What is Enlarged Prostate/ Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
Enlarged Prostate/ Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia happens when the prostate gland of a person gets enlarged. The location of the prostate gland is directly beneath the bladder and the urethra passes through the prostate. When the prostate gland gets enlarged, it will pinch the urethra and block the easy flow of urine or semen through the urethra. The prostate gland goes through two stages of growth in the lifetime of a man. The first stage of growth occurs when a person goes through puberty. During puberty, the prostate gland doubles in size. The second stage begins when the person is in their mid-twenties. This growth will be carried out throughout their lifetime. As the prostate gets enlarged, it will cause the walls of the bladder to become thicker. Eventually, the bladder might not be able to empty completely, this will cause urinary complications in the person. The major function of the prostate gland is to produce the fluid in which the sperms swim. The testicles produce sperm as well as testosterone. Testosterone encourages the growth of the prostate and regulates its function. An enlarged prostate is a condition that can be commonly seen in most men. By the time they reach their sixties, almost half of all men have an enlarged prostate from which half of them display symptoms that need treatment.
Enlarged Prostate/ Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Watchful waiting will suffice for people who only have minor cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia. They will not have symptoms that require treatment. They need observation to make sure that their condition is not getting worse. Medication can be given to men who have larger prostates, these medications will affect the growth of the prostate gland. The drugs that are able to relax the muscles of the prostate are commonly prescribed. Medications are given to improve the flow of urine as well. Surgery is an alternative to treat an enlarged prostate as well. There are different types of surgeries available, such as; transurethral incision of the prostate, in which the surgeon makes two incisions in the neck of the bladder and the prostate so that the urethra can widen and the urine can flow more freely is one option. Transurethral resection of the prostate is another surgical procedure that is done to treat an enlarged prostate. The tissue blocking the urethra is removed with the help of a special instrument. Transurethral electrovaporization is a process where the prostate tissue is heated and turned into steam by using electrical energy applied through electrodes. This method allows the medical professional to vaporize the tissue that has been blocking the urethra. There are also minimally invasive methods that are available to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Procedures such as prostatic urethral lift in which the enlarged lobes of the prostate are separated so that the urethra can be made to be wider. Water vapor therapy is also one of the minimally invasive therapy to treat an enlarged prostate.
- PROCEDURE NAME : Prostatic urethral lift
- SURGERY TYPE: Minimally Invasive LASER
- HOSPITALIZATION: HOSPITALIZATION
- SURGERY DURATION: 30 minutes
- ANAESTHESIA: Spinal Block / General Anaesthesia
- FULL RECOVERY: 3 - 4 days
TREATMENTS
Diagnosis
The patient will be made to go through a full physical examination. The medical professional will inquire about the medical history of the patient. They will also perform a rectal exam by inserting a well-lubricated, gloved hand into the rectum of the patient to determine the size of the prostate and to feel for any hard areas that might be cancer. A cystoscopy might be conducted to check the condition of the bladder. The symptoms of the person will be evaluated and their urine stream will be studied to see if there is any variation.
Surgery
Watchful waiting will suffice for people who only have minor cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia. They will not have symptoms that require treatment. They need observation to make sure that their condition is not getting worse. Medication can be given to men who have larger prostates, these medications will affect the growth of the prostate gland. The drugs that are able to relax the muscles of the prostate are commonly prescribed. Medications are given to improve the flow of urine as well. Surgery is an alternative to treat an enlarged prostate as well. There are different types of surgeries available, such as; transurethral incision of the prostate, in which the surgeon makes two incisions in the neck of the bladder and the prostate so that the urethra can widen and the urine can flow more freely is one option. Transurethral resection of the prostate is another surgical procedure that is done to treat an enlarged prostate. The tissue blocking the urethra is removed with the help of a special instrument. Transurethral electrovaporization is a process where the prostate tissue is heated and turned into steam by using electrical energy applied through electrodes. This method allows the medical professional to vaporize the tissue that has been blocking the urethra. There are also minimally invasive methods that are available to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Procedures such as prostatic urethral lift in which the enlarged lobes of the prostate are separated so that the urethra can be made to be wider. Water vapor therapy is also one of the minimally invasive therapy to treat an enlarged prostate.
Causes
- Child Birth
- Mental Trauma
- Anxiety Disorder
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I avoid with benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Medicines that might cause urine retention or worsen the symptoms of an enlarged prostate should be avoided.
What is the purpose of a prostate?
The prostate gland’s primary role is to produce the fluid in which the sperms float. Sperm and testosterone are both produced in the testicles. The hormone testosterone promotes prostate growth and governs its function.
How does a prostate get enlarged?
In a man’s lifetime, the prostate gland goes through two stages of development. When a person reaches puberty, the first stage of growth begins. The prostate gland doubles in size throughout puberty. When a person is in their mid-twenties, the second stage begins. This development will continue throughout their lives.
Does an enlarged prostate hurt?
An enlarged prostate might cause pain after urinating or ejaculating.
What happens if benign prostatic hyperplasia is left untreated?
If benign prostatic hyperplasia is left untreated, it might cause severe problems to the bladder and kidney.
