Enlarged Prostate Symptoms

An enlarged prostate is very common among men as they age. In fact, 50% of men over the age of sixty have this condition and that percentage increases to 90% by the age of eighty five. About a third of all men need treatment for this condition. Knowing what the symptoms are and when to consult a doctor should be something all men are informed about. An enlarged prostate is often nothing to be concerned about, but if you are suffering from enlarged prostate symptoms it is best to have a medical checkup. Prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate have similar symptoms and only a professional can determine what treatment, if any, is needed.

Enlarged prostate symptoms include:

• a sudden urge to urinate,
• frequent urination,
• the need to urinate during the night,
• difficulty when beginning to urinate, and
• slow or dribbling flow during urination

This is due to the fact that the urethra, which move through and out of the body, is surrounded by the prostate gland. When this gland becomes enlarged, it presses on the urethra and symptoms appear. As this condition progresses, you may experience any or all of the following:

• a bladder infection or bladder stones,
• blood in your urine,
• kidney damage to urine retention, or
• a urinary tube blockage will prevent urine from passing through the tube

In order to determine if these are enlarged prostate symptoms or due to something else, your doctor will do a digital rectal exam. This will be in addition to a complete physical and medical history review. The rectal exam will allow him to see if the prostate is enlarged and, if it is, how much it has grown. Also, he will look for hard areas that may signal cancer. Several tests may also be performed including:

• a flow study to determine how much urine flow has slowed,
• a urinalysis,
• a BPH symptom score index to determine the severity of this condition, and
• a study to determine if your bladder is retaining fluid after urination is complete

As you can see, an enlarged prostate is normal in men and should not be a cause of major concern. Yet, this condition does need to be checked out by a professional to ensure that this is normal and not symptoms of a more serious condition. Either way, he will work out a treatment plan to allow you to lead a normal life without complications. If treatment is needed, there are many options which your doctor will discuss with you.

Treatment for an Enlarged Prostate

If you are suffering from enlarged prostate symptoms, there are many treatments available which you and your doctor may choose from. Your doctor may recommend some of the following actions:

• that growth of your prostate be monitored or
• he may recommend surgery,
• medication or
• minimally invasive treatments

The best treatment plan can only be determined after a thorough examination and medical history review. Yet, don’t put off this examination due to fear as treatment, if needed, is always easier when a condition is caught in the early stages.

Medications that may be used to treat enlarged prostate symptoms include drugs which inhibit dihydrotestosterone (DHT) production. This hormone has been shown to cause prostate growth. This is for those whose prostate is considerably larger than normal. One such medication is Proscar. If your condition is not that severe, alpha blockers may be used. This type of drug relaxes the prostate muscle thereby relieving tension on the urine tube. Flomax and Cadura are two common types of this medication. It also appears that a combination of both drugs may be the most beneficial. This may slow the prostate’s growth while controlling symptoms.

Surgery is another method of treating enlarged prostate symptoms. Two procedures are currently used and your doctor will determine which is appropriate for your situation. Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) is used to relieve pressure on the urethra which will improve urine flow. This is accomplished by widening the urethra through a series of small cuts in the bladder neck and prostate gland. The other common procedure is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and is used more frequently than TUIP. Here, a special instrument is used to remove tissue blocking the urethra. With this procedure, there are side effects which must be taken into consideration. These include:

• impotence,
• bleeding,
• infection, and
• incontinence

Minimally invasive procedures may be your best bet for treating enlarged prostate symptoms. Interstitial Laser Coagulation (ILC) is a procedure that is performed in an operating room although you may be awake. The prostate is numbed and the doctor uses a laser fiber to heat the prostate’s interior. With this technique, your doctor can treat enlarged areas specifically as he can see the prostate. Transurethral Electrovaporization heats the prostate tissue which turns into steam. This effectively vaporizes the areas of enlargement to relieve obstruction. Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT) is an outpatient procedure which increases urine flow while minimizing side effects and requires minimal medication for the procedure. Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT) uses radiofrequency to burn away portions of the enlarged prostate. The best procedure for your condition will be determined by your doctor only after he has reviewed all test results along with your medical history. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and make suggestions. Treatments are for your benefit so make sure you get one that will alleviate symptoms.