BPH Treatment in Dallas, TX
What Is BPH?
As men age, it is very common for their prostate to continue growing larger, which will often cause issues between age 50 and 60, and beyond.
An enlarged prostate is medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. This condition describes a prostate that has grown large enough to exceed its natural boundaries and begin to push down on the urethra.
You don’t have to live with the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. For men in the Dallas area, board-certified urologist Jeremy West, MD is here to help. Dr. West specializes in the minimally invasive management of enlarged prostates (BPH), and has been designated as a Urolift Center of Excellence. This designation recognizes that Dr. West has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift® System and has successfully treated hundreds of men suffering from BPH with great outcomes. Give us a call at 972-548-8195 today to schedule a consultation in McKinney with Dr. West.
Common Symptoms of BPH
This added pressure typically results in problems of the urinary system such as:
- A frequent and powerful urge to urinate
- Straining during urination
- Accidental release of urine (urinary incontinence)
- A weak stream of urine
- Trouble starting to urinate
- Stopping and starting the flow of urine several times when urinating
- A constant feeling of fullness in the bladder
- Presence of blood in the urine
- Recurring urinary tract infections
In extreme circumstances, the urethra can become totally blocked, which will cause severe complications if not treated as soon as possible.
Why BPH Treatment Is Important
Many men will continue to muddle through their symptoms and adjust their life accordingly. This often means taking more bathroom breaks, especially all throughout the night.
Not only does this ruin your chances of getting a good night’s rest, but it can also have negative effects on your overall health since BPH can quickly lead to a bladder infection or kidney damage. BPH can also impair your overall quality of life, as you will likely miss many moments while running back and forth to the bathroom.
The best way to take full advantage of your life is to discuss your symptoms with Dr. West to determine which course of treatment will be best for you and your unique case of BPH.
A Variety of Treatment Options
For many years a transurethral resection of the prostate has been the standard for treating issues of an enlarged prostate. While this surgery is still very suitable for this purpose, advanced technologies have made it possible for less invasive options to become just as effective.
UroLift
The UroLift® System has become a popular choice among many talented urologists for treating BPH in a way that limits potential complications and patient discomfort. During this procedure, implants will be placed to hold the prostate aside and allow the urethra to remain open and pass urine freely from the bladder.
Rezūm
This procedure is especially recent, as it was approved by the FDA in 2015 for use in the treatment of BPH. The Rezūm System utilizes water vapor to break up lesions in the tissue of the prostate. With these lesions now broken apart, the urinary channel no longer has formations of tissue pressing upon it, and is able to easily pass urine once again.
BPH Frequently Asked Questions
It is not perfectly clear as to what leads the prostate to grow larger and larger during a man’s life. Significant growth during puberty is expected and completely normal, though research shows that the prostate again begins slowly increasing in size from age 25 and continues throughout the man’s life.
Since gradual prostate growth is consistent among a large majority of men, it is extremely common for this condition to be diagnosed in those of an older age. Statistically speaking, BPH affects:
- 20% of men over 50
- 60% of men over 60
- 70% of men over 70
- 90% of men over 80
In addition to age, other risk factors include having a family history of BPH, being obese, leading a sedentary lifestyle that does not include regular exercise, having type 2 diabetes, and experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Men typically have the health of their prostate evaluated during yearly physical examinations with their physician. This simple screening is often able to detect superficial abnormalities of the prostate, such as unusually large sizing.
Patients who schedule a consultation with Dr. West regarding BPH will begin by thoroughly discussing their symptoms, personal medical history, and family medical history. A physical evaluation is often performed as well, and additional diagnostic tests may be ordered to analyze the functionality of the patient’s urinary system.
Not necessarily. Some patients may elect to hold off on treating their enlarged prostate and instead choose to monitor the progression of their symptoms over time. Dr. West will typically suggest more frequent checkups to regularly assess the health of the prostate and determine if the patient’s BPH is worsening.
While men can choose to avoid treating their BPH, it is highly encouraged to speak with a specialist about treatment options if symptoms caused by the condition are negatively affecting daily tasks and activities.
Lifestyle changes and medications are often the first options recommended for men that experience mild symptoms caused by BPH. Reducing liquid intake, avoiding stimulants, and practicing pelvic floor strengthening exercises can all help patients regain a bit more control over their urinary functions, while some forms of medications have shown to slow or completely stop the growth of the prostate.
Through new technological advancements within the healthcare industry, there are many minimally invasive procedures available to men suffering from more considerable urinary difficulties. These include:
- Laser Photovaporization
- Robotic Simple Prostatectomy
- High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)
- Rezūm™ Water Vapor Therapy
- The UroLift® System
In some instances, Dr. West may suggest surgery to offer patients with a more complex case of BPH to achieve effective relief from their symptoms. These traditional surgical procedures include transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) as well as transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP). Given Dr. West's unique expertise in BPH treatment, it is possible to avoid open surgery in favor of minimally invasive techniques.
Most patients will not experience severe complications caused by an enlarged prostate. However, it is entirely possible for BPH to lead to daily dysfunctions in a man’s life as he struggles to manage worsening symptoms, or for this condition to lead to significant damage to the kidneys, urinary tract, or bladder.
No. Because BPH is a benign condition, its symptoms have absolutely nothing to do with cancerous cell growth of the prostate.
Schedule an Enlarged Prostate Consultation
If you’re struggling with symptoms of BPH, don’t hesitate to see a specialist. Men in the Dallas area can visit the office of board-certified urologist Jeremy West, MD to get a proper diagnosis and get started on the road to recovery. Give us a call at 972-548-8195 today to schedule a consultation.