The prostate is a small gland surrounding the urethra just below the bladder. It is an important part of the male reproductive system as it makes seminal fluid. As men get older, their prostates enlarge on their own. It is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate. This condition can be uncomfortable and cause annoying urinary symptoms that can have a big impact on life. It is thus important to get specialized enlarged prostate treatment.
Understanding the Condition, BPH
BPH is a condition in which the prostate gland gets bigger but is usually not cancerous. When the prostate gets bigger, it puts pressure on the urethra, which is the tube through which urine from the bladder leaves the body. This compression can cause many urinary symptoms, such as trouble starting or keeping a urine stream going, the need to go to the bathroom often, especially at night (nocturia), and the feeling that the bladder is not completely empty. Each case of BPH is different because the severity and types of symptoms can vary a lot from person to person.
The first line of defence is non-surgical treatment options
Most of the time, non-surgical methods are the first step in treating an enlarged prostate. Medications are a key part of taking care of BPH. Different types of drugs can be used to treat BPH, and each one works differently. Alpha-blockers, like tamsulosin and alfuzosin, work by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and the neck of the bladder. This makes it easier for urine to flow. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, like finasteride and dutasteride, help shrink the prostate gland by stopping the production of a hormone that makes the prostate grow.
In addition to taking medicine, people with BPH are often told to change the way they live. Some of these changes include not drinking fluids a few hours before bed to cut down on urinating at night, cutting back on diuretics like caffeine and alcohol, exercising regularly, and keeping a healthy weight. There are also ways to train the bladder that can be helpful. These might include going to the bathroom at set times or practising “double voiding,” which is when you go to the bathroom, wait a few minutes, and then try again.
Use of minimally invasive treatments
When medicines and changes to your lifestyle don’t help much, you might want to look into minimally invasive procedures. The goal of these treatments is to shrink the prostate and make it easier for urine to flow, thereby alleviating the symptoms of BPH.
Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA) uses low-level radiofrequency energy to get rid of parts of the prostate. Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) uses heat from microwave energy to destroy extra prostate tissue. Another option is prostate artery embolization (PAE), a procedure in which small particles are injected into the arteries that supply the prostate. It stops the blood flow and causes the prostate to shrink.
Surgery is usually the last option and is considered when other treatments have failed or when the patient has severe symptoms or other problems. Some of these problems are acute urinary retention, repeated infections of the urinary tract, bladder stones, and damage to the kidneys.
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), in which a resectoscope is put through the penis to remove extra prostate tissue, is the most common surgery for BPH. Other types of surgery include prostatectomy, which is a more invasive procedure that involves removing part or all of the prostate, and laser surgery, which uses laser energy to destroy or cut away prostate tissue.
Lifestyle management is an important part of treating BPH.
A healthy lifestyle is vital for taking care of an enlarged prostate, along with medical and surgical treatments. BPH can be better managed by regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, staying at a healthy weight, and avoiding things that make urinary symptoms worse.
Also, regular medical checkups are important to see how BPH is getting worse and how well the current treatment plan is working. Men can talk to their doctor in detail about their symptoms, worries, and treatment options during these checkups. This lets them take an active role in taking care of their condition.
Treatment for an enlarged prostate has changed over time and can be tailored to each person.
As our knowledge of BPH has grown, so have the ways to treat an enlarged prostate. Today, reputed hospitals offer comprehensive care for BPH, ensuring that each patient gets a personalized treatment plan that fits their needs and way of life.
Men with an enlarged prostate can consider various treatments, from medicine and changes to their lifestyle to minimally invasive procedures and surgery. Men with BPH can have a much better quality of life if they talk to their doctors regularly, get medical help when they need it, and take an active role in managing their lifestyle.
But it’s very important to remember that every man’s BPH is different. So, what works for one person may not work for someone else. So, the best way to find the best treatment for an enlarged prostate is to be patient, keep trying, and talk openly with doctors. The ultimate goal is to control the symptoms well and keep a high quality of life so that men can enjoy their later years without worrying about urinary symptoms all the time.
