Regional Medical Center of San Jose

What Are the Advantages of the da Vinci Prostatectomy Procedure?

If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you have several treatment options to consider for your case. One of the most modern and sophisticated treatments available today is minimally invasive prostatectomy with da Vinci Robotic Surgery. This advanced surgical procedure is available through the regionally recognized Robotic Surgery Institute at Regional Medical Center of San Jose, and it offers the following benefits over conventional surgery and radiation therapy.

Rapid Recovery
Prostate cancer patients who have opted for the da Vinci Prostatectomy have experienced faster recovery than conventional surgery patients thanks to smaller incisions and greater surgical accuracy. The da Vinci procedure also helps patients avoid common side effects of radiation therapy such as poor erectile function and urinary incontinence. Most patients are able to return to normal non-strenuous activities within a few days of the procedure.

Precise Treatment
In clinical trials, da Vinci Prostatectomy has performed better than conventional surgery in cancer control, as surgeons can more accurately pinpoint cancerous lesions and remove them with unbeatable precision. The precise and predictable movements of the da Vinci System also protect healthy tissues surrounding the prostate that might suffer damage in open surgery or radiation therapy.

Fewer Complications
Like all da Vinci procedures, the da Vinci Prostatectomy promises less surgical scarring, reduced blood loss, reduced risk of infection, and less pain than conventional surgery. Because these complications are much less likely with this type of surgery, hospital stays are shorter, which results in a more cost-effective procedure.

To learn more about da Vinci Robotically Assisted Surgery or take the next steps following a prostate cancer diagnosis, contact Regional Medical Center of San Jose. You can reach us on our website, or call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (888) 762-8881 to find a urologist specializing in robotic surgery procedures.

Encouraging Dad to Improve His Prostate Health

With Father’s Day and Men’s Health Week approaching, you might feel inspired to provide your dad with some positive encouragement to improve his health. One way that you can work to give your dad the gift of health this Father’s Day is by offering some prostate health reminders. The tips below can help you get your dad on track to better prostate health while celebrating his special day.

Prepare a healthy Father’s Day meal
Research has shown that regularly consuming vegetables in the broccoli family can significantly reduce a man’s risk for prostate cancer. Cooked tomatoes, omega-3 rich varieties of fish, and olive oil have also shown positive effects in prostate cancer prevention, so you might include all of these foods in a nutritious Father’s Day dinner to show your dad the best way to dine for his health.

Take a long hike
Men who are obese have greater chances of developing both aggressive and non-aggressive types of prostate cancer. If your dad is not at his ideal weight, you might help him get up and get moving with a long hike outdoors. Not only will the exercise be helpful for weight management, but the nature views and fresh air of a hike can also provide some therapeutic stress relief.

Schedule an annual checkup for dad
Instead of giving dad a typical greeting card for Father’s Day, you might give him a reminder card for his next annual checkup at the doctor’s office. Visiting the doctor regularly will help your dad manage his prostate cancer risk better and explore the benefits of prostate cancer screening after the age of 50.

For more tips on inspiring the men in your life to make healthy lifestyle changes, visit Regional Medical Center of San Jose. Our men’s health services cover needs from cardiology to urology to nutrition. To find a physician specializing in any of these areas, call our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (888) 762-8881.

Stroke Care at Regional Medical Center of San Jose

Stroke is one of the most common causes of emergency room visits at Regional Medical Center of San Jose, and we provide comprehensive rapid stroke care through our nationally recognized Certified Stroke Center.

To learn about the signs that you should get to the hospital for stroke treatment, watch this video clip featuring a member of our stroke care team, Dr. Arash Padidar. He explains that every moment matters between the onset of symptoms and the delivery of treatment, so any sign of stroke should be taken seriously.

As one of the largest stroke centers in the Bay Area, Regional Medical Center of San Jose is proud to boast a Gold Plus rating in the American Stroke Association’s “Get with the Guidelines” program. You can learn more about our awards and accreditation by visiting our website or by calling us at (888) 762-8881.

Living with Aphasia Following a Stroke

When a stroke affects certain parts of the brain, it can forever alter a person’s language production and comprehension. These communication difficulties resulting from stroke are referred to as aphasia, which can create major challenges in everyday activities. To honor National Aphasia Awareness Month this June and raise awareness about this condition, Regional Medical Center of San Jose has provided these tips for coping with aphasia in stroke rehabilitation.

Working with Family Members
Family members may need to work with a physician or speech pathologist to fully understand the communication limitations of a relative with aphasia. It is important for family members to have this understanding and learn methods for effective, direct communication with a relative who has survived a stroke. Because aphasia does not affect an individual’s intelligence, it is still possible to spend quality time with a loved one who is suffering from aphasia.

Attending Speech Therapy
While aphasia may pose long-term challenges and even have some permanent effects, there are ways to improve speech and language comprehension following a stroke. Speech therapy will be a primary source for re-learning language skills during stroke rehabilitation, and it may begin almost immediately after primary stroke care at the hospital.

Find Support Groups
If you or a family member is coping with aphasia, there are others who have been in your situation. You can reach out and find support within this understanding community of stroke survivors and their loved ones by attending a stroke or aphasia support group.

For stroke survivor support, rehabilitation, and primary stroke treatment, you can rely on the caring staff at Regional Medical Center of San Jose to offer the care you need. Our Certified Stroke Center has consistently been given a Gold Plus rating in the American Stroke Association’s “Get with the Guidelines” Program, and we treat more than 400 patients for stroke every year. You can learn more about our Stroke Center and rehabilitation services by visiting our website or calling our Consult-A-Nurse healthcare referral line at (888) 762-8881.

Exploring the Most Common Causes of Infertility

Have you recently been told that you are infertile? Though you may be feeling frustration and confusion, remember also to retain your hope. With the help of quality healthcare providers like Regional Medical Center of San Jose, you can find the cause of your infertility and create a treatment plan to overcome it. The following article highlights some of the more common reasons behind both male and female infertility:

Existing Health Issues
Both men and women may suffer from preexisting conditions that prevent their ability to conceive a child. The male partner can be subject to a low sperm count or immobile sperm. Women may have one or more reproductive issues, including polycystic ovary syndrome, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis, which inhibit conception or successful pregnancy. The good news is that upon receiving a proper diagnosis, many infertile individuals can receive treatment to alleviate these conditions.

Age
Both male and female partners may experience conception issues as they age, but women face age-related fertility issues earlier in life. The chances of conception and pregnancy decrease significantly by the time a woman reaches 35 years of age, which is why older couples may suffer higher instances of infertility than their younger counterparts. If you are 35 years old or older and have been trying to get pregnant for more than six months, consult a physician about infertility testing.

Lifestyle Choices
The cause of a person’s infertility may stem from her everyday habits and behaviors. Studies indicate that both excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco use can decrease fertility in men and women. Because heightened levels of estrogen can diminish fertility, overweight women may want to consider their weight loss options to increase their chances of conception.

April 21 to April 27 is National Fertility Awareness Week. If you are suffering conception difficulties, call Regional Medical Center of San Jose at (888) 762-8881 to schedule a consultation at our San Jose hospital. If you are currently pregnant and experiencing complications, please use our iTriage symptom checker to alert our emergency room staff to your arrival.