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Here are the most
commonly asked questions we hear from our patients. Please read through them to see if we address
your concern. If we don’t, feel free to call our office at 386-673-5100.
1. What is the prostate gland and what does it
do?
The prostate gland is situated
between the bladder and the rectum, partly surrounding the urethra which carries urine from the
bladder out of the body, and forms part of the male reproductive system, making and storing fluid
which forms part of a man's semen. The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut in an
adult.
2. What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a form of
cancer which normally appears late in life and tends to be slow growing. Prostate cancer is the
second most common form of cancer in the United States today and in 2006 some 235,000 men were
diagnosed with the disease and approximately 27,000 men died from it.
3. Who is likely to contract prostate cancer?
Men in general are at risk of
contracting prostate cancer, although as it is an age related disease, it tends to appear only from
about middle-age onwards with the risk of contracting the disease increasing with age. Prostate
cancer is more likely to appear in black men and where there is a family history of the
disease.
4. What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
In the early stages of the
disease there are normally few, if any symptoms, and it is possible to suffer from prostate cancer
for many years without even knowing it. When symptoms do start to appear they are likely to include
such things as difficulty in urinating, the need for frequent urination (especially at the night),
a poor flow or urine which tends to stop and start, painful urination, blood in the urine or semen,
pain when ejaculating and pain in the lower back, hips or upper part of the
thighs.
5. Can prostate cancer be cured?
Detected early enough,
yes.
6. What can you do to help me urinate less frequently at
night?
Discuss this with one of our
urologists during your appointment to be properly evaluated for the best course of
treatment.
7. What treatments are available for an enlarged prostate /
BPH?
There are many easy treatments
available, the key is to get checked early.
8. What is the overactive bladder? I hear about it on TV ads and in the
magazines.
The term "overactive bladder"
refers to bladder activity in people who urinate more than eight times during the day or more than
two times at night (when trying to sleep); or bladder activity in people who experience an extreme
urge to urinate and either lose bladder control before toileting or almost lose control. Many
treatments are available for this condition, and different treatment options will be effective for
different patients. Each patient is unique, and we recommend patient evaluations and personal
assessments of treatment options for each individual, as the problem is not the exact same in
everyone.
9. Is impotence (erectile dysfunction) an inevitable consequence of
aging?
No. Healthy men are able to
have sexual intercourse well into advanced ages. It is true that the frequency of erectile
dysfunction (ED) increases with age, but this is a consequence of age related medical disorders,
primarily vascular disease and in some cases adult onset diabetes mellitus.
10. Can Erectile Dysfunction Be Prevented?
For people who are at risk of developing ED due to personal behavior, such
as drinking too much alcohol, steps may be taken to prevent its occurrence. However, other causes
of ED may not be preventable.
11. How Is Erectile Dysfunction Treated?
There are many different ways
ED can be treated, including: oral medications, sex therapy, penile injections and surgery. Each
type of treatment has its own advantages and disadvantages. Talk to your doctor to determine the
best treatment for you.
12. How Successful Are Medications Such as Viagra at Treating ED in
Diabetics?
Medications such as Viagra are
generally successful therapy for erectile dysfunction, with about 50% of people achieving positive
results using the drug with a minimum of side effects.
13. Does Insurance Cover ED Treatment?
Insurance coverage of ED
depends upon the type of treatment prescribed. If there is a documented medical condition that is
shown to be causing ED, insurance will usually cover at least some of it. Sex therapy and
medications that have not yet been approved by the FDA, however, are generally not covered. Talk to
your insurance provider to determine if the treatment you are considering will be
covered.
14. What can I do to prevent more kidney
stones?
Obtain an evaluation from your
urologist to find out why you are predisposed to formation of kidney stones, and try to keep your
appointments for follow-up to keep track of (or promptly treat) any new stones that might
form.
15. How quickly can you stop my kidney stone
pain?
We can end your pain
immediatly.
16. How long is my first appointment expected to
take?
Your initial consultation may
take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the nature of your urologic
concern.
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