|
Usual cure
If your symptoms are not troubling, your doctor
may suggest that you wait before starting any treatment. In that
case, you will need regular checkups to make sure the condition
does not get worse.
Should you have BPH, usual treatment is:
· Alpha-blockers (some generic names are
doxasozin, terazosin) are medicines that can relax muscles near
the prostate and ease symptoms. Side effects may include headaches,
dizziness, or feeling lightheaded or tired.
· Finasteride (Proscar) acts on the male
hormone (testosterone) to shrink the prostate. Side effects of
this medication can include less interest in sex and problems
with erection or ejaculation.
· Surgery also can relieve symptoms. But
surgery can cause complications. Also, it does not protect against
prostate cancer. Talk with your doctor about this treatment choice.
Regular checkups are important even for men who have had BPH surgery.
There are three kinds of surgery:
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is
the most common type of surgery. While the patient is under anesthesia,
the doctor uses a special device to take out part of the prostate
and remove the blockage.
Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) may
be used when the prostate is not too enlarged. The doctor makes
a few small cuts in the prostate near the opening of the bladder.
This relaxes the bladder muscles and improves the flow of urine.
Open surgery is used when the prostate is very enlarged.
In this process, prostate tissue is removed directly rather than
through the urethra.
Prostate Cancer
If the diagnosis of prostate cancer is made, the doctor will often
advise that treatment be undertaken. Surgery, radiation therapy,
or medications may be discussed, depending on the extent of the
cancer. The doctor will advise on the treatments most appropriate
for a particular patient. Because of their slow growth, some small,
early-stage prostate cancers may not require treatment, especially
in patients who are very old or very ill.
<< Back
|
