Enlarged Prostate (BPH): Relief, Precision & Quality of Life at Healthcare International
Introduction
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as an
enlarged prostate, affects about 50% of men over 50 and up to 80% over
70—leading to frequent urination, weak stream, urgency, and nighttime trips to
the bathroom. At Healthcare International, we offer personalized,
international-standard diagnostics and a full spectrum of treatments—ranging
from lifestyle and medication to minimally invasive procedures and advanced
surgical care.
1. Understanding Enlarged Prostate & Impact on Life
BPH arises from hormone-driven prostate growth with age.
Core symptoms include:
- Frequent
or urgent urination
- Poor
stream, interrupted flow, straining
- Nocturia
(nighttime urination)
- Incomplete
bladder emptying
The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is used
globally to assess severity—from mild (0–7) to severe (20–35)—and guide
treatment planning.
If left untreated, BPH can lead to urinary retention,
bladder stones, infections, or kidney damage .
2. First-Line Care: Lifestyle & Medications
We begin with non-invasive strategies to manage BPH:
- Lifestyle
changes: limiting caffeine/alcohol, timed voiding, fluid scheduling,
regular exercise, stress reduction.
- Medications:
- Alpha‑blockers
(e.g., tamsulosin, silodosin) to relax smooth muscle and improve flow
- 5-alpha-reductase
inhibitors (dutasteride, finasteride) shrink gland tissue over months
- Combination
therapy for both immediate relief and long-term size control.
- Treatment
efficacy is assessed via IPSS and flow metrics; medication adjustments
made as needed.
3. Next-Level Relief: Minimally Invasive Procedures
When medications fall short—or patients wish to avoid
long-term drugs—Healthcare International provides a full menu of minimally
invasive options:
🔹 UroLift
Tiny implants lift prostate lobes away from the urethra to
restore flow, without cutting or removing tissue. Benefits include rapid
recovery, minimal side effects, and preservation of sexual function.
🔹 Rezūm Water Vapor Therapy
Delivers superheated steam to ablate excess tissue, causing
prostate shrinkage over time. It's performed outpatient, with minimal risk to
sexual function and fast symptom relief.
🔹 Aquablation (Water-Jet Ablation)
Robotic waterjet precisely removes tissue under real-time
ultrasound guidance. Early European trials show significantly lower ejaculatory
and incontinence side effects compared to laser-based options (~15% vs 77%
ejaculatory dysfunction).
🔹 Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE)
An interventional radiology technique that blocks blood flow
to prostate arteries, causing gland shrinkage. Studies show ~30% volume
reduction and symptom improvement in ~90% of cases, though chance of
retreatment exists.
🔹 Other options:
- Transurethral
Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT): catheter-delivered microwaves destroy
tissue, performed outpatient under local anesthesia
- Transurethral
Needle Ablation (TUNA): radiofrequency energy delivered via needles to
ablate tissue gradually—though higher retreatment rate reported
4. Advanced Surgical Care for Large or Refractory Prostates
For those with large prostate volumes (>80g) or
persistent severe symptoms, we offer:
- TURP
(Transurethral Resection of the Prostate): gold-standard surgery, with
symptom relief in ~85–90% of patients. Risks include bleeding and sexual
side effects.
- Laser
surgeries (GreenLight PVP, HoLEP): vaporize or enucleate tissue via
laser, less bleeding and shorter recovery.
- Robot-assisted
simple prostatectomy: for very large glands, offering precise removal
with faster recovery compared to open surgery.
5. Why Choose Healthcare International for BPH Treatment?
- Comprehensive
Diagnostics: IPSS scoring, uroflowmetry, imaging, PSA testing
- Tailored
Treatments: Select personalized therapy based on prostate size,
symptoms, and goals—prioritizing sexual function and quality of life
- International-Standard
Protocols: Aligned with global urology best practices
- High-Volume,
Expert Teams: Skilled urologists & interventional radiologists
performing advanced techniques
📋 Summary Table
|
Severity / Patient Preference |
Recommended Approach at Healthcare International |
|
Mild (IPSS ≤7) |
Lifestyle + watchful waiting; medications as needed |
|
Moderate symptoms or medication-intolerant |
UroLift®, Rezūm™, Aquablation, TUMT, TUNA |
|
Large prostate (>80 g)
or refractory |
TURP, Laser therapies (GreenLight, HoLEP), Robot-assisted
prostatectomy |
|
Prioritize sexual function |
UroLift®, Aquablation, Rezūm™ (lowest sexual side effect
profile) |
6. Real Impact: Patient Experience & Outcomes
A 57-year-old from Vadodara underwent UroLift™ after
long-term medication failure. Post-procedure urine flow improved from 9 ml/sec to 20.7 ml/sec—demonstrating
rapid and meaningful relief with no sexual side effects reported.
Surveys reveal many men delay discussing BPH due to embarrassment. Yet effective, low-risk treatments are available—and quality-of-life improvements are substantial when addressed early.
Conclusion
BPH is a highly treatable condition with preserved quality
of life—and at Healthcare International, our goal is to deliver the most
effective yet minimally invasive care possible. From medications to innovative
procedures, we help men regain urinary comfort and dignity.
If you’re experiencing urinary symptoms and seeking
personalized solutions, contact Healthcare International today for a
consultation tailored to your prostate and lifestyle goals.
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