Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is a condition in which the prostate enlarges as men get older. BPH is a very common condition that affects over 42 million men in the US1 and over 660 million aging men worldwide.
Over 40% of men in their 50s and over 70% of men in their 60s have BPH. While BPH is a benign condition and unrelated to prostate cancer, it can greatly affect a man’s quality of life. As the prostate enlarges, it presses on and blocks the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms. If left untreated, BPH can lead to permanent bladder damage.
Symptoms may include:
- Frequent need to urinate both day and night
- Weak or slow urinary stream
- A sense that you cannot completely empty your bladder
- Difficulty or delay in starting urination
- Urgent feeling of needing to urinate
- A urinary stream that stops and starts
Symptoms of BPH can cause loss of productivity, depression, and decreased quality of life. If you suffer from the above symptoms, you are not alone. BPH is the leading reason men visit a urologist.
You can measure your BPH symptoms by taking the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire. Sharing this information with your physician will help them understand the severity of your symptoms.
Now at Knox Community Hospital, a procedure called prostatic urethral lift is available to patients who meet certain criteria. Using the UroLift® System, this minimally invasive procedure provides treatment for an enlarged prostate. It is a proven option for patients looking for an alternative to medications or major surgery.
The UroLift® System uses small implants to open the prostate blockage and does not require heating or cutting tissue. The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia and patients typically return home the same day without a catheter. If you have been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate due to BPH, consult with your physician to determine which treatment option is right for you. To learn more about the procedure or about BPH, visit https://www.urolift.com/
