When a resident of Myrtle Beach, SC has a bladder control issue, they often schedule an appointment with their primary care physician. However, there are many issues for which a PCP will refer a patient to a specialist, such as a urologist. Urologists treat conditions of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system. Men experiencing frightening or embarrassing symptoms like bloody urine or testicular pain should see a urologist as soon as possible.
Erectile Dysfunction
More than half of men over the age of 40 experience some symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED). Erectile dysfunction treatment provided by urologists include:Oral Medications
Some medications can treat ED. One of the most common ones used is sildenafil citrate, better known by it the brand name Viagra. This medication in conjunction with sexual stimulation produces an erection.Vacuum Erection Devices
A vacuum erection device is a tube that is placed over the penis. It uses a pump that is hand or battery-powered to create a vacuum that forces blood into the penis. After the man achieves a full erection, he places a plastic ring around the base of his penis to keep blood in and maintain his erection for as long as necessary.Penile Implants
A penile implant is a discrete device that is surgically placed inside the man’s body that allows him to maintain an erection for as long as desired whenever he feels it necessary. This method carries more risks than the others, so men should consider them carefully before agreeing to this procedure.Injections
Injection therapy involves using a syringe to inject a vasodilator directly into the penis. This causes the blood vessels in the penis to widen and become engorged with blood. It is widely considered the most effective non-surgical method of ED treatment.Intraurethral Suppositories
An intraurethral suppository is a small pellet that is inserted into the urethra. The pellet releases a vasodilator that increases blood flow to the penis, resulting in an erection.Low Testosterone
Low testosterone is a condition in which a man’s body cannot produce testosterone or sperm, and sometimes both. Low sperm can make it difficult for men to fertilize an egg. Male fertility treatment can improve their sperm production, increasing the chances of egg fertilization. The treatments offered by Myrtle Beach urologists include Testopel or Aveed® testosterone replacement therapy. Testopel is a testosterone pellet that is inserted by the urologist into a fatty layer of the skin, such as the hip. It slowly dissolves over 4 months, releasing testosterone to treat the condition. Aveed® is an injection that contains testosterone and is given at the doctor’s office. It is maintained through five injections per year and has a 94% effective rate.Kidney Stone
Kidney stones treatment includes non-surgical extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. This treatment involves the use of shock waves to break up the stones so they can easily pass through the urethra. A patient either sits in water while x-rays locate the kidney stones so that shock waves can be directed at them, or a patient lies on a cushion that emits low shock waves for about 60 minutes.Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer treatment in Myrtle Beach, SC involves the following three options:Tissue Sparing Prostate Ablation
Tissue sparing prostate ablation is a minimally invasive cancer treatment in which only the parts of the prostate with cancer cells present are treated. This can remove tumors without having to undergo risky surgeries that can damage surrounding areas, causing erectile dysfunction or urinary incontinence.SpaceOAR® Hydrogel
For men who will undergo radiation treatment for prostate cancer, SpaceOAR® Hydrogel minimizes the side effects. A doctor gives their patient anesthesia, then inserts the SpaceOAR® Hydrogel between the prostate and the rectum. This reduces the amount of radiation to which the rectum is exposed and helps the doctor target the areas with cancer. This can also reduce the number of treatment sessions required.Uronav ® Fusion Prostate Biopsy
A prostate biopsy is the most reliable method of cancer screening available, but the prostate is a difficult area to access. Uronav ® fusion prostate biopsies use MR prostate images and live ultrasound-guided biopsy needles to get a full picture of the prostate and better target suspicious masses. This leads to a 30% improvement in identifying aggressive prostate cancers.Incontinence
There are several methods of incontinence treatment for both men and women, including the following:Botox® for Overactive Bladder
Botox® is a powerful treatment that is injected into the bladder muscle every six months. It blocks the nerve signals that trigger bladder muscles to contract uncontrollably. Most patients experience a 50% leak reduction.InterStim
InterStim is a device that is surgically implanted near the sacral nerve. It releases small electrical impulses into the sacral nerve, which help control urinary muscles. This device aids the communication between the brain and bladder so men and women experience less leakage because of incontinence.Urgent® PC Therapy
Urgent® PC is a device that gently modifies the signals the cause overactive bladder. An electrical impulse is sent through an acupuncture-like needle inserted near a person’s ankle. These impulses travel through the needle electrode to the nerves in the pelvis to help control bladder function. This procedure is done periodically at a doctor’s office and takes about 30 minutes.Bladder Problem Diagnostics
Urology offices in Myrtle Beach, SC use urodynamics to diagnose bladder problems. This is done by inserting a small catheter into the urethra or rectum to perform the following tests:- Uroflowmetry – measuring the speed and amount of urine produced
- Cystogram study – Determines how the bladder holds urine, including capacity and control.
- Pressure flow study – Used to locate possible obstructions
- EMG – measures a person’s ability to control their sphincter
Bladder Cancer Treatment
Bladder cancer treatment involves accurate diagnosis by performing a cystoscopy. A cystoscopy is done with anesthesia or moderate sedation and involves doctors inserting a cystoscope fitted with white and blue light into a person’s bladder. Before the insertion, their bladder is instilled with hexaminolevulinate HCl, or Cysview®, which makes cancerous cells glow fluorescent pink in the blue light. The result is a significantly increased rate of cancer detection.BPH
Enlarged prostate, also known as BPH, is common as men age. BPH treatment involves the following:The UroLift® Treatment System
The UroLift® Treatment System involves inserting a device into the obstructed urethra that places implants in the prostate. These implants hold the prostate away from the urethra, leaving it open enough to relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate.Rezum for Enlarged Prostate
Rezum is a transurethral water vapor therapy that is minimally invasive and highly effective in relieving symptoms of an enlarged prostate. It works by injecting water vapor into the prostate, reducing the extra tissue that is causing a person’s BPH related symptoms.GreenLight® Laser Therapy
GreenLight® Laser Therapy is an outpatient procedure in which a urologist uses a laser to heat and vaporize extra prostate tissue. Patients experience symptom relief almost immediately.Urocuff
Urocuff is a non-invasive diagnostic testing for male urinary disorders. It involves using a pneumatic cuff that is fitted to a man’s penis to measure the amount of urine produced, the flow rate, and the pressure generated by the bladder. As men age, they will probably need to visit a urologist at some point. Knowing what conditions a urologist treats is vital for urinary and male reproductive system health. Call now to schedule an appointment or get more information.
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