Enlarged Prostate Problems

The prostate gland is a part of the male reproductive system. It performs the vital functions of producing fluid for enriching the sperm. It also helps in the propulsion of the semen. This small gland is located beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra. As men grow older, the prostate might get enlarged and cause certain urinary problems. This condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatic hypertrophy. If left untreated, this medical condition can cause a great deal of discomfort. Men suffering from this condition might have to wake up several times during the night to pass urine. Here's some information on causes, symptoms and treatment of an enlarged prostate problems.

Enlarged Prostate

Causes and Symptoms

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. It is caused due to an increase in the number of cells. The prostate gland performs the function of converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The cell growth in the tissues of the gland could be caused due to stimulation by DH or exposure to the hormones.

The enlargement of the prostate gland could also be attributed to an increase in the level of estrogen. In men, urine flows from the bladder through the urethra. Since the prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube which passes urine from the bladder, enlargement of this gland can cause urinary problems. When this gland gets enlarged, it puts pressure on the urethra and obstructs the flow of urine through the urethra. Due to the pressure exerted by the enlarged gland, the urethra becomes narrow and therefore, the affected person experiences difficulty while passing urine.

The bladder has to contract in order to force out the urine. Such forceful contractions might make the bladder very sensitive. The bladder might contract if there is even a small amount of urine in it. The symptoms of prostate gland enlargement include frequent urge to urinate, weak urinary stream, urgency to urinate, dribbling at the end of urinating, waking up at night to urinate or incontinence. Incomplete emptying of the bladder could also make the person vulnerable to urinary tract infections. Painful urination or blood in urine could be indicative of urinary infections.

Treatment Options

Men who have been experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms must consult a urologist. Besides studying the patient's medical history, diagnostic procedures such as blood tests and urine analysis will also help the doctors confirm the diagnosis. Since prostate cancer can also cause such symptoms, a prostate antigen test will be required to check for prostate cancer. Prostate exam, digital rectal examination, pressure flow studies, post-void residual urine tests will also help in evaluating whether the person is suffering from prostate gland enlargement or not.

The treatment options that may be recommended by a urologist will depend on the severity of the symptoms. The treatment options include surgical as well as non-surgical measures. Certain steps can be taken to alleviate the symptoms. Men who have been diagnosed with this condition must not drink a lot of fluid at one go. Spreading out fluids throughout the day would be helpful. You must do away with the habit of drinking fluids before bedtime otherwise you might have to wake up at night for passing urine. Learning pelvic strengthening exercises will also help.

Besides using medications, following the dietary guidelines given by the medical experts might also help. Certain medicines might also help in alleviating the symptoms. Alpha 1-blockers relax the muscles of the bladder neck and prostate and facilitate easier urination. Some medicines such as finasteride and dutasteride are helpful in reducing the size of the prostate gland but these might have some side effects.

An inflamed prostate or an infection in the gland might be treated with the help of antibiotics. If medications are not helpful in alleviating the symptoms, doctors might recommend prostate surgery. Though this condition is common in older men, this condition could affect young men also. Young men who have been diagnosed with this condition could be treated using less invasive procedures. Transurethral needle ablation, water-induced or microwave thermotherapy or laser method can be used to destroy the prostate tissue. The most commonly used surgical procedure for treating prostate enlargement is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). A simple prostatectomy is another procedure in which just the inner part of the prostate is removed.

This was some information on the problems associated with an enlarged prostate gland. If you have been experiencing any such symptoms, consult an urologist soon.