Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

WHAT IS BPH?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate is a common condition that is often seen in older men. Prostrate is the organ that surrounds Urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine and semen. The larger prostate puts pressure on Urethra. It leads to urination issues. Enlarged prostate gland may also adversely impact the kidney and urinary bladder.

The prostate gland doubles in size at the onset of puberty and again starts to grow at the age of around 45 years. From then on it continues to grow.

In some people, it may enlarge to an abnormal extent and be referred to as an enlarged prostate. It is an ageing process. The changes that occur in the body as men get older and that is associated with the balancing of the sex hormones may specifically cause the condition. But the more exact causes are not known.

BPH (ENLARGED PROSTATE) SYMPTOMS

There are a number of symptoms related to the enlargement of the prostate gland which clearly indicate the presence of the condition. These symptoms may also worsen gradually over a period if the disease is not treated early. Symptoms include:

• A weak stream of urine
• Difficulty in starting urination
• A urine stream that starts and stops abruptly.
• Nocturia or increased urination frequency during the night
• Frequent and urgent need of urination during the day
• Sense of incomplete urination
• Dribbling at the end of urination
• Infection in the urinary tract
• Blood in urine
• A complete inability towards urination

There is no clear link between the size of the prostate and the symptoms. Some men having smaller prostate enlargements have more severe symptoms and vice versa.

Symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland may also coincide or be the same as the symptoms of other medical conditions including cancer or inflammation of the prostate, the presence of stones in bladder, and other conditions. Enlargement of the prostate is not cancer but only a doctor can diagnose the real cause of the symptoms.

RISK FACTORS OF BPH (ENLARGED PROSTATE)

Below are the most common risk factors for BPH:

• Age is risk factor of BPH and one-third of men in between the ages 40 to 60 years may have moderate to mild symptoms. Around half the male population at the age of 80 and above has the symptoms of BPH.
• Diseases including heart disease and diabetes may increase the risk of BPH.

When to see your doctor for BPH (Enlarged Prostate)?
An enlarged prostate (BPH) is mostly having the symptoms related to difficulty in urination, as stated earlier. It is important to see the doctor if you have any of the symptoms as these will worsen over time and may also impact the health of other organs that are part of the urinary system.

BPH (ENLARGED PROSTATE) COMPLICATIONS

The disease may have serious and grave complications later on.

Urinary Retention – When the patient has a complete inability towards urinating, the urine gets accumulated inside the bladder and a catheter may be used for draining it out of the body.

Frequent UTIs – If the urine is not adequately drained, frequent infections of the urinary tract may occur.

Kidney Damage – Damage to kidneys may also occur because of the increased pressure in the bladder due to retention of urine. The infections of the bladder may also reach the kidneys.

Bladder stones may occur in the bladder because of urine retention and may be a cause of irritation, infections, and occurrence of blood in the urine. The stones may also obstruct the flow of urine.

Damage to Kidneys and the condition of acute urinary retention are grave and serious conditions.

BPH (ENLARGED PROSTATE) DIAGNOSIS

Apart from history and clinical examination few investigations are carried out
like Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA test, blood test, and urine test, advanced tests including ultrasound, biopsy (for ruling out the presence of cancer), and urodynamics test (for evaluating the functioning of the bladder).

Your doctor may also ask about medications you’re taking that might be affecting your urinary system, such as:

• antidepressants
• diuretics
• antihistamines
• sedatives

BPH (ENLARGED PROSTATE) TREATMENT

The severity of symptoms of BPH, shape, and size of the prostate / other organs, the age of the patient, overall health and other aspects are carefully evaluated to decide the best course of treatment. Some patients have very mild symptoms so that they do not bother much and these patients may wait a while and see how it actually goes.

Lifestyle Changes

For very mild symptoms, lifestyle changes may be adequate in some cases. They should also drink and consume less alcohol and caffeine and should avoid fluids at the time they go to sleep.

Medications

Medicines can be used for treating the moderate to mild prostate enlargement condition. medications relax the prostate and the urethra so that urination is more comfortable.

Surgical Procedure and Techniques

When medications and lifestyle changes do not work, surgery is the only resort available to the physician. The new minimally invasive surgical procedures ensure that no cuts are made to the body, and these can be carried out through probes and scopes.

Laser Prostatectomy – A scope is inserted via the penis tip into the urethra. As the urethra is surrounded by the prostate gland, the heat/energy (passed through the scope subsequently) cuts the excessive tissues of the prostate or melts them.

TUIP (Transurethral Incision of Prostate) – The method involves making some small incision on the prostate so that the pressure on urethra can be released.

TURP (Transurethral resection of prostate) – Through endoscope cautery cutting of Obstructing adenomatous part of prostate is removed, it can be done with monopolar/bipolar saline cut.

A Robotic Surgery or an Open Surgery may also be performed if all these measures are incapable of treating the enlarged prostate condition.

Open Surgery – Open surgery for enlarged prostate (or open prostatectomy) is usually carried out if the prostate is excessively large, or when TURP cannot be done because of some reason. It may also be carried out if bladder stones are there, or the bladder wall has pouches (bladder diverticula).

Surgery for treating BPH may also have certain complications and side effects. Erectile dysfunction, incontinence, stricture/ narrowing of the urinary tube, and bleeding may be some of the side effects of a surgery. While some of the conditions may heal themselves naturally, others may require medical intervention.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Treatment in Ahmedabad – Dr. Sharad Dodiya

Dr. Sharad Dodiya (Fusion Kidney Institute) is the best Urologist and Kidney Specialist in Ahmedabad. Dr. Sharad and his team have extensive experience in treating enlarged prostate.

Call us or drop a message to book your appointments. [Contact Us Here]