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Introduction
In
old age above 60 nearly 80% men experience some sort of problem with urinating due to prostate enlargement. Prostate enlargement is not a malignant condition, but it does put pressure
on the urethra and can create a number of urinary problems such as frequent urination, urinary urgency, the need to get up at night to urinate, difficulty starting, a reduction to the force of the urine stream, terminal dribbling, incomplete emptying of the bladder and even the inability to urinate at all. |
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What is Prostate Gland
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. The gland is made of two lobes, or regions, enclosed by an outer layer of tissue. As the diagrams
show below, the prostate is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder, where urine is stored. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the canal through which urine passes out of the
body. One of its main roles, though, is to squeeze fluid into the urethra as sperm move through during sexual climax. This fluid, which helps make up semen, energizes the sperm and makes the vaginal canal less acidic.
The position of the prostate gland and surrounding structures |
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What is prostate enlargement or BPH?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (also called BPH) is a condition that affects the
prostate gland in men generally in old age. The prostate is a gland found between the bladder (where
urine is stored) and the urethra (the tube urine passes through). As men age,
the prostate gland slowly grows bigger (or enlarges). As the prostate gets
bigger, it may press on the urethra and cause the flow of urine to be slower and less forceful.
Symptoms of Prostate Enlargement
Many symptoms of BPH stem from obstruction of the urethra and
gradual loss of bladder function, which results in incomplete
emptying of the bladder. The symptoms of BPH vary, but the most
common ones involve changes or problems with urination, such as
A frequent and urgent need to urinate.
You may get up several times a night to go to the bathroom.
Frequent urination especially at night.
Trouble starting a urine stream.
Even though you feel you have to rush to get to the bathroom, you
find it hard to start urinating.
A weak stream of urine
A small amount of urine each time you go
The feeling that you still have to go, even when you have just
finished urinating Leaking or dribbling urine
Small amounts of blood in your urine
Causes of Prostate Enlargement
It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man ages.
As the prostate enlarges, the layer of tissue surrounding it stops it from expanding, causing the gland to press against the urethra like a clamp. The bladder wall becomes thicker and irritable. The bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more
frequent urination. Eventually, the bladder weakens and loses the ability to empty itself, so some of the urine remains in the bladder. The narrowing of the urethra and partial emptying of the bladder cause many of the problems associated with
BPH.
According to one theory as men age, the amount of active testosterone
(male harmone) in the blood decreases, leaving a higher proportion of estrogen.
The BPH may occur due to the higher amount of
estrogen within the gland that increases the activity of substances that promote cell growth.
Another theory focuses on dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a substance derived from testosterone in the prostate, which may help control its growth. |
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The normal prostate gland is located in front
of the rectum and just below the bladder,
where urine is stored. |
As the prostate
enlarges it presses against
the urethra like a clamp. |
Is BPH a serious disease?
BPH is not a serious condition, unless the symptoms are so bothersome that you can’t enjoy life. But BPH can lead to serious problems. One problem is urinary tract infections.If you can’t urinate at all, you should get medical help right away. Sometimes this happens suddenly to men after they take an over-the-counter cold or allergy medicine.In rare cases, BPH and its constant urination problems can lead to kidney damage. |
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Diagnosing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
When BPH is suspected, you
are referred to a urologist, Several tests help the doctor identify the
problem and decide whether surgery is needed. The tests vary from patient to patient, but the following are the most common.
Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test
Urine Flow Study
Cystoscopy
Rectal Ultrasound and Prostate Biopsy (If Doctor suspects prostate cancer) |
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Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
The
treatment that are most commonly used for BPH. are
Drug Treatment
To treat BPH there are two main classes of prescription medicine
- alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. These medicines can be given on your doctors advice.
Alpha-blockers: Alpha-blockers, such as tamsulosin and terazosin, relax muscle fibres that
control the tension in your prostate gland and bladder. They can reduce the
pressure on your urethra and increase the flow of urine. They don't cure BPH but
may help to alleviate some of your symptoms and they don't work for everyone.
Some common side-effects of alpha-blockers include tiredness, dizziness, light-headedness, weakness and headaches.
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors: 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride (eg Proscar) and
dutasteride (eg Avodart), block production of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone
(DHT). This can reduce the size of the prostate by up to one-third. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are able to reverse BPH to some extent and can
delay your need for surgery.
Potential side-effects of these drugs include a reduced sex drive, difficulty in
maintaining an erection and tender or enlarged breast tissue. These medicines
pass into your semen can harm the developing baby. The best results tend to be seen after at least six months of treatment, and all
side-effects will disappear when you stop treatment.
Surgical Treatment
Generally, surgery is considered
for men who don't get relief from symptoms using medicines. There are a number of surgical options for BPH such as
Transurethral resection of the prostate: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the most common operation for BPH.
Transurethral incision of the prostate: Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) may be appropriate for men who
have a less enlarged prostate.
Open prostatectomy: Open prostatectomy is only recommended for men whose prostate is very large.
It's a major operation and may require up to a week in hospital.
Minimally invasive surgical treatment: Minimally invasive surgical treatment uses high energy to heat up and destroy
parts of your prostate.
Prostatic Stents: A stent is a small device that is inserted through the urethra to the narrowed area and allowed to expand, like a spring. The stent
pushes back the prostatic tissue, widening the urethra. It is designed to relieve urinary obstruction in men and improve the ability to urinate. The device is approved for use in men for whom other standard surgical procedures to correct urinary obstruction
have failed.
Your surgeon will advise which is the best option for you..
Alternative Treatment
Herbs: There is some evidence that certain plant extracts, such as beta-sitosterols and
Saw palmetto, can help relieve your symptoms. Saw palmetto Serenoa repens has been widely tested and results are promising. It
is thought to work by preventing testosterone from breaking down into another
form of the hormone associated with prostate tissue growth. In 1998, researchers
at the Department of Veterans Affairs reviewed more than a dozen studies
involving saw palmetto. It found saw palmetto to be as effective as finasteride
in reducing the size of an enlarged prostate and produce fewer side effects.
Ayurveda: In Ayurvedic cure Shilajit is
considered to be the best medicine for the treatment of benign enlargement
of prostate gland. Shilajit is used in a dose of 1/2 teaspoonful
at bedtime with milk.there are many preparation of shilajit. The
most commonly used one is Chandra prabha vati. It is available in a
tablet form and used in a dose of two tablets, three times a day
with milk with a physician advice. Sour and fried things are harmful for the patient. |
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Research
Zinc is both helpful with enlarged prostates and with inflamed prostates. Studies
have shown that zinc deficiency results in prostate enlargement. Infection and other stress results in lower blood serum zinc levels in general and in particular lower prostate levels. In prostatitis - infection of the prostate - zinc levels are only 1/10 of those in a normal prostate
Turmeric is strongly anti-inflammatory, and intensifies the anti-cancer activity of other phyto-nutrients. Ginger and turmeric both have been found to have cancer-preventing qualities. Turmeric is one of nature's most powerful antioxidants, has more DNA protective qualities than Vitamin E.
Research is also under way to evaluate new approaches to surgical treatment of BPH. The Minimally Invasive Surgical Therapies (MIST) treatment group is looking at TUMT, TUNA, and other transurethral
treatments for BPH that generally do not require a hospital stay. Studies are planned to assess the effectiveness of saw palmetto and other herbal remedies for this disorder. |
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Is BPH a sign of cancer
No. It’s true that some men with prostate cancer also have BPH, but that doesn’t mean that the two conditions are always linked. Most men with BPH don’t develop prostate cancer. However, because the early symptoms are the same for both conditions, you should see a doctor to evaluate these symptoms. |
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What are the side effects of prostate treatments?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. A common side-effect of these
procedures is retrograde ejaculation - where semen passes into your bladder
during orgasm instead of out of the penis. Retrograde ejaculation isn't usually
a problem, although it may reduce fertility. Other complications include urinary
incontinence and difficulty passing urine.
Lifestyle to improve prostate health
Diet: The right diet is very necessary to improve the health of the
prostate. For prostate health, a diet of warm, cooked, easily digestible, light yet nourishing foods are best.
Don't eat foods that are too dry and lack nourishment. Avoid cold and heavy foods such as fried foods, ice cream, and other rich desserts.
You can add small amounts of black pepper and ginger to your foods to help clear the channels and micro-channels of the body, which carry away waste and supply oxygen and nutrients to the cells.
Sleep: Go to bed at the same time every night, before ten o'clock, and rise before six o'clock in the morning.
Sound sleep is necessary to check any comlications.
Exercise: Be sure to exercise regularly, and be sure that the exercise you choose is suitable for your age and body type.
Tension free: Avoid too much mental pressure, such as a job that requires you to work long hours. Take time to enjoy life, and to maintain healthy relationships with your family and friends. Practice a technique to reduce stress
Specific recommendations for BPH
1.Kegel exercises are useful in improving blood circulation to these tissues. Kegel exercises are performed by tightening all the muscles around the scrotum and anus.
2.Drink lots of water throughout the day, in between meals. This will keep the urine from becoming too concentrated. If you add some herbs
such as leaves of Holy Basil, to the water, it will flush out toxins, dissolve ama in the blood tissue and help purify the urine.. Keep drinking this water throughout the day, but stop drinking it after 7:00 p.m.
3. Avoid drinking alcohol, because it creates imbalances in the blood tissue.
4. Each time you urinate, take the necessary time to empty your bladder
completely.
5, When the weather is cold, take care to keep your head, neck, and body warm.
Yoga can help reduce BPH risk
Yoga reduces stress, increases inner happiness and creates more balance in the mind, body, and emotions.
More information
The content is intended for general information only.
For information and personal advice consult a qualified health professional.
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