The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system, located just below the bladder, that helps make semen. As men age, this small organ increases in size, obstructing urine flow.
This health problem, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, affects 50% of men over the age of 50 and 80% of men over the age of 70, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“Frequent need to urinate, getting up in the night to urinate, inability to empty the bladder completely, problems with dribbling, early urination, and weak urine stream are signs of an enlarged prostate. A urologist at San Lucas Episcopal Medical Center in Ponce, Dr. Other less common symptoms are not being able to urinate or having blood in the urine, said Javier Castillo Ortiz.
“A doctor should be consulted when these symptoms are already visible, such as, for example, stopping the urge to urinate or suffering from frequent urinary infections,” said the expert, after indicated that genetics, diabetes and obesity can cause this condition, in addition to age.
He stresses that prostate size does not determine the severity of benign prostatic hyperplasia. “One can have a large prostate and urinate well or have a small prostate and present symptoms,” he explained.
Currently, there are minimally invasive or bloodless treatments that can treat an enlarged prostate, such as green light laser therapy.
During laser prostate surgery, an endoscope is inserted into the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. The prostate surrounds the urethra and, if enlarged, blocks urine flow. According to the Mayo Clinic, the laser is passed through the endoscope, reducing or removing excess tissue that restricts urine flow.
“It is an outpatient intervention, effective and covered by medical plans. Both the procedure and recovery are quick. In less than 24 hours, usually, the patient is urinating better than before,” commented Castillo Ortiz. About a thousand men have benefited from this treatment at San Lucas Episcopal Medical Center, he said.
Likewise, the doctor stressed that, if left untreated, the disease does not increase the risk of prostate cancer, but it does increase the risk of kidney and bladder failure and even erectile dysfunction.
To make an appointment with Dr. Castillo Ortiz, you can call 787-259-7293. For information about San Lucas Episcopal Medical Center and the services it provides, visit their website at www.sanlucaspr.org, call 787-844-2080 or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube Follow on
