Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Symptoms & Causes
Treatments & Procedures
Overview
Enlarged prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) affects millions of men in the Canada. It is believed to be caused by hormonal changes that occur as men age. Unfortunately, this can lead to health issues such as difficulty urinating.
This is because the prostate sits in front of the bladder, and as the prostate grows, it slowly chokes off urination. BPH can cause extreme discomfort. Left untreated, it can result in other more serious health conditions such as an inability to urinate requiring a temporary catheter to drain urine to prevent kidney failure.
It is important to seek medical care for the first symptoms of BPH. In addition to preventing the loss of bladder function, early diagnosis and treatment for enlarged prostate helps to prevent related complications such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney failure, and incontinence.
This is because the prostate sits in front of the bladder, and as the prostate grows, it slowly chokes off urination. BPH can cause extreme discomfort. Left untreated, it can result in other more serious health conditions such as an inability to urinate requiring a temporary catheter to drain urine to prevent kidney failure.
It is important to seek medical care for the first symptoms of BPH. In addition to preventing the loss of bladder function, early diagnosis and treatment for enlarged prostate helps to prevent related complications such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney failure, and incontinence.
Curing BPH: Photovaporization of prostate, or Laser TURP
Photovaporization of prostate surgery is not currently performed in the office setting. Contact us to discuss whether laser TURP may be appropriate for you in an outpatient surgical center.
Symptoms
The indications for BPH vary from patient to patient, but common symptoms can include:
• Slow urinary stream
• Interrupted urinary stream, or dribbling after urinating
• Straining to urinate, or the sensation that you are unable to fully empty your bladder
• More frequent urination or urge to urinate
• Getting up several times in the night to go to the bathroom • Urinary leakage
• Urinary tract infection
In rare instances, these symptoms can be signs of a more serious condition, such as prostate cancer. For this reason, it is important to schedule a consultation with your doctor if you are experiencing difficulty urinating.
• Interrupted urinary stream, or dribbling after urinating
• Straining to urinate, or the sensation that you are unable to fully empty your bladder
• More frequent urination or urge to urinate
• Getting up several times in the night to go to the bathroom • Urinary leakage
• Urinary tract infection
In rare instances, these symptoms can be signs of a more serious condition, such as prostate cancer. For this reason, it is important to schedule a consultation with your doctor if you are experiencing difficulty urinating.
Causes
Enlarged prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) affects millions of men in the U.S. It is believed to be caused by hormonal changes that occur as men age. Unfortunately, this can lead to health issues such as difficulty urinating.
This is because the prostate sits in front of the bladder, and as the prostate grows, it slowly chokes off urination. BPH can cause extreme discomfort. Left untreated, it can result in other more serious health conditions.
It is important to seek medical care for the first symptoms of BPH. In addition to preventing the loss of bladder function, early diagnosis and treatment for enlarged prostate helps to prevent related complications such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney failure, and incontinence.
This is because the prostate sits in front of the bladder, and as the prostate grows, it slowly chokes off urination. BPH can cause extreme discomfort. Left untreated, it can result in other more serious health conditions.
It is important to seek medical care for the first symptoms of BPH. In addition to preventing the loss of bladder function, early diagnosis and treatment for enlarged prostate helps to prevent related complications such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney failure, and incontinence.
BPH Care at UroCare Specialist
UroLift®
For those with relatively mild to moderate symptoms, the UroLift® procedure takes only a few minutes and achieves significant improvement in symptoms immediately. With UroLift®, several small implants are deployed into the prostate to “tent” the inner channel open and allow for freer urination. There are minimal side effects with immediate results. Best of all, this can be done in the comfort of our office without the need for a catheter afterward.
Benefits:
No Catheter
Quick Procedure
Minimal Side Effects
Dr. Tommy Higgan Explains Urolift, with Patient Experience
Greenlight XPS™ Laser Therapy
For more severe symptoms, Greenlight XPS™ Laser Therapy for BPH is a treatment that is less invasive with less discomfort and quicker recovery than traditional BPH surgery. Performed endoscopically (without incisions), a tiny laser fiber is inserted inside the urethra and prostate. The fiber is equipped with a high-powered laser which is used to vaporize (or melt) excess prostate tissue and opens a channel inside the prostate. The laser is extremely accurate and minimizes the risk of damage to healthy tissue. Shortly after the procedure, you can expect to experience improved urinary function such as a stronger stream and complete bladder emptying.
Greenlight XPS™ treatment results in less discomfort, blood loss, and downtime than traditional BPH procedures such as a TURP, also known as Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (or the “roto-rooter”). Dr. Higgan has extensive experience performing this procedure and trains other doctors who are new to Greenlight technology. Dr. Higgan has presented his results on Greenlight laser in the office at several international conferences and was one of the first in the world to offer the Greenlight in the office. Due to insurance changes, Greenlight is now performed in an outpatient surgery setting only.
Dr. Higgan is one of the few physicians in the country who have achieved a Center of Excellence designation for both UroLift® and Greenlight XPS™ procedures, a rare distinction awarded to the highest volume surgeons who achieve the best outcomes in the country.
Greenlight XPS™ treatment results in less discomfort, blood loss, and downtime than traditional BPH procedures such as a TURP, also known as Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (or the “roto-rooter”). Dr. Higgan has extensive experience performing this procedure and trains other doctors who are new to Greenlight technology. Dr. Higgan has presented his results on Greenlight laser in the office at several international conferences and was one of the first in the world to offer the Greenlight in the office. Due to insurance changes, Greenlight is now performed in an outpatient surgery setting only.
Dr. Higgan is one of the few physicians in the country who have achieved a Center of Excellence designation for both UroLift® and Greenlight XPS™ procedures, a rare distinction awarded to the highest volume surgeons who achieve the best outcomes in the country.
Benefits:
Less Invasive
Quicker Recovery
Less Discomfort
Greenlight laser PVP a revolutionary new treatment for BPH
Rezūm™
The Rezūm™ procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). During the procedure, steam is delivered directly into the prostate gland through a small instrument inserted into the urethra. The heat from the steam causes the prostate tissue to shrink, relieving the urinary symptoms associated with BPH. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and typically takes less than an hour to complete. It is a safe and effective alternative to traditional BPH treatments, such as medication or surgery, and has a quick recovery time with minimal side effects. The Rezūm™ procedure is suitable for men who have not responded well to medication or who do not want to undergo surgery for their BPH.
Benefits:
Minimally Invasive
No Ongoing Medication
Quick Procedure
Aquablation®
The Aquablation® procedure is a new treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A robot-controlled water jet is used to remove excess prostate tissue that is blocking the flow of urine. The water jet precisely and rapidly removes the tissue, leaving a smooth and uniform surface. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. It is a safe and effective alternative to traditional BPH treatments, such as medication or surgery, and has a quicker recovery time with minimal side effects. The Aquablation® procedure is suitable for men with moderate to severe BPH symptoms who have not responded well to medication or who do not want to undergo traditional surgery. It offers an innovative approach to treating BPH that provides significant relief to patients suffering from urinary symptoms.
Benefits:
Minimally Invasive
Precision