Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is a common condition where the prostate gland becomes enlarged, which can cause pressure on the urethra and lead to various urinary problems.

While BPH is not cancerous and does not increase the risk of prostate cancer, it can still affect your quality of life by causing bothersome symptoms.

Causes of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Advanced age and hormonal changes:

As men age, the levels of the hormones like testosterone changes, which may contribute to prostate enlargement.

Genetics:

If your father or other close male relatives have had BPH, you may be more likely to develop the condition yourself.

Other health conditions:

Conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease can increase the likelihood of developing BPH.

Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Frequent urination: You may feel the urge to urinate more often, especially during the night (a condition called nocturia).
Weak urine stream: The flow of urine may become slow or weak, and it might take longer to empty your bladder.
Difficulty starting urination: You may feel as though you have to strain or wait a long time before you can begin urinating.
Dribbling after urination: Some men experience a small amount of urine leakage after they have finished urinating.
Inability to completely empty the bladder: The feeling of still needing to urinate even after you’ve finished can be a common symptom.
Urgency and discomfort: A sudden, strong urge to urinate, often with discomfort or a sensation of pressure in the bladder.

Diagnosing BPH

Physical exam: Your doctor may conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE) to feel the size and shape of the prostate.
Urine tests: To check for signs of infection or other issues that could affect urination.
Blood tests: To evaluate kidney function and exclude other illnesses.
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test
Ultrasound: An ultrasound may be used to visualize the prostate and check for abnormalities.
UroflowmetryUrine flow and speed are measured during the test to assess how well your bladder is emptying.

Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Lifestyle changes: For mild symptoms, your doctor may recommend making changes to your diet and daily routine, such as drinking less fluid before bedtime or avoiding caffeine and alcohol.
Medications: Alpha blockers,5-alpha-reductase inhibitors ,Combination therapy are used .
Minimally invasive treatments: If medications aren’t effective then options of following methods are offered
- Transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT): Uses microwave energy to shrink the prostate tissue.
- Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA): A procedure that uses radio waves to destroy excess prostate tissue.
Surgical treatments:
- Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): A procedure where the doctor removes parts of the prostate to relieve pressure on the urethra.
- Laser therapy: Uses high-energy lasers to vaporize or remove excess prostate tissue.

Prevention and Lifestyle Tips

Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, but reduce your fluid intake in the evening to avoid frequent trips to the bathroom at night.
Exercise regularly: Maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical activity can help reduce your risk of BPH and improve your overall health.
Avoid bladder irritants: Limit alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods, which can irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms.
Manage stress: Stress can make urinary symptoms worse, so finding ways to relax and manage stress is important for your overall health.