The University of Arizona Medical Center - South Campus
2800 E. Ajo Way
Tucson, AZ 85713

Appointment Phone: (520) 874-2778

Holmium Laser Treatment Ends Frequent Urination Caused by Enlarged Prostate

As men age, it's not uncommon that they find themselves making more frequent trips to the bathroom-especially in the middle of the night. Many men find that they need to urinate suddenly or have difficulty emptying their bladder completely. When these symptoms are left untreated, some men may progress to the point where they are unable to urinate. Men with BPH (or benign prostatic hyperplasia) may also find that their loved ones suffer the inconvenience of an enlarged prostate, as activities as common as sleeping and road trips can be met with constant interruptions in the search for the nearest bathroom.

While the majority of men over age 50 at some point experience some of these symptoms, most are not aware that an enlarged prostate is often the cause.  An enlarged prostate is not life threatening.  However, it can cause significant discomfort, inconvenience and embarrassment.   Some of the symptoms of BPH are:

• Frequent and urgent need to urinate
• Weak flow
• Inability to completely empty the bladder
• Sleep disruption as a result of needing to urinate frequently at night

The Holmium Laser Treatment is a quick and nearly painless procedure that can provide immediate quality of life improvements, with most able to resume normal activities within several weeks after the treatment.

The Holmium Laser Treatment, also known as HoLAP (Holmium Laser Ablation of the Prostate), is a minimally invasive procedure that uses laser energy to remove obstructing prostate tissue. It relieves BPH symptoms with proven results. Patients are treated on an outpatient basis and generally return home in less than 24 hours.

HoLAP uses a thin flexible fiber designed to transmit the laser energy to the prostate with a high degree of precision. The urologist controls the direction and delivery of the laser energy by moving the fiber back and forth in a sweeping or "painting" motion. The laser energy vaporizes the obstructing tissue and seals the area, generally resulting in little or no bleeding during and after the procedure.

Dr. Funk is using the latest technology, the holmium laser, to treat this common condition.  He is the only doctor who currently performs this procedure in Southern Arizona.  Dr. Funk agrees that the Holmium Laser Treatment is a great therapeutic option for men with an enlarged prostate.

Joel Funk, MD
Dr. Funk is a board eligible urologist and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Arizona.  He attended medical school at Northwestern University Medical School and completed his general surgery and urology residencies at the University of Arizona Health Sciences Center.  Dr. Funk has a urology practice at the The University of Arizona Medical Center - Green Valley Physician Clinic and the The University of Arizona Medical Center - Surgery Clinic located at The University of Arizona Medical Center - South Campus. 

For more information on the HoLAP procedure, please call (520) 874-2778 or email urology@uph.org.  For more information on BPH, visit www.laserforbph.com.

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