Treatment for Enlarged Prostate: Rezūm Therapy in Chattanooga, TN
Dr. Shridharani now offers relief with Rezūm, a unique treatment that uses steam to shrink enlarged prostate glands and improve urine flow.
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What is Rezūm?
Rezūm is a treatment for treating enlarged prostate (BPH). Approved by the FDA in late 2015, Rezūm uses the stored thermal energy in steam to treat the extra prostate tissue that is causing symptoms such as frequency, urgency, irregular flow, weak stream, straining, and getting up at night to urinate.
How does Rezūm work?
Rezūm is an outpatient treatment at Dr. Shridharani’s practice. Dr. Shridharani uses a hand-held device that passes through the urethra to reach the prostate. Once there, radiofrequency generated thermal energy is applied to water, creating steam. The steam is injected into the prostate tissue that is blocking the flow of urine from the bladder. Once injected, the water vapor immediately turns back to water, releasing the energy stored in the vapor into the cell membranes. The causes damage and eventual cell death in the enlarged tissues. This heating and injection is repeated across the areas of enlarged growth. As these cells die, the body simply absorbs and disposes of the dead cells and the prostate shrinks down, lessening pressure on the urethra. This enables improved urine flow.
What are the benefits of Rezūm?
Rezūm is a simple procedure that shows impressive results. It gives our patients these benefits:
- Potential alternative to BPH medications
- Relieves symptoms safely and effectively
- Provides noticeable symptom improvement within two weeks
- Simple in-office procedure
- Does not require general anesthesia
- Preserves sexual and urinary function
- Allows patients to return to regular activities in just a few days
In addition, one of the main reasons why people undergo this procedure is because it essentially has no sexual side effects. Medical therapy and other surgical therapies can lead to ejaculation issues, and other surgical therapies (like TURP) can lead to ED.
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Who is a good candidate for Rezūm treatment for BPH?
Dr. Shridharani will help determine if Rezūm would be effective for you. It is indicated for men 50 and older with a prostate volume of between 30cm3 and 80 cm3. Rezūm is for men who have elected to discontinue or not take BPH medication. It is also an option for men who are not bothered enough by their prostate symptoms to opt for invasive surgery to reduce the prostate.
What are the side effects with Rezūm?
While Rezūm has been shown to have fewer side effects than surgical therapies, patients may still experience the following:
- Painful urination
- Blood in the urine
- Blood in the semen
- Frequent urination
- Inability to urinate or completely empty the bladder
- Need for short-term catheterization
Most of the side effects resolve within three weeks of the procedure. To relieve the discomfort during the short-term healing process it helps to take mild over-the-counter pain relievers, take a warm bath or sit on a hot water bottle, and to eliminate caffeine, alcohol, and chocolate from your diet during recovery.
Rezūm has not been shown to cause erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, or urinary incontinence.
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How does the Rezūm treatment session go?
Dr. Shridharani performs the simple Rezūm treatment right in our Chattanooga offices. You should allow two hours from the time your arrive at our offices to the time you leave. The procedure doesn’t take that long, but time is necessary for the sedation to take effect. You’ll either be given oral sedation or local anesthesia in the form of a prostate block. The Rezūm probe is inserted into the urethra all the way up to the location of the prostate, which surrounds the urethra. The series of nine-second injections of the steam will be delivered into the prostate. After each injection the probe will be moved to another location for the next. There is a mild sting or warming sensation when the injections are made. The entire actual Rezūm procedure only takes from 10-15 minutes.
How soon can I return to regular activities?
Most patients can return to their normal activities with a few days.
How long will my results last?
Because Rezūm has only been performed since early 2016, there aren’t many long-term studies at this point. That being said, a study in December 2016 found that men who had Rezūm therapy showed a sustained 51 percent reduction in symptom severity at 24 months (these patients had been part of the FDA approval process).
Another study has shown that surgical retreatment rate is low after three years, 4.4%. This means that the results are sustained through three years, without sexual side effects.
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How Can I Prepare for Rezūm Treatment?
Preparing ahead of time for your BPH treatment with Rezūm can help minimize complications during your procedure. It will also help you achieve an easier and more successful recovery. Before arriving at your appointment, we recommend patients follow these pre-procedure instructions:
- Stay hydrated by drinking lots of fluids. Try to prioritize drinking water if you can.
- Before your treatment, eat a light meal.
- Before your treatment, you will be asked to eliminate urine. Ensure that you don’t go before you arrive.
- Arrange transportation with a loved one to drive you to and from your appointment, as a driver will be required to take you home.
What Is Recovery After Rezūm Like?
The recovery process after Rezūm treatment may vary from patient to patient. However, most patients will experience common side effects such as swelling of the prostrate and fatigue. During the first few weeks of your recovery, your BPH symptoms may get worse before they get better. Many people notice an improvement in their symptoms after several weeks. However, it may take up to three months to see a difference.
To ensure a complication-free recovery, we recommend patients do the following:
- Prioritize rest. This is important for your body to recover physically.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity for at least two weeks.
- Avoid taking non-prescription medications.
- Avoid any sexual activity, including sexual intercourse and masturbation, until cleared by your doctor.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to stay hydrated and flush your body of toxins.
- Avoid fluids that may irritate your bladder, including drinks that contain caffeine, carbonated beverages such as cola, and citrus fruit juices like orange juice or grapefruit juice.
If, at any point during your recovery, you experience complications, contact Dr. Shridharani as soon as possible. Our team is prepared to help you get the treatment you need, even after your primary Rezūm procedure.
What Is the Success Rate with Rezūm?
Results have shown that the Rezūm procedure is overall successful and does not require most patients any type of follow-up care. Studies have proven that less than 5% of people need additional procedures or surgeries within five years after the procedure.
What Are the Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate?
Knowing the symptoms of BPH can help you identify when you may need to seek professional treatment. Patients who have an enlarged prostate may experience the following BPH symptoms:
- Difficulty urinating
- Straining to urinate
- Having a weak flow of urine
- “Stop/Start” urinating
- The need to urinate frequently and urgently
- Unexpectedly needing to urinate
- Getting up from sleep to urinate
- Urinary incontinence
- Stress incontinence (leaking urine during straining movements such as coughing or sneezing)
What Happens If You Leave BPH Untreated?
If benign prostatic hyperplasia is left untreated, you will experience more severe symptoms, making your daily life more and more difficult over time. As your prostate glands become more enlarged, your urethra may become blocked. This can also lead to serious health conditions that will need even more medical attention, such as damage to your kidneys.
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, contact Dr. Shridharani as soon as possible.
Schedule a Consultation for Rezūm Treatment Today
If you are in Chattanooga or Knoxville, TN, Northern Georgia, Huntsville, AL, or the surrounding areas and have questions about Rezūm, don’t hesitate to contact the team at Dr. Shrid: Men’s Health and Microsurgery today. Under the care of board-certified urologist Dr. Anand Shridharani, you’ll be able to find long-lasting relief from BPH symptoms with Rezūm treatment. Call (423) 778-4MEN (4636) or click here to schedule an appointment today.
