What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition that affects
the prostate gland in men. The prostate is a gland found between the
bladder (where urine is stored) and the urethra (the tube urine
passes through). As men age, the prostate gland slowly grows bigger
(or enlarges). As the prostate gets bigger, it may press on the
urethra and cause the flow of urine to be slower and less forceful.
"Benign" means the enlargement isn't caused by cancer or infection.
"Hyperplasia" means enlargement.
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What are the symptoms of BPH?
Most symptoms of BPH start gradually. One symptom is the need to
get up more often at night to urinate. Another symptom is the need
to empty the bladder often during the day. Other symptoms include
difficulty in starting the urine flow and dribbling after urination
ends. The size and strength of the urine stream may decrease.
Problems can an enlarged prostate
cause:
The enlargement of the prostate
gland stretches and distorts the urethra and so obstructs the urine
flow. Symptoms include:
-
a weak or interrupted urinary stream.
Several attempts to empty the bladder may be necessary.
-
difficulty starting the urine flow,
even when the bladder feels full.
-
a feeling the bladder is not
completely empty.
-
a need to urinate often during the day
and during the night. Increased need to urinate in the night is usually a very early symptom.
-
a need to urinate right away. Some men
may experience involuntary discharge of urine.
-
dribbling of urine after urination.
-
burning sensation or pain during
urination.
Different men get different symptoms - the
symptoms may also vary with each individual throughout the course of
the disease. It is important to emphasise that the above symptoms do
not necessarily prove that the prostate is enlarged. Other diseases
may cause similar symptoms. Men with problems urinating should
always see their doctor.
These symptoms can be caused by other things besides BPH. They
may be signs of more serious diseases, such as a bladder infection
or bladder cancer. Tell your doctor if you have any of these
symptoms, so he or she can decide which tests to use to find the
possible cause.
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How will my doctor know if I have BPH?
After your doctor takes a complete history of your symptoms, a
rectal exam is the next step. This exam allows your doctor to
actually feel the size of the prostate gland.
It might not be possible for your doctor to be sure that your
prostate problem is benign just by taking a history and performing a
physical exam. Your doctor might need to look at a sample of your
urine for signs of infection. Your doctor may also do a blood test.
An ultrasound exam or a biopsy of the prostate may help your doctor
make the diagnosis.
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How will my doctor treat my BPH?
Once your doctor is sure that your symptoms are caused by benign
growth of the prostate gland, treatment can be recommended. However,
your doctor may suggest that you wait to see if your symptoms get
better because sometimes mild symptoms get better on their own. If
your symptoms get worse, your doctor may suggest another treatment
option.
Surgery is considered the most effective treatment and is used in
men with strong symptoms. This is also the best way to diagnose and
cure early cancer of the prostate. Surgery is usually done through
the urethra, leaving no scars. Surgery does have risks, such as
bleeding, infection or impotence. These risks are generally small.
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Are there any drugs I can take?
Drug treatments are available. Finasteride (brand name: Proscar)
and dutasteride (brand name: Avodart) blocks a natural hormone that
makes the prostate enlarge, but it does not help all patients. The
side effects of finasteride are rare and mild, but they usually have
to do with sexual function. They go away when the medicine is
stopped. The prostate will enlarge again when the medicine is
stopped, so another treatment may have to be tried.
Another kind of medicine, called alpha blockers, also can help
the symptoms of BPH. Some of these drugs are terazosin (brand name:
Hytrin), doxazosin (brand name: Cardura), tamsulosin (brand name:
Flomax) and alfuzosin (brand name: Uroxatral). Alpha blockers have
been used for a long time to treat high blood pressure, but they can
also help the symptoms of BPH, even in men with normal blood
pressure. These medicines may not work in all men. The side effects
of alpha blockers are mild and go away if you stop taking the
medicine. The side effects include dizziness, fatigue and
lightheadedness
Note from Editor: As someone who suffers from BPH
and did not feel like having the surgery - I read about the use of
the alternative medicine - SAW PALMETTO and FISH OIL - it works for me.
It has reduced the incidence of dribbling and night visits - so far
I have noticed NO side effects.
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