Prostate Problems?

As men mature, the prostate grows from a walnut-sized gland to sometimes as large as an orange. This growth causes outflow problems from the bladder in the passing of urine, resulting in symptoms from a slow stream, getting up at night to urinate, or even worse—the constant urge to urinate, even to the point that urination begins before they reach the bathroom. These inconvenient, and often embarrassing symptoms, can be resolved by proper treatment of the enlarged prostate.

Dr. James Young is a very successful urologist who has been practicing in Lake County since 1982. “The treatment of BPH (an enlarged prostate) has always been my focus, and that is the primary reason I moved to Florida when I finished my medical training as Chief Resident of Urology at the University of Arkansas. I looked at Florida as being the largest ‘prostate ranch’ in the United States, so I began my practice from scratch in Eustis in 1982.”

For many decades, the only treatment for BPH was a surgical procedure, the TURP, more commonly referred to by men as a “roto-rooter.” Dr. Young performed more 3,000 of these procedures, however they were very invasive, required anesthesia, hospitalization, and could have serious complications, including massive bleeding and at times, death. Then medications were approved that relieved symptoms but after a period of time, the medications lose their effectiveness or caused side effects, usually sexual in nature. There had to be a better way.

In the late 1990’s a new procedure, transurethral needle ablation of the prostate (TUNA) was approved by the FDA. “I was never a fan of jumping on new technology quickly because, as we know, not everything delivers the results as promised,” says Dr. Young. However, after the procedure was used for five years, Dr. Young began doing TUNAs, later known as Prostiva RF therapy. This procedure was done in the office under local anesthesia with few complications. The procedure worked by inserting wires into the prostate, then low frequency radio waves were transmitted through the wires and heated prostate tissue to 115 degrees Celsius. This heat was transmitted in a conductive manner (radiate from the wires) but the heat dissipated rapidly as it traveled away from the wires. The heat was reduced by the formula of 1/r2 with r being the distance from the wires. Basically, cores of prostate tissue surrounding the wires were destroyed. Dr. Young had tremendous success with Prostiva RF therapy and ultimately did almost 3,000 procedures. His success with Prostiva gave him the distinction of being placed on

Castle Connelly’s Top Docs list for five consecutive years.

However, more than five years ago, Dr. Young heard rumors of a new technology that was similar in some ways, but completely different in others. This new therapy was FDA approved in 2015 and was known as Rezum. “Even though I have a reputation for not jumping on new technology, I completely understood the science behind Rezum, so as soon as it was available to me, I switched to this procedure immediately.

The science driving this technology is fascinating. Using low frequency radio waves, water is transformed into steam and then nine seconds of steam is infiltrated into the prostate tissue, once again in the office under local anesthesia. The major difference is the heat is transferred in a convective, as opposed to conductive manner.

As Einstein said, “Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only be changed.” So once the steam is infiltrated into the prostate, and returns to liquid, it releases all the energy that changed the water into steam. This is a tremendous amount of energy and destroys much more prostate tissue than the conductive heat did conveyed by Prostiva. There is much less discomfort with Rezum and when patients leave the office (usually in under 30 minutes), they experience no pain what so ever.

Since June 2016, Dr. Young has performed just under 300 Rezum procedures, almost twice as many as any other urologist in the United States and many, many more than any other urologists in the state of Florida. “The results have been so amazing and the patients have been so happy that Healthgrades.com notified me that based on my recent reviews and clicks on my site, I am now ranked in the top 100th percentile of all urologists in the United States. While I am very proud of that, it is also very humbling. I personally think this is biggest leap forward in the treatment of BPH that I will see in my lifetime.”

JAMES W. YOUNG III, M.D. Board-certified Urologist

Practicing in Lake County since 1982 with extensive experience in evaluation and management of prostate problems.

Comprehensive Care

If you are a fi of Dr. Young, you will receive a detailed examination.

“When I see a new patient I perform physical examinations and properly evaluate the patient’s symptoms, thus diagnosing the underlying problem(s),” Dr. Young said. “Next, I describe to the patient what’s normal and then explain what is abnormal with him. Lastly, I teach him his treatment options. If I’ve done a good job of teaching, he will select the correct option for himself.”

While prescribing medications for enlarged prostate can be done by primary care physicians, only urologists are trained to thoroughly evaluate the bladder and prostate (including ruling out prostate cancer), as well as providing extremely effective minimally invasive, offi as alternatives to lifelong medical therapy.

With an offi nearly as much experience as the doctor (many have worked with Dr. Young for 25 years), you don’t spend a great deal of time waiting to see him.

“We pride ourselves in being timely in seeing our patients. We respect our patients’ time as much as we do our own. Patients appreciate this; many of our patients tell me I have the best office staff on the planet. I consider that a huge compliment.”

So if you are waking up at night and have difficulty falling back asleep because you’re worried what may be wrong, then it is time to check in with Dr. Young and have him examine you.

“Many men accept frequent bladder urges as part of aging. And while it is part of the aging process, it’s not like death and taxes. There is something you can do

Matters

Some diseases may not be curable, but with a positive, can-do attitude, patients still derive plenty of joy from life.

Story: James Combs

or some, life may seem to end the moment they’re diagnosed with a terrible disease such as cancer, AIDS, or heart disease. Others, though, have an uncanny ability to buffer negative feelings by keeping life’s tragedies from spoiling the good stuff.

Healthy Living was fortunate to find three such people. Despite enduring Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and multiple sclerosis, they continue to see silver linings rather than give into hopelessness and despair.

They’re living proof that the power of positive attitude helps patients with chronic illness live life rather than merely exist.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS = MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES

For Steve Gaines, falling out of his wheelchair from leaning too far forward or trying to maneuver down steps is no big deal.

“If I’m not bleeding and I’m not hurt, then what else can I really do but laugh about the accident?”

Laughter has been a valuable tool in helping Steve, a resident of The Villages, to successfully navigate life with multiple sclerosis. For him, the disease has become progressively worse since he was diagnosed in 1995.

When he moved to The Villages in 2002, he could still play golf six times a week. Today, he is ned to a wheelchair, has no use of his left arm and left leg, and requires assistance for mundane tasks like taking a shower or entering and exiting a vehicle. But there’s no time for throwing daily self-pity parties. Instead, Steve chooses to be an eternal optimist. “There’s no reason not to be excited about life,” he says. “I’m happy with each new day, and I have a wonderful caregiver and group of friends.”

The caregiver is his wife, Barbara, and his group of friends comes from the Multiple Sclerosis Village People, a 185-member group designed to support both patients and their caregivers. Steve and Barbara joined the group 13 years ago.

Members enjoy occasional outings that include visiting Orlando theme parks and dining at local restaurants. ts of the group are twofold. It allows Steve to forge strong friendships and serves as a reminder that he is not alone in

“Those of us in the group are upbeat and try to live our lives the best we can,” he says. “Plus, some people in the group live with daily pain, and I’m fortunate that I have no pain. Why be depressed when there are others worse off than you? It makes me learn how to be

He’s equally thankful for the wealth of opportunities available in The Villages. Each Wednesday is poker night with a group of neighborhood friends, while Fridays are reserved for card games at Laurel Manor Recreation Center.

“Playing cards allows me to get out of the house and be a normal guy,” he says. “There are plenty of things to do here, and if I just sit in the house it’s my own fault.”

Knowing Steve is participating in those activities is comforting to Barbara, his wife of 37 years.

“I don’t have to worry about him not having a good life,” she says. “When he’s playing cards, I can enjoy mah-jongg and scrapbooking. This is an inconvenient disease, but we do our best to work around it.”