An enlarged prostate is an inevitable fact of life for most men by the time they reach their 60s, and some men are diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, when they are in their 50s or even their 40s. By this time, men have likely experienced the gradual enlargement of their prostate tissue for many years and are probably visiting their primary care physician or urologist because they are experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms, or LUTS, brought on by prostatic hyperplasia. Some of these BPH symptoms can include urinary frequency, hesitancy, starting and stopping, urgency, retention, or a host of other BPH symptoms. Luckily, BPH procedures, such as Aquablation therapy, can provide relief from LUTS with a low risk of irreversible complications and sexual function issues such as ejaculatory dysfunction or erectile dysfunction.
The role of spouses in supporting Aquablation therapy patients is an important one. By the time a man considers a BPH procedure to address his LUTS, he has likely already tried watchful waiting (monitoring BPH symptoms without acting medically), herbal or natural “remedies,” and BPH medication(s). From having to use the restroom many more times a day than a young man would, to having to deal with incomplete emptying, dribbling, urinary urgency, nocturia, or even a trip to the ER for an emergency catheterization, he has already endured quite an ordeal in his everyday life. Men suffering from LUTS brought about by BPH need all the support they can get.
Ways to Support Men Undergoing Aquablation Therapy
Spouses can play a crucial role in providing support and understanding to men who decide to undergo Aquablation therapy for the treatment of BPH. Here are 10 ways spouses can lend both emotional and practical support to their partner:
- Research and Education: By researching and becoming educated about BPH, watchful waiting, BPH medications, various BPH procedures, and Aquablation therapy before the procedure is performed, spouses can gain a better understanding of BPH and what is involved in addressing it. Grasping how Aquablation therapy works to resect and remove excess prostate tissue via a surgeon-guided and robotically controlled heat-free waterjet to avoid irreversible complications such as erectile dysfunction, incontinence, and ejaculatory dysfunction, will allow a spouse to provide informed support from the beginning and will aid in better understanding of the entire process.
- Emotional Support: The decision to proceed with any medical procedure can be stressful and lead to anxious moments. Even though there is no downside to Aquablation therapy, there can still be side effects or risks as with any surgical procedure. Spouses are ideally positioned to provide emotional support by talking to and being there for their partner. This can include being a sounding board, actively listening to hopes, concerns, fears, and feelings, and offering empathy. The encouragement of patience and maintaining reassuring support throughout the process from choosing the right doctor and medical facility to the timing of the procedure and afterward are additional ways a spouse can help.
- Practical Assistance: Following Aquablation therapy, men may experience some discomfort and will likely be limited in some of their daily activities for a week or so. Spouses can assist with running errands, performing household chores, grocery shopping, meal preparation, operative site cleanliness, and other daily tasks that will take some of the burden off the patient and allow them to recover more comfortably.
- Going Home Without a Catheter: It can be much more comfortable going home after Aquablation therapy without a catheter in place. After all, one of the major points of staying a night in the hospital after undergoing Aquablation therapy is the goal of going home without a catheter. However, without a catheter in place, a patient could experience some urinary retention in the form of difficulty urinating, a weak stream, or the inability to empty the bladder fully due to post-operative swelling, blood clots, or tissue sloughing. This could result in another temporary catheter needing to be installed.
- Going Home With a Catheter: If the patient needs to go home with a catheter, a spouse is well-positioned to offer assistance with daily catheter care and hygiene to help prevent any infection. This can include regular cleaning of the catheter installation area and ensuring the urine bag is emptied and kept in good order. Monitoring for signs of infection (redness, pain, cloudy urine, and fever) or catheter blockage can also be helpful. A spouse can assist the patient in finding comfortable positions for themselves and the catheter while sitting and sleeping, and the home can be set up to minimize the need for excess movement. Ensuring the bathroom is easily accessible, or including the use of a portable urinal or beside urine container can be helpful.
- Encouragement: The recovery process after Aquablation therapy can take some time and men may encounter some ups and downs as their prostate tissue heals, along with a few challenges. Spousal support in the form of patience, understanding, encouragement, and motivation can help their partner keep a positive frame of mind and focus on their recovery goals.
- Rest: Recovery from Aquablation therapy can require extra rest to get back up to speed. Making any necessary living space adjustments, creating a relaxing environment, and encouraging the patient to remain as active as possible while avoiding overexertion will go a long way toward helping them recover.
- Distraction and Entertainment: Helping keep the patient’s spirits up by participating together in gentle activities such as watching movies, playing games, or reading books can provide both a distraction and entertainment to lift their spirits and provide additional incentive to recover quickly.
- Monitoring and Advocacy: Spouses can assist in monitoring and evaluating their partner’s progress and be on the lookout for any signs of complications. If any issues or concerns arise, they can help advocate for their partner by reaching out to and communicating with doctors, medical and hospital staff, and insurance personnel to ensure the patient is receiving the best care possible.
- Medication Management: Patients may be prescribed medications for use during their post-procedure care to manage pain or to guard against infection. Spouses can assist with the management of medications, making sure they are taken as prescribed and refilled if necessary.
- Communication With Healthcare Providers: By offering to accompany their partner at follow-up medical appointments to ensure they are following their doctor’s recommendations, monitor progress, or by communicating any questions or concerns to healthcare providers, spouses can encourage appointment attendance and ensure that the patient receives the best care possible and that any issues are dealt with immediately.
- Healthy Habits: The maintenance of a healthy lifestyle while recovering from Aquablation therapy can help patients achieve a quick and full recovery. Encouraging the patient to eat a nutritious diet, stay hydrated to help flush out the urinary system, get enough rest, and participate in gentle physical activity to keep the body’s circulation going will aid in a more efficient road to recovery.
In Conclusion
Aquablation therapy is a novel, advanced, safe, robotic, and highly effective BPH procedure that addresses BPH and features very few side effects or irreversible complications, such as sexual function issues like erectile dysfunction or ejaculatory dysfunction. It has been developed with the specific goal of decreasing the size of the prostate while maintaining the status quo in sexual functionality for patients who undergo the procedure.
With spousal education, understanding, emotional support, practical assistance, encouragement, and advocacy throughout the Aquablation therapy treatment process and beyond, men who undergo Aquablation therapy will feel supported and cared for before, during, and after their BPH procedure.
Undoubtedly, spouses can play a vital role in the support of Aquablation therapy patients. Supporting an Aquablation therapy partner as they navigate their procedure and recovery period will allow them to handle the process with greater ease and comfort, and can result in a quicker recovery and better overall experience.