Benign prostatic hyperplasia, commonly referred to as BPH, is an enlarging of the prostate and is a common condition in older men. In fact, among men over the age of 75, about half experience BPH symptoms. The condition is not cancerous, but it can lead to serious complications such as blocking the urethra and interfering with urination. In many cases BPH does not require medical intervention, but patients with severe symptoms may need medication or even surgery. One popular option is GreenLight Laser Therapy, which is less invasive than surgery but can provide relief for many of the symptoms associated with BPH. It’s also covered by most insurers.
What Is GreenLight Laser Therapy?
GreenLight uses a small fiber inserted into the urethra to direct a high-powered laser light into the area to heat the tissue that’s causing the enlargement. This heat removes the unwanted tissue to restore the prostate to a healthy size.
Shorter Recovery Time
GreenLight is typically performed on an outpatient basis, either at a hospital or at a physician’s office that offers surgical procedures. Most patients don’t need to stay in the hospital overnight, unless they have other conditions or are in overall poor health and need to be monitored. Symptom relief is also often quick as well. In fact, patients often experience improved urine flow in as little as 24 hours. GreenLight is a nearly bloodless procedure that’s suitable even for patients who are not candidates for traditional types of surgery. Patients may experience minor discomfort for a week or two after the procedure. For example, they may experience mild burning when they urinated, but this is usually easily managed with pain or anti-inflammatory medications.
Long-lasting Relief
Studies have shown that the positive effects of GreenLight last for at least five years. In addition, patients can typically discontinue any BPH medications they were taking before the procedure. This means that most patients can stop worrying about their BPH and return to enjoying life without symptoms and without a daily regimen of medication.
History of Success
GreenLight has been around since 1997 and been performed on over 500,000 patients all over the world. With such a solid track record, you can rest assured that it’s a safe procedure with well-documented positive results. Plus, you can undergo the procedure even if you’ve previously had other types of surgery for BPH.
If you’re looking for urologists in Las Vegas who perform GreenLight Laser Therapy, book an appointment today with Dr. Lawrence Newman. Our caring, knowledgeable staff can answer your questions about BPH and GreenLight Laser Therapy, and help you obtain relief from your symptoms.