Symptoms And Therapy For Enlarged Prostate Gland

What is an enlarged prostate gland and how is it treated? An enlarged prostate gland is sometimes also called BPH (Benign prostatic hypertrophy/hyperplasia) .The prostate gland is the male reproductive gland that produces the ejaculation fluid that carries sperm. The prostate gland surrounds the tube that carries the out of the body, the urethra. An enlarged prostate is a common ailment as a man ages, but it can be quite uncomfortable and may worry the patient as whether he has prostate cancer. As the gland becomes larger, it presses on the urethra, which causes urination and bladder issues. Luckily, BPH is not cancer and does not increase the risk for cancer.

Although the exact cause of BPH is still unknown, research suggests that aging and hormones are linked to the growth of the gland. For example, if the testicles were removed early in life, BPH is rare. Similarly, if the testicles are removed after BPH develops, the prostate begins to shrink again. One treatment involves reducing the level of male hormones, or androgens, in order to reduce the enlargement.

It is important to note that less than 50% of men with BPH have significant symptoms. Usual signs of BPH include a weak urine stream, delay in starting urination, dribbling after urination, having to strain during urination, a sudden and strong need to urinate, incomplete emptying of the bladder, overactive bladder during the night, incontinence, and painful or bloody urination. However, these symptoms do not always mean an enlarged prostate gland, so it's important to go to the doctor. After a complete medical history, the doctor will probably perform a rectal exam to manually feel the size of the prostate gland. Other tests may include testing the flow rate as you urinate, testing to see if you completely empty your bladder during urination, testing the urination pressure, x-raying the organs to visually look for blockages, testing for infection, and of course screening for cancer.

There are several treatment options for an enlarged prostate gland. The choice of treatment will be based on how severe your symptoms are, your age, and your general level of health. You may be able to change your lifestyle and just wait it out. Other options include medication or radiation therapy to shrink the gland and prostatectomy, a surgery to completely remove the gland.

Men over 60 are more likely to have enlarged prostate glands, but it can start happening to any man as early as his 40's. Don't forget, however, that many with an enlarged prostate gland have no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Using at-home self-care steps that the doctor will recommend is often enough to help relieve the symptoms. More drastic treatments such as the radiation and surgery are needed only if the symptoms are severe enough that they interfere with your daily activities. After a diagnosis of an enlarged prostate gland, it is recommended to have a yearly physical exam to track the progression of the symptoms. If they get worse, more aggressive approaches in treatment may become necessary.

Privacy Policy