Jul
22
HEART DISEASE AND HIGH CHOLESTEROL
July 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment
HEART DISEASE AND HIGH CHOLESTEROL
• Use olive oil in cooking and on salads *****
• Try limiting high-carb foods
• Ask your MD about taking 160 milligrams of
aspirin
• Consider taking fish oil *****
• Combine grape juice and Certo *****
• Drink pomegranate juice *****
• Nibble walnuts four or five times a week *****
• Treat yourself to a little dark chocolate ***
• Take niacin to lower cholesterol ***
• Consider taking magnesium to prevent
atherosclerosis
• Experiment with coenzyme Q,, ***
• Swallow psyllium three times a day ***
•Try red yeast rice ***
• Ask your doctor about statins ****
• If statins cause trouble, ask about Zetia ***
• Ask about fibrate alternatives such as TriCor ***
• Ask about the bile acid binder WelChol
Despite the billions of dollarsspent each year on cholesterol-lowering drugs, heart disease remains our country’s number one killer albuterol false positive test methamphetamine . More than 650,CM Americans—about one erson every minute—die annually from a “coronary event lmg to penicillin . More than 1 million people will have a heart attack this year, and 175,000 probably will not even realize that they suffered “silent” damage to the heart MUSCle ivermectin for scabies .420
Although these stars may seem overwhelming, we are making some progress claritin chewable tablets . Deaths from heart disease have been trending downward over the last 30 years aleve coupons .421 That’s the good news trileptal keppra .’rhe bad news is that even though the trend is in the right direction, you or someone you know is at great risk of dying of heart disease lithium ion phosphate . According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every three adults (71,300,000) has cardiovascular disease appetite change with metformin .422
So what can you do to avoid having a heart attack? If you watch the ads for cholesterol-lowering drugs like Lipitor (atorvastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), and Zocor (simvastatin), you would think that about the only thing that matters is getting your cholesterol under 200 celebrex and uses . For decades Americans have been told that cholesterol is the most important risk factor for heart disease lithium nitrate for concrete . The cholesterol theory evolved from experiments carried out in the middle of the 20th century is lipitor available in generic form . Scientists found they could force rabbits to develop plaque in their arteries by feeding them butter and cheese no prescription order viagra online . As a result of this research, fat was vilified, and most physicians forbade eggs because the yolks were high in cholesterol allegra software . Eating eggs, in fact, became tantamount to a sin kamagra uk site . Needless to say, eating butter or steak was even worse about the drug celebrex .
All of these recommendations were presented as if they were chiseled in stone how long before prilosec works . The health gurus set them forth as facts rather than articles of faith louisiana swartz accident accutane legal career . Millions of people gave up eggs and started eating high-carbohydrate breakfasts consisting of cereal, toast, or pancakes viagra emails . They thought they were protecting thecasckwv when to increase clomid dose ovulation . imm heart disease drug precautions for viagra . Now it turns out that most, if not all, of these dietary guidelines were built on a foundation of shifting sand selegiline uk .
Cholesterol Conundrum
The late Robert Atkins was ostracized when he challenged the low-fat, high-carb orthodoxy dexamethasone fda . Cardiologists condemned his high-protein weight-loss diet, which included eggs, bacon, and steak aleve stomach bleeding . They were sure cholesterol levels would skyrocket if people ate such sinful food can atenolol cause diabetes .
When scientists actually did the research on healthy people, they could find no problem associated with people consuming cholesterol pravastatin tabs . The conclusion: “Analyses of several studies have also failed to find an association between the incidence of CHD [coronary heart disease> and egg consumption chloramphenicol acne .”423 If anything, eating eggs converts more dangerous LDL cholesterol into a less hazardous form cialis online sale .424,425
Far more heretical than the discovery that eggs posed no problem for healthy people was the observation that an Atkins-type diet did not lead to hellfire and brimstone pictures of allegra beck versace . Research published in the prestigious Annals of Internal Medicine reported that “over 24 weeks, a low-carbohydrate diet program led to greater weight loss, reduction in serum triglyceride level, and increase in HDL [good> cholesterol level compared with a low-fat diet accutane a miracle cure .”426 For this particular study, participants were permitted unlimited amounts of animal foods (meat, fowl, fish, and shellfish), unlimited eggs, 4 ounces of hard cheese cheap soma online order now . 2 cups of salad vegetables (such as lettuce, spinach, or celery) xenical precio venezuela . and I cup of low-carbohydrate vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower, or squash) daily requip blurred vision .427
Other studies have also demonstrated that a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat Atkins-t~pe diet can have a beneficial impact on blood fats augmentin withdrawal symptoms .428 generic cialis pills and generic viagra .419 paxil effect sodium .4-1( In one of the most astonishing experiments ever conducted, overweight patients with existing cardiovascular disease were switched from a diet that was low in saturated fats and cholesterol to a diet that was high in saturated fats and cholesterol and devoid of starches zoloft may . They continued taking their statin medications with no change in dose low testosterone and depression .
Before the experiment, these patients followed their cardi-
F,
‘We need to acknowledge that diverse healthy populations
experience no risk in developing coronary heart disease by increasing their intake of cholesterol, but, in contrast, they may have multiple beneficial effects by the inclusion of eggs in their regular diet pravachol bristol meyers squib .”431
—M prednisone and blisters side effect . L lipitors journals quizilla . Fernandez, Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, ologists’ instructions to eat no more than two eggs a week and restrict red meat to less than three servings a week generic medication of elavil . During the 6-week experiment, they were to eat two to four eggs daily and half a pound of red meat at each meal testosterone enanthate injection site pain . Such a study seems almost unethical, if not immoral cialis 36 hour . But surprisingly, this highsaturated-fat, no-starch diet led to decreases in body weight without increasing total cholesterol or bad LDL cholesterol promethazine injection . Triglycerides came down and, if anything, the overall lipid profile improved furosemide tablets .432
Three years ago, my husband was up to 217 pounds side effects loratadine . (He’s 49 years old and 6 feet tall pepcid duo chewables .) His cholesterol levels were off the charts, and his triglycerides were 942 pepcid in the news 2007 . His doctor tried him on several cholesterol-lowering medications celebrex for . He could not tolerate the side effects, especially the memory loss the lady allegra collection .
He then went on the Atkins diet and quickly dropped 20 to 25 pounds herbs containing sildenafil . To his doctor’s amazement, his triglycerides dropped to 192, and his cholesterol is almost normal—without medication asprin better .
Please keep your readers posted on further studies is motrin safe for dogs . I thought he was nuts to go on that diet until I saw the results tick bites and doxycycline . Now I follow some of its principles as well administration of phenytoin injectable rectally .
The most telling study actually compared four popular diets: Atkins, Zone, Weight Watchers, and Ornish sanyo lithium battery . Conventional wisdom would predict that the low-fat Dean Ornish diet would beat every other diet hands down on the heart disease risk score buy tramadol online money order . Au contraire cipro and back pain . All of these diets were roughly comparable in helping people lose weigh t allegra lanni .433 Many cardiologists were shocked to learn, however, that those following a high-protein, low-carbohydrate regimen ended up with a better score on heart disease risk factors than those following an Ornish-type low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet tizanidine patient experiences . That is because the higher-fat diets raised good HDL cholesterol more than the Ornish approach albendazole usp manufacturer .
‘Vhe final nail in the coffin of dietary dogma should have been driven by the Women’s Health Initiative doxycycline acne treatment . This long-term research project cost more than $700 million and will likely never be repeated prednisone and oral blisters . Until this ambitious project, we relied mostly on observational studies: Ask people what they eat and see what happens to them lithium ion battery 3.7 v . It is not a very good technique for actually proving whether something works or is dangerous addicted to lexapro . People have notoriously bad memories about what they really eat generic levitra vardenafil uk .
At the end of the 20th century, scientists decided to test their theories in a giant experiment does propranolol decrease effect of salbutamol . More than 48,000 women over 50 years old were recruited into a dietary intervention trial paroxetine par pharm . Some (40 percent) of the women were instructed to re- ivermectin damage .duce the amount of fat in their diet, replacing it with extra vegetables, fruits, and grains zantac alopecia . The training took place in groups and individually, and the women made the suggested dietary changes otc cable nu prilosec site . The other 60 percent of the women were not asked to change the way they ate ween off caffeine .
After approximately 8 years of follow-up and massive number crunching, the results are in, and they’re disappointing antiinflammatory drug celebrex . The researchers had expected that women who adopted the more virtuous low-fat, high-veggie diet would be protected from heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer sprinkle depakote for children . But despite the large number of women participating, the differences in the results of the two groups were not statistically significant lexapro and rheumatoid arthritis .’31
For cardiovascular disease, the investigators found a trend favoring survival in women who ate the least amount of saturated fat and trans fatty acids (and the most vegetables) difference between aspirin ibuprofen . But a trend is hardly the kind of solid evidence policy makers need before they recommend major changes in a country’s diet the clomid challenge . These results were certainly not expected evista breast . The granola gurus were left scratching their heads, wondering what went wrong caverta penegra . They did their best to explain why the low-fat diet was a giant fizzle, but the answers were unsatisfying and could not counteract the loss of trust by the American public liquid motrin for big kids .
Cardiologists, internists, registered dietitians, and most other health professionals like to maintain that they follow “evidence-based medicine viagra florida delivery .” In other words, science, not supposition, is their motto lyrics lithium evanescence . But when data don’t match dietary dogma, they frequently are ignored loratadine 2f pseudoephedrine sulfate . That’s what happened with MRFIT (the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial) orlistat patient . Until the Women’s Health Initiative, MRFIT was the largest (nearly t3M men were recruited) and most expensive ($100 million was spent) study of lifestyle intervention testosterone types info body building .
In the early 1970s, these men were divided into two groups sertraline and depression . One got “special intervention,” which meant intensive counseling and follow-up to modify diet (by lowering saturated fat and cholesterol intake) and control blood pressure cipro is not helping sinus infection .The others got no special attention clopidogrel plavix apotex generic . After 6 years, there was no significant difference between the two groups of men in terms of heart attacks or deaths cialis debt consolidation . The unexpected MRFIT findings matched those of the later Women’s Health Initiative cost of prednisone . This study sank without a trace lithium ion battery pcga-bp2nx . If the facts don’t fit our preconceived notions, perhaps we need to reexamine our faith in the low-fat ap-
proach synthroid intolerance .
No one is suggesting that a high-calorie, high-fat diet of eggs and bacon, burgers and shakes, steaks and fries, and hot fudge sundaes is good for health felodipine and weight gain . And we’re not particularly fans of the high-protein Atkins approach ceclor allergic reaction . But the dietary changes that seemed so obviously beneficial in the early 1990s can no longer be treated as gospel recurrence of seizures with topamax .
Perhaps we should take a tip from the French dosing oral methyl testosterone . They have pretty much ignored our low-fat fanaticism paroxetine introduced . They continue to eat croissants, butter, Brie, and chocolate mousse without a second thought lamotrigine major depression . They get more exercise by walking and climbing stairs lek norvasc . They eat well, but not nearly as much as Americans lipitor fund tracking . And they make meals social occasions to be savored with a glass of wine osteonecrosis treatment zithromax . Following their example of moderation might do us all some good tegretol natural alternative . Despite our national obsession with fighting fat, we weigh far more than the French, and our incidence of heart disease is much higher doxycycline tablets .
Types of Fat
By now we hope we have convinced you that eating fat or cholesterol does not necessarily raise your own cholesterol levels or even your risk of heart disease prozac side hallucinations . There are exceptions, of course secondary effects of zyrtec . Some people do react to dietary fat diverticulosis abcess flagyl . For them, cutting back may be helpful buy carisoprodol online cod . As with everything, though, you must pay attention to your body and monitor your lipid levels ryobi 18v lithium ion batteries . The real issue is not how much fat you eat but what kind absorptivity of etoricoxib .
Walter Willett, MD, DrPH, MPH, is chair of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health vioxx coumadin . Dr lasix and horse and canada . Willett is arguably the most respected and knowledgeable nutrition expert and epidemiologist in the world seroquel pros and cons . For a very long time he has tried to convince his colleagues and the public that the “fat is bad” belief is baloney acyclovir vs valtrex . It has been an uphill struggle, but at last the tide is turning celebrex vioxx warning . His campaign against trans fats (hydrogenated vegetable oil) has led to labeling that will allow consumers to recognize and avoid this poison lovistatin or lipitor . Although trans fats have been removed from many margarines, you still will find them in lots of processed foods like crackers and cookies 1 2aa 3.6v lithium battery . They are also found at high levels in many fried fast foods avandia lawsuits august 2007 .
The reason trans fats are so dangerous is that they are associated with an increased risk of heart disease propecia offers . That may be because they are pro-inflammatory levitra picture . So are many of the omega-6 fats (found in vegetable oils such as corn, safflower, and sunflower oil) alabama celebrex lawyer . Even though dietitians have been proclaiming that all cholesterol-free vegetable oils are heart healthy, we beg to differ prazosin depression . There is growing evidence that Americans consume way too much omega-6 and not nearly enough omegaL3 fats (found in certain fish as well as walnuts and flaxseed) canon rebel lithium batteries . Because of this imbalance, we suggest you try to limit your intake of omega-6-rich vegetable oils digoxin shortage .
Which fats are the superstars? Clearly, olive oil is one of the very best hiv and levaquin . It is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, and there are lots of data to support its positive health bcnefitS pdr protonix .135AM taking antiacid with synthroid .437 Olive oil can be used to saut6 almost anything toprol makes me cough . We use it not only for all the obvious vegetables like onions, garlic, tomatoes, and peppers, but also for scrambled eggs pain iv protonix morphine . Extra-virgin olive oil is our favorite because of its additional health benefits, such as preventing blood clots, improving the flexibility of blood vessels, and reducing the risk of certain cancers cephalexin vs ciprofloxicin . It may have too strong a flavor for some, however meter to check warfarin . If you don’t like it, look for a “light” olive oil that has a milder aroma and taste azathioprine side affects . Other healthy options include canola, almond, avocado, and walnut oils prevacid patient assistance program .
You won’t want to use pure olive oil or walnut oil for stir-frying in a wok amiloride overdose . Their “smoke point” is too low bupropion and synthroid . For higher-temperature cooking, consider pure canola oil or combine half olive and half canola oil caffeine amounts in drinks periodic table . If that seems a bother, look for
***** Olive Oil
Olive oil is the best source for monounsaturated fat what is ic tramadol . It lowers total cholesterol, bad LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure 123a lithium battery recharge . It also has anti-inflammatory properties that should reduce the risk of atherosclerosis nortriptyline decreased libido .
Cost: Highly variable depending on brand and quality accepted caffeine on pepsi . Can range from about $10 to $50 a liter and up walgreen phar topamax .
BREAD SPREAD
The best way to lubricate bread is with seasoned olive oil amlodipine besylate toprolxl . The Italians really got this one right generic viagra sent overnight . If you feel compelled to use a spread, we recommend the new heart-healthy margarines that no longer have trans fats ondansetron capsules . They include Benecol, Promise, Smart Balance, and Take Control decongestant with cialis . Benecol and Take Control contain ingredients designed to lower cholesterol can i take celexa and nyquil .
“high heat” safflower or avocado oil tamoxifen estrogen cancer . It should be higher in monounsaturated fat (oleic acid) than standard safflower oil headache while taking cefdinir .
A Contrarian Cholesterol Perspective
Most cardiologists believe that cholesterol is like golf: There’s no such thing as too Iowa• score viagra 3 . Anyone who questions that view is considered a menace to the public health ivax clozapine . And the media have accepted the concept that cholesterol is evil without much question bismuth ranitidine subcitrate .
It comes as a shock to a lot of people to learn that cholesterol is essential for good health exelon competitors . It is the basic building block for a number of crucial chemicals in the body clindamycin interaction tylan . including vita?in D as well as sex hormones like testosterone and estrogen difference between zantac and prilosec . Cholesterol also is found in cell membranes throughout the body and is an important component of the nervous system, especially the brain crohn sildenafil . Researchers have discovered that cholesterol is necessary for nerve cells to communicate can i take zyrtec and tylenol . Without adequate cholesterol, the connections between neurons (synapses) fall apart take cymbalta in morning or evening .
Scientists hypothesize that cholesterol helps strengthen the small arteries that feed the brain cialis contraindications . Without it, they become more vulnerable to breakage under stress, which happens when blood pressure rises metformin as treatment for infertility .4is7`hat might help explain research findings showing that very low cholesterol poses problems too straight out of junior high valtrex .
Evidence comes from the Honolulu Heart Program chemical bond of lithium iodide .439 Scientists at the University of Hawaii studied 3,500 Japanese-American men born between 1900 and 1919 cis isomer of sertraline hydrochloride . The volunteers’ total cholesterol levels were measured when they were middle-aged and again in the early 1990s, when they were “Our data accord with previous findings of increased mortality in elderly people with low serum cholesterol, and show that long-term persistence of low cholesterol concentration actually increases the risk of death lamictal as a mooed stabilizer . Thus, the earlier that patients start to have lower cholesterol concentrations, the greater the risk of death prednisone side effects managing .,,4411
—I can you half avalide . J strattera rebate . Schatz et al does prevacid cause orgasm difficulty ., Lancet, 2001
elderly allergies to evista . Then the scientists kept tabs on who survived and who died celexa lawsuits .
To their surprise, the men with the lowest cholesterol levels had the highest risk of dying over the next several years buy ursodiol . Those with cholesterol levels between 188 and 209 fared the best meridia online pharmacy phentermine umaxppc xenical . Even men with elevated cholesterol, over 209, were less likely to die from any cause than were those with the lowest cholesterol readings hcpcs codes for linezolid online . The investigators confessed their confusion: “We have been unable to explain our results thyroxine testosterone . These data cast doubt on the scientific justification for lowering cholesterol to very low concentrations (less than 4 terbinafine hydrochloride 1 solution .65 millimoles per liter) [less than 180 milligrams per deciliter> in elderly people wellbutrin 100sr . “441
Some experts have tried to explain away the link between low cholesterol and higher mortality by suggesting that cholesterol drops when people come down with cancer or other life-threatening diseases ndc number for toradol . But the Honolulu researchers did not find excess cancer in the low-cholesterol group what does macrobid treat . Besides, many of these men had had low cholesterol 20 years earlier er6c 3.6 v lithium .
This isn’t the first study to find a connection between low cholesterol and higher mortality neurontin side effects swollen ankles . A report to the American Heart Association in 1999 showed that people with total cholesterol of less than 180 were twice as likely to suffer a bleeding stroke as those with cholesterol of more than 230 typical cipro dosage . More than 15 years ago, Japanese researchers found that men with chotMeTol under 178 and women with cholesterol under 190 were also at higher risk of brain hemorrhage 350 carisoprodol mg tab .442 In fact, people in Japan have traditionally experienced three times the risk of hemorrhagic stroke compared to Japanese people living in America is generic buspar same as buspar . It is assumed that the lower-fat diet and lower cholesterol in Japan may be the most important difference amoxicillin for cats no prescription .
Research has also shown that American women who eat very little meat or saturated fat may also be at higher risk for bleeding strokes, especially if they also have high blood pressure propecia saw palmetto . For an investigation known as the Nurses’ Health Study, researchers at Harvard University have been following more than 85,000 female nurses since 1980 ibuprofen skin rashes . Every 2 years the women answer questions about their diet, lifestyle, and health lowering testosterone naturely . The investigators found that the women who ate the least saturated fat and animal protein had the highest risk of bleeding, stroke, twice as high as that of women who ate the most fat depakote cf lithium carbonate .44-’
One of the key investigators in the Nurses’ Health Study is Dr cytoxan therapy multiple sclerosis . Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health maoi drugs selegiline . He told us that “in Japan, where cholesterol levels have been low, hemorrhagic stroke rates have been extremely high, so that total cardiovascular mortality has not been very different between the United States and Japan urology testosterone boosters .” In his opinion, “there is indeed some basis for real concern, even though it’s not been absolutely proven that cholesterol levels can be driven down too low tramadol no prescription overnight .’,444
Of course, none of this research means that people with high cholesterol can relax their guard estradiol placenta function . Too much of this blood fat is clearly dangerous and increases the risk of heart attack paxil help mild ocd symptoms . But for people over age 70, or for women with high blood pressure, it may be counterproductive to lower cholesterol much below 200 probiotics and prilosec . Like body temperature or blood sugar level, cholesterol may need to stay in a middle range allegra network . Toq little or too much can have negative health consequences prednisone maximum dose .
Beyond Cholesterol: Other Risks
As we have said before in this book, when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail paxil and mania . When it comes to heart disease, the nail is cholesterol claritin d2c long term effects . That’s because the pharmaceutical industry has been extremely successful at creating hammers to lower this compound norvasc and edema . At last count, Americans were spending more than $16 billion annually on statin-containing medications alone levaquin syphilis .445
One prominent cardiologist believes that worldwide, at least IM Million people should be on statinS neurontin and tooth decay .446 Some physicians have jokingly suggested that it would simplify matters if we just added statins to the water supply or supplied “statin shakers” at every table the way we now have salt shakerS hytrin maker .447 This way people could sprinkle on a statin whenever they eat steak or eggs and not worry about cholesterol fda topamax warning .
We’re not knocking statins tetracycline expiry . They are extraordinarily effective at lowering bad LDL cholesterol, and they do prevent heart STATIN-CONTAINING DRUGS
• Amlodipine/atorvastatin (Caduet)
• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Ezetimibe/simvastatin (Vytorin)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)
• Pravastatin (Pravachol)
• Rosuvastatin (Cregtor)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)
attacks and strokes and save lives,’Ibey also carry more risks than many physicians and patients have realized 300 coupon prilosec . (More about that shortly topamax pills .) No, what really worries us about physicians’ focus on cholesterol is that they may ignore other things that also contribute to heart disease taking flagyl effect cont . It’s as if the conductor of a symphony orchestra were focusing only on the percussion section hydrochlorothiazide overnight delivery . Listening to a concert that featured just cymbals and drums would not be a very enjoyable experience sony cr2032 lithium 3v .
In an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine, Lori Mosca, MD, PhD, MPH, director of the preventive cardiology program at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, states, “More than 20 years ago, 246 risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) had already been identified, and the number continues to grow alesse and depression .’”48 Think about that lithium engineer free . Physicians know of more, than 240 risk factors for heart disease, yet most still single out only a couple of them: cholesterol and hypertension keflex mg lb .
When is the last time a cardiologist asked you about your level of anxiety and depression, stress, or anger and hostility’? How about your marital relationship or your support network? These are all key risk factors for heart disease promethazine use in elderly diabetics .9,450
Cardiologists love numbers patent actos how long . Someone with a bad LDL cholesterol of 160 can lower that level to less than 100 with Lipitor within a few weeks fosinopril classification . Stress, marital discord, and hostility are much more difficult to deal with, and progress is not so easily measured amitriptyline pain december amitriptyline pain . And yet they may be just as important as a cholesterol number warfarin volterol .
OTHER RISK FACTORS FOR HEART DISEASE
• High level of C-reactive protein (CRP)
• Low level of HDL (good) cholesterol
• High level of LDL (bad) cholesterol
• High level of very low-density (VLDL) cholesterol
• High level of triglycerides
• Elevated level of lipoprotein (a), or Lp(a)
• High blood pressure
• Elevated homocysteine
• High uric acid level
• Insulin resistance
• Depression
• Stress and anxiety
• Anger and hostility
• Low level of physical activity
• Smoking
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
• Marital strife
• Family (genetic) history of heart problems
Jul
19
RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY w5tbpqac7u
In this surgery the same type incision is made as in the suprapubic operation. The muscle is separated and the sac containing the intestines is moved away from the bladder.
Now the surgeon makes an incision into the prostate capsule and removes the enlarged gland. The tissue removed is tested by a pathologist to determine if there is any cancerous growths present.
Now the surgeon sutures or cauterizes the bleeding vessels and the catheter with the three way tube is placed into the bladder. This catheter is usually the same type as used in a TURP operation. Next the balloon is inflated to keep the catheter in place.
All that is left is for the surgeon to “close”. The prostate capsule is sutured shut and the muscles, fascia and skin are put back in place and stitched closed.
This operation differs from the previous one since the bladder itself was not opened. It’s slightly simpler with less violation of the body. This means there is no need for the second catheter through the belly to drain the bladder.
The draining and irrigation of the prostate needed can be done with the usual three-way catheter. Most urologists say that this operation is less stressful to the patient since the bladder is not cut open, so it doesn’t have to recover.
General recovery procedures and time is about the same for either type of operation. Which type your urologist might suggest would be determined by the individual patient’s condition and sometimes the doctor’s preference.
In surgery for the prostate, the general rule is that a medium sized enlarged prostate and smaller ones can be successfully removed by the TURP method. However when the gland swells in size to over fifty to sixty grams, the urologist will usually do one of the other operations because of the difficulty in scraping out that much tissue and drawing it out of the urethra.
In these cases the larger prostate removal by the retropubic or suprapubic is simply the most efficient method to be used for the well being of the patient.
OTHER TYPES OF PROSTATE SURGERY
Perinea) prostatectomy is another kind of open surgery for the prostate but it is seldom used today. This procedure is quick and simple to do, but almost always severs the nerve bundles that control erection and leaves the patient Impotent.
Doctors back in the 1930’s often used a two stage operation for the prostate. The first stage was opening and draining the bladder. Then two weeks later they would go in and remove the prostate. It is seldom used today.
With the new treatments now coming into focus for the prostate, particularly BPH, there may be a general slowing in the number of surgeries needed. Any surgery has risks but with the prostate the risks seem to be reasonable in regards to impotence and incontinence, the two problems most men fear the most.
With the development of the new drugs, we may see products that will cause the enlarged prostate to shrink without objectionable side effects. With the increased use of the balloon as at least a temporary treatment for BPH, and other inventive methods, some experts are predicting that the use of surgery will not be required as often in future years as it is today. Only time will tell. As the public learns more about the male prostate and BPH, more men will demand non-intrusive treatments whenever possible. Right now a lot of men are hanging their hopes on the new drugs Hytrin and Proscar.