All you need to know about Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia(BPH)

01/20/2023

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH is basically a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged. This condition is more common in men of older age.

The prostate gland is usually the size of a walnut and it surrounds a part of urethra. Therefore, when it gets enlarged, it puts pressure on the bladder causing pain and discomfort. Prostate is a part of male reproductive system and its main work is to produce fluid for semen that helps in lubrication. People who suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia face problems such as difficulty and pain while passing urine, inability to empty the bladder, problems in evaluation etc. Benign prostatic hyperplasia also causes problems with the urinary bladder, urinary tract and kidneys. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the symptoms as early as possible so that the doctor can begin the treatment in time. Early diagnosis in such conditions helps in providing more effective solutions.

Some common symptoms of BPH:

The symptoms for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia vary from person to person and the severity of their condition. But the symptoms get worse as the condition becomes severe. Therefore, it is necessary to know the probable symptoms so that one can seek appropriate medical help and prevent any serious condition. Some of the probable warning signs and symptoms may include:

• Frequent urge to urinate
• Nocturnal or increased for frequency of urination during night
• Dribbling after urination
• Inability to empty the bladder
• Pain during urination
• Weak urine stream
• Burning pain
• Blood in urine
• No bladder control
• Leaking
• Pain after ejaculating
• Odor in urine
• Change in color of the urine
• Severe pain in the lower abdomen
• Inability to urine

Risk factors and causes:

There are certain conditions that increase the vulnerability of a person of having BPH. According to the best Nephrologist in Jaipur, older men are at greater risk of having BPH as the size of the prostate increases with age. Several researchers suggest imbalance of hormones in the body can be one of the causes behind BPH. It is seen that as a man ages, the level of testosterone decreases and the amount of estrogen levels are the same. This causes fluctuation in hormones that further leads to enlargement of the prostate. Some of the risk factors due to which men are likely to have BPH include:

• Older age
• Family history of BPH
• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Circulatory disease
• Type 2 diabetes
• Lack of exercise and physical activity
• Unhealthy eating habits
• Unhealthy or sedentary lifestyle
• Urinary tract infection
• Inflammation of prostate
• Narrowing of urethra
• Scarring in bladder
• Kidney stones
• Bladder or prostate cancer

Diagnosis:

The doctor usually asks for the symptoms and enquires about family history if any, and then performs a physical test to ensure. After the physical examination, if the size of the prostate seems enlarged or detect any hard areas or lumps that could be cancerous then the best doctors in Jaipur recommend some test for accurate diagnosis and see if there is any other problem. Some of the recommended tests may include:

• Urine flow test- to measure the intensity of the urine flow
• Cystoscope- to see inside of the bladder
• Urine test
• PSA blood test
• Ultrasound of the prostate and urinary tract
• Biopsy of the prostate
• Urodynamic testing

Treatment:
The treatment for BPH usually depends upon the type of symptoms, condition of the patients and its severity. Generally, in a Urology surgery hospital in Jaipur, the doctors suggest lifestyle changes and medications in order to treat the symptoms. Surgery is only recommended in cases where other treatment methods do not work. Lifestyle changes such as avoiding drinking, avoiding consumption of caffeine, bladder training, treatment of constipation helps the patient to improve their condition. Further medicines to shrink the prostate, relax the muscles to improve blood flow and stopping the prostate to grow are recommended.

Other medical procedures and surgery are only opted when the above mentioned methods fail to work. Procedures to widen the urethra or destroy the infected part of the prostate can be done in order to improve the symptoms. Surgical methods are used to remove the entire prostate or parts of it and make cuts in the prostate to release the pressure from the urethra .