If you are having problems with your prostate, in particular an enlarged prostate gland, then this article might be of interest to you. It’ll be taking a look at Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (or BPH) and the Urolift procedure, what it is, and what’s involved. We’ll also take a look at why you may want to have this procedure and what issues a non-cancerous, enlarged prostate gland can cause.
Enlarged Prostate - What Is It and What Causes It?
An enlarged prostate
is having a prostate gland that is bigger than its normal size. This is due to
the cells in the prostate gland multiplying. Many men fear that an enlarged
prostate means they have prostate cancer, but enlarged prostates that are
benign are actually quite common, especially the older a man gets.
A common reason for an
enlarged prostate gland changes in a man’s hormones as he ages. It’s quite
natural, but enlarged prostates can cause issues, such as the enlarged prostate
gland blocking the flow of urine and making it difficult to empty the bladder.
An enlarged prostate that is left untreated can also cause bladder, urinary
tract, and kidney problems.
Another symptom of an
enlarged prostate which no man wants to suffer from is ED, or erectile
dysfunction. Having impotency problems can not only cause stress between two
people in an intimate relationship, but it can also have a major impact on a
man’s self-esteem.
To avoid or eradicate the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland, seeking help from a urologist will hold the key.
The Urolift Procedure for BPH
Urolift
surgery is a new procedure to treat enlarged prostate gland
problems. The good thing about this innovative procedure is that it’s minimally
invasive, which spells excellent news for patients undergoing the procedure to
correct a BPH issue. Recovery times are rapid following the procedure and
Urolift surgery does not interfere with a man’s fertility and ability to
reproduce.
The Urolift device is
very interesting. Rather than cutting or removing any prostate tissue, the
Urolift device basically, in essence, spreads apart both lateral lobes of the prostate gland, leaving an unobstructed pathway between them for the normal
flow of urine.
The device is a urethral prosthesis that compresses each lateral lobe like a clamp and then tethers to the firm fibromuscular prostatic capsule. It’s an ingenious design, yet very simple in its application.
How It Works and the Benefits
Patients only need to
be admitted for day surgery and don’t usually require an overnight stay in
hospital. The Urolift procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and only
takes around half an hour to complete.
Because the procedure
is not very invasive, recovery time is fast. This means you can be up and about
and active in no time.
Another benefit of
having the Urolift procedure done is it means you no longer have to rely on
medications to control the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. For men who were
previously on meds and possibly suffering some side effects, these will be a
thing of the past following Urolift surgery.
Previous surgical
techniques to relieve the symptoms of an enlarged prostate were far more
invasive and often included removing some of the prostate gland tissue. This
meant more pain and longer recovery times.
Another symptom of previous surgeries is what’s known as retrograde ejaculation, where instead of semen being ejected through the shaft of the penis, it is forced into the bladder. Retrograde ejaculation is not a symptom that patients who have undergone Urolift surgery have experienced, so this is great news.
Is Urolift Surgery Recommended for Everyone?
The procedure is most beneficial for younger men who are suffering from BPH. For anyone with an excessively enlarged prostate gland where the median lobe is causing an obstruction, Urolift surgery is not the recommended procedure. TURP or BNI surgery is the appropriate course of action for men with this condition.
The Takeaway
If you suspect you
have an enlarged prostate problem, seek professional help and guidance as soon
as possible. If your enlarged prostate is benign, then the solution to the
problem could very well be the new and innovative Urolift procedure. Always
discuss your options with your healthcare professional before taking further
steps, and never try and self-diagnose.
read more: ARE YOU SEEKING FOR AN ADVENTUREOUS