Our interventional radiologists at the Georgia Prostate Institute regularly perform arterial embolization. But what is arterial embolization? This procedure shuts off blood flow to certain parts of your body to promote therapeutic effects. To start, we inject embolic material, via catheter, to arteries or veins, preventing blood movement without harming your health.
While this treatment has been around since the 1970s, today, the treatment has been refined and perfected. Now, it's an FDA-approved therapeutic treatment for a variety of conditions, including the side effects of an enlarged prostate. Let's take a closer look at how this minimally-invasive treatment delivers relief!
What is arterial embolization?
As a minimally invasive procedure, you can undergo AE without general anesthesia. Plus, most patients avoid an overnight hospital, and enjoy a post-procedure recovery period that's far easier than recovering from any kind of surgery.
As we mentioned, interventional radiologists have spent years perfecting arterial embolization treatments. In the process, we've discovered many new treatment avenues, including AE for varicocele (varicose veins of the scrotum) and AE for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, a condition that's also referred to as an enlarged prostate.) When we use AE to treat the prostate enlargement, we reference Prostate Arterial Embolization, or PAE.
Prostate Arterial Embolization (PAE) Treatment in Georgia
Our experts are so excited about the FDA's recent decision to approve AE as a less invasive treatment option for BPH and LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) because it allows us to help a wide range of patients avoid surgery or medications while finding effective relief. For that reason, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our interventional radiologists in Georgia. Together, we can determine if you are a candidate for this less invasive BPH treatment option at Georgia Prostate Institute.
Are you searching for ways to treat BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)? Or do you need to understand this condition, identify symptoms and learn when to ask for help? We'll provide answers to those questions (and more!) in today's post.
What is BPH?
This common condition affects men by enlarging their prostates, in turn leading to a wide array of symptoms. Now, getting a diagnosis may be confusing, since many men's symptoms look very different from what's 'typical.' Yet the most common BPH effects are classified as Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) such as:
- The sudden need to urinate without prior warning or an ability to control that urge
- Incontinence
- Nocturia, or waking up to urinate at least twice in the middle of the night
- Difficulties starting the flow of urine
- Straining to urinate
- Painful urination
- Inability to fully empty the bladder
- Dribbling flow of urine at the end of a bathroom trip
- Frequent Urinary Tract Infections
- Blood in the urine or bladder stones
- Reduced bladder capacity (decompensation)
What Causes BPH
We don't know why some men develop BPH and others don't. However, we know that age, testosterone levels, and changes to the cells of the testicles increase the risk for prostate enlargement. And the problem is common, since most men over 40 have at least mild prostate enlargement, but almost all men over 80 develop BPH.
Should I Treat BPH?
You'll decide to treat an enlarged prostate when symptoms become intrusive to your daily life. Plus, symptom severity can determine the best treatment option. For some men, making lifestyle changes like, urinating as soon as you feel the urge; limiting alcohol and caffeine intake; exercising regularly; managing tension; and avoiding decongestants and antihistamines can help treat the symptoms of BPH
But some men will need medical interventions to find relief. In the past, the only options were taking prescription medications or scheduling surgery. But today we can treat BPH with Prostate Aretery Embolization (PAE), a minimally invasive, out-patient procedure.
Treat BPH with PAE
The American Urologic Association and FDA now approve PAE to treat BPH. This is a minimally invasive, same-day, outpatient procedure that relieves BPH symptoms with minimal risks for sexual side effects or incontinence. Performed with mild sedation or general anesthesia, our Georgia interventional radiologists start PAE by inserting a small catheter into your wrist. Next, guided by X-ray technology, we insert beads to block the prostate's blood flow, causing it to shrink within two weeks of the procedure. In turn, bothersome BPH symptoms should improve, and you may even enjoy improved sexual health.
Ready to treat BPH without surgery or added side effects? Contact the Georgia Prostate Institute today. We'll review your symptoms and determine if you're a candidate for PAE.
