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.
New Care Options with Robotic Prostate Ablation
Waterjet Ablation Therapy is the only BPH procedure giving the surgeon the ability to view the entire prostate in real time, greatly aiding decision-making and monitoring. The procedure is performed under anesthesia, accessing the prostate through the urethra. Using ultrasound imaging, the surgeon will create a personalized treatment plan based specifically on the individual patient's anatomy. A robot-assisted waterjet system is used to follow the surgical plan to precisely remove the obstructive prostate tissue, while protecting the areas responsible for sexual function and continence.
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:
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.
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