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Understanding the role of Flomax and Tamsulosin as alpha-blockersFlomax, also known as Tamsulosin, is a widely used medication that serves to treat an enlarged prostate, a condition also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). As an alpha-blocker, it aids in relaxing the muscles of the bladder and prostate, which helps to improve urinary flow and reduces symptoms of BPH. Overview of Cialis and its function as a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitorCialis, known generically as Tadalafil, operates as a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor. It is typically employed to manage erectile dysfunction (ED). Cialis is unique in its capacity to treat both ED and BPH symptoms, which makes it the only approved medication to manage these dual conditions when prescribed for once-daily use. Moreover, Cialis offers the advantage of not having to plan sexual activity around pill intake as it can prepare men with ED to be ready anytime between doses. The interplay between urinary symptoms and erectile dysfunctionBoth urinary symptoms associated with BPH and erectile dysfunction are conditions that can significantly impact a man's quality of life. While they are distinct medical conditions, they often occur concurrently, especially as men age. That's where the potential of a combination therapy including both Tamsulosin and Cialis comes into play. Effectiveness of combined treatment with Flomax/Tamsulosin and CialisResearch suggests that combining Tamsulosin (0.4 mg) and Cialis (5 mg) can provide significant improvements in both urinary symptoms (as measured by IPSS and Qmax) and erectile dysfunction. This combination of drugs is reported to have a good tolerance, safety, and efficacy profile. However, it's important to note that another study suggests that Tadalafil plus Tamsulosin doesn't seem to have a superior effect over Tadalafil alone in improving erectile function and overall urinary symptoms. Discussing the study resultsIn the realm of scientific studies, research conducted in 2019 cites that Tadalafil 5 mg daily monotherapy can improve ED and overall lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) after 12 weeks. Additionally, the addition of Tamsulosin 0.4 mg to this regimen can further enhance the symptom relief, according to some reports. On the other hand, Tadalafil has been proven to be effective on its own, making it a valuable asset in treating both conditions. The importance of considering lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax)Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) are crucial parameters when assessing the effectiveness of treatments for urinary symptoms related to BPH. The combination of Tadalafil and Tamsulosin has shown significant improvements in these areas, suggesting a synergistic effect of these two medications. Discussing the tolerance, adverse events, and safety of combination therapyThe combination of Flomax (Tamsulosin) and Cialis (Tadalafil) is usually well-tolerated.While the occurrence of adverse events is slightly higher than with Tadalafil alone, these events are generally of low severity. However, users may experience symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, flushing, headache, and heart palpitations. It's worth noting that Tamsulosin has been reported to affect libido, erectile function, and ejaculation in some cases, and priapism (prolonged and painful erection) has rarely been reported. Emphasizing the need for a healthcare provider's consultation before medicationDespite the promising outcomes associated with the combination of Flomax and Cialis, it is always critical to consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any medication regimen. Both Flomax and Cialis can cause a drop in blood pressure and may not be a suitable choice for individuals with already low blood pressure or fluctuating blood pressure levels. Considerations for individual's specific medical conditions and needsEvery individual has a unique health profile, and what works for one may not necessarily work for another. Therefore, considerations must always be made for a person's specific medical conditions and needs. Understanding that the interplay of various medications can impact an individual differently is essential for ensuring effective and safe treatment. Despite the complex landscape of managing BPH and ED, the synergistic use of Flomax (Tamsulosin) and Cialis (Tadalafil) shows promise. Yet, the decision to use these medications in combination should always be made under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
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How does it work?Although we had in TURP a very good and tested operation, there are side effects and costs associated with it. This led to many minimally invasive approaches over the last decade. Sadly most of these were abandoned due to or a high risk of pain or other side effects compared to TURP, or because they simply did not work! Previous Attempts with LasersMany laser energies have been used in the prostate before now, but limitations on laser power have meant removal of significant amounts of prostate tissue (the real test) has been impossible or unfeasibly slow. The only two contenders for the TURP crown up until now have been prostate electrovaporisation (easy to learn but higher risk of infection, impotence and incontinence) and holmium laser prostate enucleation (as effective as TURP but extremely difficult to learn and associated with severe operative complications in all but the most expert hands). The Greenlight HPS system from AMS addresses this problem by means of delivering a very powerful modulated laser beam which is absorbed by the haemoglobin pigment in tissue. This means that when the laser is applied to prostate tissue massive localised heating of the tissue occurs resulting in instantaneous vaporisation: due to the laser - characteristically bleeding is close to zero. Our results show that prostates of any size can be treated, with most men seeing their symptoms improve by two or three fold in the first six weeks. Many men have continuing benefits developing up to nine months after surgery The technique allowsrapid creation of a generous prostate cavity with almost no bleeding. More than 50% of men can leave hospital on the day of surgery without a catheter, with most others having a soft small catheter for around 18 hours at home (many men remove this themselves)Althoughwe placed catheters post operatively in our initial evaluation period, only a few men have had to have a catheter for more than 12 hours (these have usually been in urinary retention patients, and nearly all have voided extremely well on final catheter removal. Strikingly, very few patients report pain after the procedure: pain and burning on urinating have limited both laser techniques and TURP in the past. About one man in ten will get some burning which may need a fe weeks of simple painkillers to ease the discomfort. Sexual side effects are reduced compared to the standard technique. While very long term results are awaited, the figures after five years of follow up show improvements in symptoms and urological measurements comparable to historical TURP data (about one man in fifty requiring reintervention each year). In particular it appears the prostate tissue removal seen at the time of surgery is genuine when assessed by post-operative prostate ultrasound (between 40-60% of tissue reduction is seen). Post operative bleeding and discomfort can occur, but aremuch less than with standard TURP, and many men have gone back to work or normal activities within a couple of days, with sport and other activities being possible within a week or two. Of course, some men do take longer to recover and those men with very overactive bladders or catheters pre-operatlively may take some time to settle afterwards. Anticoagulation, large prostate size (>100g) and poor cardiac status are not contraindications to the procedure, even as a day case. Our results have been presented at a number of international meetings including the European Association of Urology and the American Urological Association Meeting. In particular our data on large prostates and the absence of absorption of irrigating fluid has attracted much interest. Mr Muir isa founder member of the International GreenLIght Users' Group, which seeks to fine tune and improve further the results from this therapy. IPSS Symptom scores changes following PVP to one year
The initial score of 23 on the IPSS system shows that most men were suffering severe symptoms which reduced by almost threefold within sixweeks. Urine flow rates at the same stage and out to five years in our series showimprovements of more than 100%.
GreenLight Training Courses at King's College Hospital (for urological surgeons wishing to learn the technique)
Course director: Gordon Muir, Consultant Urologist The course will be in the format of small group teaching with a mixture of didactic presentations linked to live 2 way videoconferencing observing a number of prostate vaporisations in the operating theatre downstairs from our conference room.. There will be an opportunity to visit our state of the art integrated operating theatres during procedures to observe the set-up and logistical issues relating to prostate laser surgery. The objectives of the course will be that at the end of the course participants will be able to:
Topics covered in the course include: GreenLight PVP results Previous lasers: problems and successes Why green light? Laser physics and safety Live cases Theatre and nursing issues Discussion: how to startup, avoiding complications
Certificates of GreenLight laser training and CME credits will be awarded to those who have successfully completed the training course. CME accreditation has been applied for. Refreshments and lunch are included in the course fee Course dates at King's College Hospital 6th April 2009 11th May 2009 8th June 2009 6th July 2009
Training video (NB this is NOT a substitute for attending a properly run course and having mentoring for the surgical technique) for further information on courses contact [email protected]
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GreenLight Training Courses
We are able to offer formal training courses for doctors interested in knowing about the GreenLight procedure. Formal half day courses are run in the Day Surgery Teaching UNit at KIng's College Hospital.
Course director: Gordon Muir, Consultant Urologist
The course will be in the format of small group (max 10) teaching with a mixture of didactic presentations linked to live 2 way videoconferencing observing a number of prostate vaporisations in the operating theatre downstairs from our conference room.. There will be an opportunity to visit the operating theatres during procedures to observe the set-up and logistical issues relating to prostate laser surgery.
The objectives of the course will be that at the end of the course participants will be able to:
Topics covered in the course include:
Certificates of GreenLight laser training and CME credits will be awarded to those who have successfully completed the training course
CME accreditation has been applied for.
Refreshments and lunch are included in the course fee