surgeon to remove or ablate (destroy) prostate tissue with minimal damage to surrounding structures like nerves and blood vessels.
This precision translates to a faster recovery time, reduced blood loss, less pain, and a shorter hospital stay compared to open prostatectomy. The robotic approach offers several ablation methods, including laser ablation and waterjet ablation, each tailored to the individual patient's needs and prostate size.
The benefits of robotic prostate- ablation extend beyond the surgical procedure itself. Because of the minimally invasive nature, patients often experience fewer complications, such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction, compared to traditional open surgery. The smaller incisions also lead to less scarring and a quicker return to normal activities.
While individual results may vary, many patients report significant improvements in urinary symptoms, such as improved urine flow, reduced frequency, and less nighttime urination. Before undergoing robotic prostate- ablation, it's crucial to discuss the procedure thoroughly with your urologist to understand the risks, benefits, and potential alternatives to ensure it's the right choice for your specific situation.
Feeling like you need to strain to urinate, or that the stream starts and stops.
Waking up multiple times during the night to urinate.
A sudden, strong urge to urinate that's difficult to control.
Difficulty starting urination.
Feeling like you haven't completely emptied your bladder after urinating.
Leaking urine after you finish urinating.
In severe cases, BPH can completely block the flow of urine. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.
Less Common, but Important Symptoms
While not typically associated with BPH, this could indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI) which can occur alongside BPH and needs separate treatment.
This warrants immediate medical attention as it could indicate a more serious condition.
While less common, this can sometimes be associated with BPH.
When to see a doctor:
Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications.
BPH shouldn't control your daily activities.
This is a medical emergency requiring immediate care.
Finding a doctor for you
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Dignity Health Medical Group Primary Care
A primary care provider is the first stop to proactive health care for everybody.
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Find a urologist near you
Specialist in urologic services.
Dignity Health Hospital Information
Dignity Health East Valley Hospitals have the technology and expertise to care for you.