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Northstar Urology - Patient Education
We have included brief descriptions of common Urologic Conditions and Treatment Options. As with all medical conditions, please consult your physician to receive a correct and timely diagnosis. Northstar Urology can help you explore the treatment options and select the therapy most suitable for you.
Please call our main number 970-569-7725 for more information or to make an appointment.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Approximately 50 percent of men in their 60s and over 90 percent of men in their 80s have some element of voiding dysfunction; however, in the great majority of cases, there are excellent treatments for this benign condition (BPH). BPH rarely is caused by prostate cancer. Nevertheless, BPH should be evaluated; if allowed to progress, BPH can result in urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney failure, or complete loss of the ability to urinate.
There are very successful therapies for BPH; starting with medications. Some of the medications used to treat BPH may have the desirable side effect of lowering blood pressure. An increasing number of men have selected the use of over-the-counter herbal products, such as Saw Palmetto, due to their easy availability and claims of effectiveness. Saw Palmetto has been found to provide small benefits. As with all herbal medicines, it is not controlled by the FDA and thus there is no standardization as to the dose per capsule or between brands. Other “prostate health” herbal medicines are generally lacking any proof of effectiveness.
Surgery is an option for men who are not responding well to medications. Some of the surgical options do not require an incision, other surgeries require a short hospital stay. In addition, there are minimally invasive treatments including microwave and radio-frequency.
Northstar Urology and Vail Valley Medical Center are one of the first Colorado locations to use the GreenLight™ Laser Therapy. GreenLight™ Laser Therapy is a treatment that combines the effectiveness of the traditional surgical procedure known as "Trans Urethral Resection of the Prostate" (TURP) with fewer side effects. GreenLight™ Laser Therapy uses laser energy to remove enlarged prostate tissue. You can visit the American Medical Systems website to learn more about this exciting technology.
Kidney StonesKidney stones are formed when minerals are not properly eliminated from the body. Stones while in the kidney rarely cause symptoms. Painful symptoms occur when the stone moves to the bladder. This pain is generally felt in the side and back, with radiation around to the front and groin as the stone works its way lower, and can be accompanied by severe vomiting. In some cases high fever can develop – in this instance, or if you are diabetic or have only one kidney, you should seek medical attention immediately!
Two state-of-the-art techniques minimally invasive methods to remove your kidney stone are available. Northstar Urology can help you evaluate which therapy is best for you. The first of these is called Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL). The patient receives either brief general anesthesia or deep sedation. Then, the shock generator is gently placed against the patient's side, and after using fluoroscopy to precisely locate the stone, a series of highly focused shocks are administered that pass easily through the body. The shocks are absorbed by the stone only, resulting in the stone breaking up. The great majority of patients will pass the stone painlessly as dust on their next urination. For stones that have migrated toward the bladder, a very small scope can be used that allows the stone to be seen where it has come to block the tube and cause pain. Depending on the size of the stone, it can either be extracted, or it can be fragmented and removed with a special type of laser. Vail Valley Medical Center has this laser on 24 hour a day standby to deal specifically with emergencies created by obstructing stones.
For patients with recurrent kidney stones diet and medication can be tailored to prevent further occurrences of stone formation.
No-Scalpel Vasectomy
No-scalpel vasectomy is a special type of vasectomy that has been shown to have much lower rates of complication and pain than any other. The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is virtually pain-free. Patients rarely need pain medicine afterwards, and are able to resume full activity within 1-2 weeks.
Peyronie’s Disease
This is a potentially devastating scarring or “fibrosis” disease of the penis that usually results in some combination of curvature, deformity, and pain (either with or without erections). It is often associated with erectile dysfunction (“ED” or “impotence”). Its cause is unknown, although there is often trauma to the penis. Evaluation consists of a patient history, physical exam, and an ultrasound evaluation of the penis (this is painless and done in the office). Occasionally, further evaluation may be necessary. Treatments may include medication and/or surgery. Surgery is often necessary if there is severe ED or if the deformity is so much that intercourse is impossible. Dr. Brant has specialized fellowship training in this disease and so we are able to offer a variety of surgical options.
Erectile Dysfunction (ED)/Impotence
Erectile Dysfunction can be caused by many things, including aging, medications, other medical diseases (such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or diabetes), treatments for pelvic and abdominal cancers (surgery, radiation, or medication) stress, etc. It is usually diagnosed by patient history and physical examination, but occasionally more involved testing is required. There are a wide variety of treatments available, ranging from pills to surgery and many options between. Dr. Brant has specialized fellowship training in ED and so we are able to offer the full-range of diagnostic evaluations, medical treatments, and surgical interventions.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer remains the most common non-skin cancer in men and is second only to lung cancer is its deadliness. Being older than 50, having a father or brother with prostate cancer, and being African-American are all things that should prompt evaluation. Prostate cancer may be suspected if you have either an abnormality on your rectal exam OR an elevated blood test, known as PSA. Many other things can cause increased PSA or an abnormal exam, and cancer can only be detected with a biopsy, done in the office. If prostate cancer is found, treatment depends on many factors. For patients with disease that seems to be in the prostate only, there are many treatment options and we offer the full range, including radical prostatectomy and cryosurgery. We are part of the Shaw Regional Cancer Center and have a multidisciplinary Genito-urinary cancer clinic, where experts in radiation oncology and medical oncology as well as associated fields (dietary, social work, etc) work together to tailor the perfect treatment of each patient.
Kidney (Renal) Cancer
Kidney cancer may or may not have symptoms and is frequently diagnosed incidentally. During a CT scan or ultrasound study for some other reason a kidney abnormality may be found. Often, early kidney cancers may be cured surgically. We offer a wide range of surgical treatments, including laparoscopic nephrectomy (removal of the kidney with smaller incisions than the traditional open approach), partial nephrectomy (removal of the diseased part of the kidney only), cryosurgery (freezing the tumor), etc. For more advanced cases of kidney cancer, we are part of the Shaw Regional Cancer Center and have a multidisciplinary Genito-urinary cancer clinic, where experts in radiation oncology and medical oncology as well as associated fields (dietary, social work, etc) work together to tailor the perfect treatment of each patient.
Fertility
When a couple is found to be incapable of having a child, there may be correctible abnormalities on the male or female side. Problems include varicoceles (abnormal veins near the testicles that injure sperm), hormonal problems and obstructions. We can investigate the possible causes of male infertility and offer surgical or medical therapies where appropriate.
Female Incontinence
Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. The diagnosis is made with a combination of patient history, physical examination, patient diaries of their urinary habits. Once the diagnosis is made, there are a wide range of treatment options, ranging from changes in behavior/habits to medication to surgery.
Northstar Urology - Patient Education
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