Health / Sponsored Feature
Are you waking up to the symptoms of an enlarged prostate?
Conversations about a man’s prostate are usually very embarrassing or uncomfortable. However, Consultant Urologists Professor Raj Persad and Mr Anthony Koupparis of Spire Bristol Hospital are promoting the awareness of symptoms and treatments surrounding this topic to get men talking.
Despite thousands of men suffering from it on a daily basis, an enlarged prostate isn’t exactly the usual choice of conversation over a pint at your local. The condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) does not occur because of the presence of cancer, but due to the fact the prostate continues to grow throughout most of a man’s adult life. The condition itself is not a threat to a man’s health, but it can have dramatic impacts on the quality of life for an individual.
BPH puts pressure on the bladder causing a variety of symptoms including; having difficulty when starting to urinate; a weak urine flow (stopping and starting); a sensation of not fully emptying your bladder and even having to urinate more frequently (especially at night), subsequently disrupting your sleeping patterns and likewise that of your partner. A midnight trip to the bathroom is never warmly welcomed by anyone.
is needed now More than ever
Doctor talking with patient in doctors office
We asked Consultants Professor Persad and Mr Koupparis of Spire Bristol Hospital, what can be done if diagnosed with an enlarged prostate?
“Sometimes presentation of prostate cancer can mimic the symptoms of BPH, so I advise you to consult your GP at the earliest opportunity to be sure. As for treatment for BPH, the mainstream therapy to date has been tablets for milder forms of prostatic obstruction or surgery for the more severe.
Surgery can be fraught with side-effects – excessive bleeding, incontinence and sexual problems – whilst tablets may be ineffective or cause sexual function problems.” said Consultant Urologist, Mr Koupparis.
There is, however, a revolutionary technique available which is suitable for most men, bringing relief, improved quality of life and minimal side-effects.
“A new treatment called UroLift avoids the invasiveness of surgery and the unwanted side effects of tablets. It involves no blood loss or ‘cutting’ and takes 10-15 minutes for implants to be inserted into the prostate, prising open the prostatic urethra, restoring urinary flow and satisfactory bladder function.” explained Professor Persad
“’It is being hailed the new minimally invasive treatment of the future for the majority of those with troublesome symptoms due to BPH – only in rare cases with atypical prostate anatomy is Urolift unsuitable” He continued.
UroLift is available at Spire Bristol Hospital and patients can usually be in and out of hospital within the same day. The treatment is increasing in popularity as men can be put off by traditional surgical methods for fear of becoming impotent.
For more information on the procedure or to book an appointment to see a Consultant Urologist, contact Spire Hospital Bristol today on 0117 980 4080 or email [email protected].
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