ABOUT THE DISEASE

BPH or Benign Prostate Hyperplasia is a disease common in elderly males. The prostate is a male reproductive gland that produces the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. This gland surrounds the urethra, which is the tube through which urine passes out of the body. Therefore when this gland grows it blocks the urethra and hence causes problems in urination.

SYMPTOMS

• Weak urine stream.
• Dribbling at the end of urination.
• Feeling like the bladder has not emptied completely.
• Difficulty starting urination.
• Getting up frequently at night to urinate.
• Urinating more frequently during the day.
• Strong or sudden urge to urinate.
• Incontinence.
• Blood in urine in case of an infection.

It is very common in elderly males and almost all males above 80 years and many men above the age of 40 have some level of an enlarged prostate.

DIAGNOSIS

Mostly diagnosed by a:
- Physical medical examination
- PSA - Prostate Specific Antigen test is required to rule out prostate cancer

TREATMENT METHODS

- In mild cases, no treatment is required.
- In moderate cases, medicines are prescribed to reduce the prostate gland swelling.
- In severe cases, surgery may be advised. The options being:

• TURP (Transurethral resection of prostate)
• HoLEP (Holmium Laser Enucleation of Prostate)

You may also like to learn about:

Prostate cancer
Prostatitis
Urinary tract infection
Urinary incontinence
Urinary retention
Erectile dysfunction