Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is the most common condition found in aging men. It is mainly characterized by nonmalignant proliferation of the epithelial and stromal cells of the prostate gland. In simple words, the prostate gland of older men enlarges, however it is non-cancerous in nature. It is seen that the natural programmed death of cells, i.e. apoptosis, does not take place and results in enlarged size of the prostate gland. Eventually, the prostate swells and squeezes the urethra, which disrupts the flow of urine.
What are symptoms of BPH?
Some of the signs and symptoms of BPH are
- Urinary urgency
- Urinary frequency
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Dribbling at the end of urinating
- Inability to urinate
- Incomplete emptying of your bladder
Diagnosis
You may notice at the first point that your prostate has enlarged. You must contact an urologist to ensure that you are suffering from BPH. There are different tests performed to identify the problem and check if surgery is needed or not. Some of the tests are
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test
PSA is a protein which is produced by prostate cells and its levels are elevated in the blood of men, who suffers from prostate cancer. This test is performed to rule out the possibilities that main cause of urinary symptoms is prostate cancer.
Digital Rectal Examination
In this test, the doctor inserts gloved finger inside the rectum of the patient to feel the prostate located next to the rectum. This test gives a general idea to the doctor about the size and condition of the gland.
Urine Flow Study
The physician asks the patient to urinate into a special device which determines the flow of the urine. Decrease in the flow rate of urine suggests BPH.
Treatment
It is seen that sometimes urinary infections are associated with BPH. So, your physician will recommend an antibiotic course to clear out urinary infection before starting any treatment for BPH. Most of the physicians recommend surgical removal of the enlarged portion of the prostate, which is pressing against the urethra. Usually, surgery relieves inconvenience experienced in the passage of urine. Apart from surgery, the drugs like Cialis are recommended for controlling the symptoms of BPH.