Benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH ) is a most common condition affecting the prostate gland in men especially as they age. It’s also called Enlarged prostate.
A small gland called the prostate aids in the production of semen. Usually growing larger with age ,it is located just beneath the bladder. Men are most likely to have this issue from as they mature, it affects nearly all them. A sudden urge to urinate and difficulties in urination are the main symptoms. Minimally Invasive technique, medicine and surgery are all part of the treatment.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition in which your Prostate grows in size.
The prostate if a gland situated Beneath The bladder. it is around the size of a walnut and surround section of your urethra.
Urethra is a channel that transport urine and sperm (ejaculate) from your body, if your prostate swell in size it may block sperm from flowing through urethra.
BPH isn’t cancerous. However, sign and symptoms of BPH may leads to more serious conditions including Prostate cancer.
Does having benign prostatic hyperplasia increase the risk of Prostate cancer?
Research shows that having BPH doesn’t increase your risk of developing prostate cancer.
However, BPH and prostate cancer have similar symptoms. If you have BPH, you may have undetected prostate cancer at the same time.
To help detect Prostate cancer it’s early stages, every person with a prostate should get prostate screening every year between the age of 55 and 69. You have at increase risk of getting prostate cancer if you have family history of Prostate cancer, you should start getting prostate screening at age 40.
How common is benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is very common. More than 10 million cases per year (India).
By age 60, about 50% of people with a prostate will have some sign of BPH. By the age of 85, about 90% will have signs of the condition.
About half of all people with develop symptoms that require treatment.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES
What are the warning signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Prostate surrounds your urethra. When due to BPH it can cause blockage in your urethra and it may leads early symptoms of BPH include:
Dribbling or slow urination.
Having troubles to starting urinate.
Leaking (incontinence)– Sudden urge to urinate (urgency).
Nocturia (Need to get up at night to pee.)
Not being able to completely empty your bladder.
Pain during ejaculation or while urination.
Your urine’s color changes.
Urine smells.
Increased frequency of urination.
What happens if you leave an enlarge prostate untreated?
Without any medical treatment, BPH can causes further urethral blockage and symptoms may worsening your discomfort.
It may also cause :
Urinary tract infections (UTI).
Bladder stones. (Cystoliths)
Blood inurine. (Hematuria).
kidney damage due to urine backflow from the bladder to kidney. The urine backflow may increases pressure on your kidney.
What causes benign prostatic hyperplasia?
The exact cause of BPH isn’t fully understood by researchers but several factors are belived to contribute :
1) Hormonal changes:
As man age, the balance of hormones particularly testosterone and estrogen changes which may Trigger prostate growth.
2) Dihydrotestosterone:
DHT, a more potent form of testosterone which is accumulate in the Prostate, as a man age it stimulates prostate cells to grow ,which can leads to enlargement.
3) Genetic:
Family history can increase the risk, especially for men who have closed male relatives with BPH.
4) Age:
BPH is uncommon in men under 40 and the likelihood of developing it increases with age.
5) Lifestyle factor
Obesity , lack of exercise and high fat diets may increases the risk, while physical activity and the healthy diet may help to reduce it.
While BPH is not like threatening condition its symptoms like – frequent urination, trouble starting urination, weak urination stream and incomplete bladder can significantly impact quality of life
What type of doctor treats benign prostatic hyperplasia?
If your healthcare providers suspected you have BPH, they may refer you to a urologist. A urologist is a doctor who specialized in treating.h conditions that affect your urinary system.
Diagnosis and testes
How is benign prostatic hyperplasia Diagnosed?
RECTAL EXAMINATION
During a digital rectal examination, doctor inserted gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum and asses the edged and surface of the prostate, estimate the size ,shape and texture of prostate and detect any hard areas that could be cancer.
laboratory studies
1) Blood tests:
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) Levels are frequently measured with a blood test. The prostate cells create a protein called PSA. In male with BPH, the PSA level may rise. Although nen without raised PSA can also have prostate cancer, individual with prostate cancer frequently have a significantly abnormally higher PSA level.
2) Urinalysis:
The urine examination by using dipstick methods and via centrifuged sediment evaluation to assess for the the presence of fluid ,leukocytes ,bacteria, protein or glucose.
3) Urine culture:
this may be useful to exclude infectious causes of irritative voiding and is usually performed if the initial urinalysis finding indicating an abnormality.
4) Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
although BPH does not cause prostate cancer, men at risk for BPH are also at risk for this disease and should be screened accordingly (although screening for prostate cancer remains controversial).
Ultrasonography:
In patients with urinary retention or any signs of kidney insufficiency Ultrasonography (abdominal, renal, transrectal) is useful for measuring the size of bladder and the degree of hydronephrosis.
Generally, it is not Indicated for the initial evaluation of uncomplicated LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms).
Cystoscopy:
Cystoscopy is a procedure that allows a doctor to look inside the bladder and urethra using a thin, flexible tube with a camera, called a cystoscope. Thus is commonly done to diagnose the issue inside the urinary tract such as bladder problems, urethral strictures or to evaluate symptoms like blood in urine, pain or frequent urinary tract infections.In men like with condition like benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).
Cystoscopy help doctors to see inside for any blockage caused by enlarged prostate. The procedure is typically done under the anesthesia and it provides clear images, helping guide the best treatment options.
Management and Treatment
Can benign prostatic hyperplasia be cured ?
There is no treatment for BPH. There are nevertheless ways to assist reduce your discomfort.
Treatment
Medications for an enlarged prostate:
The most commonly prescribed medication relax muscles in your prostate, which reduces tension of your urethra. Example include:
Some medication decrease the production of the hormone DHT, which can slow the growth of your prostate gland. These medication are most beneficial to people with larger Prostate. Examples include:
Your Doctors may provider may prescribed medications that help treat your symptoms as well as improve ypur urine flow.
Dutasteride
Tamsulosin
After you start a medications ,it may take between one to eight weeks to improve your symptoms and discomfort.
SURGERY
Several different typed of surgery can remove prostate tissue and improovd our urethral flow . These include:
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): Your urologist insert a special instrument (Resectoscope) through your urethra that allows them to see and remove prostate tissue.
TURP is the most effective treatment for most cases of BPH.
Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP): Your urologist makes two small incisions in your prostate and where your urethra and bladder join (bladder neck) to widen your urethra and improve urine flow.https://youtu.be/8Kccu4gGYh4?si=6yqO3lL5T4XQu7sX
Transurethral electro vaporization: urologist uses an electrode to heat your prostate tissue. This turns the tissue cells in the enlarged areas of your prostate into steam.https://youtu.be/Fs1h691xha0?si=21Uex88Co2jupDjp
Greenlight leaser treatment: urologist uses a special leser to evaporate your enlarge prostate tissue. Other names for greenlight laser treatment include photoselective vaporization of Prostate (PVP) and prostate photo vaporization.
After a surgical procedure, you should be able to resume normal activites within a few days or a week.
Minimally Invasive treatments
New BPH treatment are leds Invasive and damaging to healthy tissue than surgery. In general, most of these treatment are outpatient procedures, which mean you can go home the same day as the procedure. They’re also affordable and have fewer side effects and allow faster recovery.
Examples of minimally invasive treatment include:
Prostatic urethral lift : This procedure separates your enlarged prostate lobes to make your urethra wider, making it easier to pee. Your urologist inserts a special instrument into your prostate. When the UroLift reaches the side wall of your prostate, it ejects small implants that pull prostate lobes apart and open your urethra. Your urologist nay place two to six implants, depending on the size of your prostate.
Rezum therapy : Your urologist inserts an instrument into your urethra and moves it to your prostate. The needle emits steam vapor, which turns into water. The water’s thermal energy destroys your prostate cells. Your body reabsorbs the dead cells, and your prostate shrinks.
The most common side effects of these treatment include increased urination (peeing) more than normal and discomfort or irritation while your prostate heals.
After a Minimally invasive procedure, patient be able to return to his daily living activities in a few days. Patient see improvement in his symptoms within three to six weeks.
Prevention
How can I reduce my risk of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia?
The best ways to reduce your risk of developing BPH are to make lifestyle changes that improve your prostate and heart and take supplements.
Exercising at least 30 minutes everyday may help to prevent BPH. Maintaining normal cholesterol, blood sugar levels is also important.
The following Herbal supplements may also help reduce your risk of developing BPH:
1. Beta-sitosterol:
beta sitosterol is the micronutrient in plant that may help keep your heart healthy.
2. Pygeum Africanum:
Pygeum Africanum is a herbal extract from Africa Cherry tree Bark that may help shrink enlargeed prostate.
3. Flaxseed:
Flaxseed flex is a good source of dietary fibres and Omega-3 fatty acid that may help lower your cholesterol.
4. Pumpkin seeds oil:
Pumpkin seeds oil comes from Pumpkin seeds. it my health shrink your prostate.
Talk to your health-care providers before taking any new supplements. They may adversely react to other supplement or meditation you’re currently taking.
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