Information for the General Public
Enlarged Prostate Gland
As
men
grow
old
the
size
of
the
prostate
gland
increases
causing
all
kinds
of
problem.
Increasing
size
of
the
prostate
is
called
Benign
Prostatic
Hyperplasia
often
termed
“BPH”.
It
is
a
progressive
condition
which
affects
all
males
over
the
age
of
50.
Depending
on
its
size
the
symptoms
can
vary
from
passing
urine
frequently
to
causing complete obstruction to flow of urine.
The
prostate
gland
lies
just
below
the
bladder
surrounding
the
tube
(urethra)
that
transports
urine
out
through
the
penis.
The
gland
found
in
males
is
relatively
small
in
boys.
It
starts
to
grow
after
puberty
and
in
normal
adults
is
the
size
of
a
walnut.
The
gland
produces
a
fluid
that
mixes
with
the
sperm
that
is
discharged
during
intercourse.
In
women
two
rudimentary
structures
called
Skene’s
(or
paraurethral)
glands
represent
the
prostate.
Unlike
in
males
they
rarely
cause
a
problem.
Occasionally they can cause discomfort from inflammation.
Symptoms of BPH
•
Difficulty in starting to pass urine
•
Straining to pass urine
•
Taking a longer time to pass urine
•
Urgency to pass urine and difficulty to control
•
Passing only small amounts of urine
•
Frequently passing urine
•
Getting up in the night to pass urine
If
you
have
any
of
these
symptoms
you
should
see
a
doctor
(Urologist).
He
will
not
only
check
you
out
for
an
enlarged
prostate but also rule out cancer prostate or infection causing the symptoms.
Diagnosing BPH
The
Urologist
will
normally
use
a
scoring
system
from
the
symptoms
(international
Prostate
Symptom
Score)
to
decide
on
the type of treatment that you will need. He will also do a rectal examination to check the size of the prostate.
Others Tests may include:
•
Urine examination to check for infection that can cause the symptoms
•
Blood
tests
to
check
for
kidney
function
and
Prostate
Specific
Antigen
(Increased
PSA
level
may
suggest
cancer
prostate)
•
Ultrasound
of
the
bladder
and
Prostate
-
first
with
a
full
bladder
and
then
after
emptying
the
bladder.
If
the
bladder
does not empty properly it may mean that the prostate is causing some obstruction.
•
Trans-rectal Ultrasound to measure the size of the prostate accurately.
Treatment of BPH
The
treatment
will
depend
on
the
severity
of
symptoms.
Minor
to
moderate
symptoms
can
be
managed
by
medication
and
life style changes. If symptoms are more pronounced some form of surgical intervention will be required.
Lifestyle changes:
•
Regular exercise like walking tends to improve symptoms
•
If you are woken up at night regularly to pass urine, avoid drinking liquids before going to bed
•
Stop or reduce drinking Coffee and Alcohol. They tend to irritate the bladder.