We hear it all the time – “I waited way too long to do something about my prostate.” Here at KCUC, we want men to know that they don’t have to live with the annoying urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate, also known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Dr. Gerald Park, one of our urologists, just did an online BPH talk for North Kansas City Hospital where he explains Aquablation, a cutting-edge BPH treatment that reduces urinary symptoms while preserving sexual function. Dr. Park was the first urologist in Kansas City to perform Aquablation at North Kansas City Hospital. In this video, he discusses the symptoms, diagnosis evaluation, and treatment options of BPH while spotlighting Aquablation as an excellent option for the removal of prostate tissue.
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate
Because the prostate gland surrounds the urethra (tube used to urinate), an enlarged prostate can put pressure on that tube causing many urinary symptoms. Here are the most common symptoms:
- Frequency – urinating eight or more times a day
- Nocturia – getting up to urinate during periods of sleep
- Urgency – the inability to delay urination
- Trouble starting urination
- A weak or intermittent urine stream
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- Inability to empty bladder completely
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate Will Get Worse
In men, the prostate will continue to grow as you age. About 50% of men over the age of 50 have enlarged prostates. If you are a man over 50, you may be starting to experience the common urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate. So how do you know when it’s time to see a urologist? Take the IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) test. This series of seven simple questions can tell you if your prostate is starting to affect your quality of life. Take five minutes to complete the test and see where you stand. A score of 0 to 7 indicates mild symptoms, 8 to 19 indicates moderate symptoms and 20 to 35 indicates severe symptoms. If you score 8 or above, it warrants a discussion with a urologist.
Fewer Side Effects with Aquablation
Aquablation is the first automated robotic surgery for BPH. Because Aquablation Therapy allows the surgeon to create a map, he/she can identify specific anatomy that maintains sexual function and urinary continence and preserve it. During the procedure, a robotically controlled, heat-free water jet removes unwanted prostate tissue. This robotic technology ensures that the prostate tissue is removed with precision. All of these advantages combined result in fewer side effects. Most men retain urination, erection, and ejaculation function.
Aquablation Therapy Delivers Promising Results
Clinical studies have shown that Aquablation therapy offers significant symptom relief and low rates of irreversible complications across prostates of all sizes and shapes. The results are impressive:
- 2 times improvement in flow of urine
- 10 out of 10 men preserve continence
- 10 out of 10 men preserve erections
- 9 out of 10 men preserve ejaculation
Our surgeons have more experience and more expertise when it comes to Aquablation therapy than any other urology group in the KC Metro. Learn more about this world class technology in this BPH video with Dr. Park.