As usual, the male prostate gland becomes enlarged after the age of 40; this is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). This increase can cause a number of symptoms related to urination. You may also develop more serious bladder and kidney problems.
There are various effective treatment options for prostate adenoma, including medical and surgical options. The most common prostate surgery is transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR of the prostate).
Causes of enlarged prostate
The prostate is a nut-shaped gland located immediately after the neck of the bladder. Its main function is to produce a fluid that protects and enriches sperm.
As a man ages, the prostate gland gradually increases. It usually begins after the age of 40 and is thought to be caused by hormonal changes. This increase can cause difficulty urinating and can lead to problems with the bladder and kidneys. The increase occurs as a result of hyperplasia (an increase in the number of cells) and hypertrophy (an increase in cell size).
An enlarged prostate does not cause prostate cancer. However, prostate cancer can occur in men with an enlarged prostate.
Signs and symptoms
As the prostate gland gets larger, it narrows the urethra (the tube that drains urine from the bladder) and can interfere with the outflow of urine. This can lead to problems with urination, such as::
Increased urge to urinate
Uncontrollable urge to urinate
Nocturia – the need to get up often at night to urinate
Difficulty starting urine flow (indecisiveness)
Poor urine flow – weak flow or stop / start of flow
Dribbling of urine-especially at the end of urination
Incomplete emptying of the bladder.
The term LUTs (lower urinary tract symptoms) is commonly used to refer to a range of urinary symptoms associated with BPH.
Some men may have no symptoms at all, while others may have very severe symptoms. An enlarged prostate, if it is severe, can also lead to:
Chronic renal failure
Enlargement and thickening of the bladder walls
Bladder stones
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Bleeding from the urethra
Acute urinary retention.
Any of these situations can lead to damage to the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. If you experience burning, bleeding, or pain during urination, you should immediately consult a doctor. Not urinating at all requires urgent medical attention.
Diagnostics
If you have symptoms of prostate enlargement, you should see a doctor make an accurate diagnosis and recommend treatment. It is important to rule out other possible causes of symptoms such as prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) or prostate cancer. To diagnose this condition, your doctor will do the following::
Medical history
This includes the nature, duration, and severity of current symptoms, the presence of any other medical conditions, and a family history of prostate problems.
Physical examination
During the examination, the doctor will feel the presence of signs of an enlarged bladder in the abdominal cavity and conduct a digital rectal examination to check for an enlarged prostate gland.
Click to receive information related to disease, life style management and other important health related issues.
Free Healthy Recipe Cookbooks!
Visit MerckEngage.com to download your copy of up to 4 FREE cookbooks with recipes for up to 4
weeks of tasty, healthy meals!
