When does prostate enlargement begin and how can it be cured?

Prostate Enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)Photo credit: activemancom

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 the 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.

Blood tests

They will be performed to check kidney function and to check for PSA (prostate-specific Antigen). PSA is a protein secreted into the bloodstream by the prostate gland. A higher-than-normal level may indicate an enlarged prostate or inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis). or prostate cancer. PSA levels are usually significantly elevated in prostate cancer, but not always.

Continue reading: When does prostate enlargement begin and how can it be cured?