Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate, is a common condition that affects men as they age. The prostate is a small gland that produces semen and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. As the prostate enlarges, it can press on the urethra and make it difficult to urinate. you should try generic Viagra online to treat BPH
Symptoms of BPH
Symptoms of BPH can vary from mild to severe. Some men may not experience any symptoms at all, while others may find that their symptoms interfere with their daily activities. Common symptoms of BPH include:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Difficulty starting to urinate
- A weak or dribbling urine stream
- Feeling like the bladder is not empty after urinating
- Having to strain to urinate
- Sudden urges to urinate
Causes of BPH
The exact cause of BPH is unknown, but it is thought to be related to changes in hormone levels as men age. Other factors that may contribute to BPH include:
- Family history
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
Diagnosis of BPH
If you are experiencing symptoms of BPH, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis. The doctor will likely ask you about your medical history and perform a physical exam. They may also order some tests, such as:
- Digital rectal exam (DRE): The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate for size and firmness.
- Urinalysis: A test to check for signs of infection or other problems in the urine.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: A blood test to measure the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate. A high PSA level can be a sign of BPH, but it can also be a sign of prostate cancer.
- Urinary flow test: A test to measure the strength and flow of your urine stream.
Treatment of BPH
There are a variety of treatments available for BPH, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Treatment options include:
- Lifestyle changes: Some lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and emptying your bladder completely when you urinate, can help to improve symptoms of BPH.
- Medications: There are a number of medications that can help to shrink the prostate or relax the muscles around the urethra, making it easier to urinate.
- Procedures: There are a number of minimally invasive and surgical procedures that can be used to treat BPH.
Complications of BPH
If left untreated, BPH can lead to a number of complications, including:
- Urinary tract infections
- Bladder stones
- Kidney damage
- Urinary retention (the inability to urinate)
Prevention of BPH
There is no known way to prevent BPH, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing the condition, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
If you are concerned about BPH, talk to your doctor. They can help you to assess your risk, monitor your symptoms, and recommend the best treatment options for you.
Symptoms of BPH
In addition to the common symptoms listed above, BPH can also cause the following:
- Hesitancy: Difficulty starting to urinate
- Post-micturition dribbling: Urination that continues after you think you have finished urinating
- Straining: Having to push to urinate
- Nocturia: Waking up at night to urinate
- Urinary retention: The inability to urinate completely
Causes of BPH
The exact cause of BPH is unknown, but it is thought to be related to changes in hormone levels as men age. The prostate gland is under the influence of the hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). As men age, their testosterone levels decline, but their DHT levels remain high. This imbalance in hormone levels is thought to contribute to the growth of the prostate gland.
Other factors that may contribute to BPH include:
- Family history: If you have a family history of BPH, you are more likely to develop the condition yourself.
- Obesity: Obesity is a risk factor for many chronic diseases, including BPH.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can damage the nerves that control the bladder and prostate gland, which can lead to BPH symptoms.
- Heart disease: Heart disease can also damage the nerves that control the bladder and prostate gland, which can lead to BPH symptoms.
- High blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage the arteries that supply blood to the prostate gland, which can lead to BPH.
Diagnosis of BPH
If you are experiencing symptoms of BPH, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis. The doctor will likely ask you about your medical history and perform a physical exam. They may also order some tests, such as:
- Digital rectal exam (DRE): The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate for size and firmness.
- Urinalysis: A test to check for signs of infection or other problems in the urine.
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test: A blood test to measure the level of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate. A high PSA level can be a sign of BPH, but it can also be a sign of prostate cancer.
- Urinary flow test: A test to measure the strength and flow of your urine stream.
Treatment of BPH
There are a variety of treatments available for BPH, depending on the severity of your symptoms. Treatment options include:
- Lifestyle changes: Some lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and emptying your bladder completely when you urinate, can help to improve symptoms of BPH.
- Medications: There are a number of medications that can help to shrink the prostate or relax the muscles around the urethra, making it easier to urinate. Medications commonly used to treat BPH include:
- Alpha-blockers: These medications relax the muscles around the prostate and urethra, making it easier to urinate.
- 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: These medications block the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which can help to shrink the prostate gland.
- Procedures: There are a number of minimally invasive and surgical procedures that can be used to treat BPH. Minimally invasive procedures include:
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): This procedure is used to remove excess prostate tissue.
- Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP): This procedure involves making small cuts in the prostate gland to widen the urethra.
- Laser therapy: This procedure uses laser energy to destroy excess prostate tissue.
- UroLift system: This procedure involves placing small implants in the prostate gland to lift and open the urethra. Surgical procedures include:
- Prostatectomy: This procedure involves removing the entire prostate gland.
Complications of BPH
If left untreated, BPH can lead to a number of complications, including:
- Urinary tract infections
- Bladder stones
- Kidney damage
- Urinary retention (the inability to urinate)
Prevention of BPH
There is no known way to prevent BPH, but there are some things you can do to reduce your risk of developing the condition, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
If you are concerned about BPH,talk to your doctor.They can help you to assess your risk,monitor your symptoms,and recommend the best treatment options for you.
