Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
By: Reckless AlterTotal Views: 47, Word Count: 726,
What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
Benign Prostatic hyperplasia (BHP) refers to the enlarged prostate seen mostly in middle aged men and elderly men.
This enlargement of prostrate is characterized by formation of large, fairly discrete nodules in the periurethral area of the prostate. When the nodules become large, they compress the urethral canal to cause partial or complete blockage of the urethra. This all interferes the normal flow of urine and leads to symptoms of urinary hesitancy, frequent urination, dysiria and increased risk of urinary tract infection. Prostate specific antigens are elevated because of the increase in the organ volume. Inflammation due to urinary tract and BHP is not considered to be a premalignant lesion or prostate cancer.
Benign Prostatic hyperplasia Symptoms
- Symptoms are classified as storage and voiding. This disease is progressive and results in stasis of bacteria in the bladder and increased risk of urinary tract infection. Residual urine may cause urinary bladder stones from crystallization of salts. There may be urine retention and become acute or chronic at later stages and result in renal failure later.
- Voiding symptoms include weak urinary stream
- Hesitancy, i.e. need to wait for the urination to begin
- Stream of urine is not continuous but stops intermittently
- Straining to void
- Dribbling
Benign Prostatic hyperplasia Causes
- Dihydrotosterone (DHT) may cause nodular hyperplasia
- Estrogens play a significant role in the etiology of BPH
- Depends on lifestyle
Diagnosis of Benign Prostatic hyperplasia
- Rectal examination reveals the enlarged prostrate
- Blood tests are performed to rule out prostatic cancer
- Transrectal ultrasonography of testicles, prostate and kidneys
Signs of Benign Prostatic hyperplasia
- Weak urine stream
- Prolonged emptying of the bladder
- Straining of the abdomen
- Hesitancy
- Irregular and frequent need to urinate
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder
- Post urine dribble
- Irritation during urination
- Need to urinate during night or nocturia
- Involuntary leakage of urine
- Pain in bladder
Benign Prostatic hyperplasia treatment
- Decrease fluid intake before going to bed
- Cut down consumption of alcohol and caffeine containing products
- Follow timed voiding schedules
- Alpha blockers and 5alpha-reductase inhibitors are commonly used
- Medicines that inhibit production of DHT, hormone responsible for enlarging the prostate
- Herbal medicines like African star grass, pumpkin seeds, and rye grass pollens are used for symptomatic relief
- Transurethral microwave thermotherapy and transurethral needle ablation is used. This causes necrosis of the cells and dead tissues are reabsorbed by the body and the prostrate shrinks relieving the obstructed urethra
- Surgery transurethral resection of prostrate involves removal of he prostrate through the urethra
Benign Prostatic hyperplasia is not prostate cancer but enlargement of prostate. This article on Benign Prostatic hyperplasia will inform you about what is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Benign Prostatic hyperplasia Symptoms, Benign Prostatic hyperplasia Causes and Benign Prostatic hyperplasia treatment.
About the Author
Dr. Reckless Alter is graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine as a physician in 1969 and went on to earn his medical degree in 1973. For over 25 years he has been a pioneer in the field of surgery, with a special focus on wellness medicine and hormones for men. Dr. Reckless is currently a board-certified Family Practitioner and a precautionary Medicine specialist. He has helped heal many problems of men through his treatment.
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