[ad_1]
Britain’s King Charles has recently been diagnosed with cancer while undergoing treatment for an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. While the type and stage of the malignancy is still secret, the monarch’s health condition has sparked curiosity in prostate issues among the general public, as evidenced by the increase in searches surrounding the announcement of the same post by Buckingham Palace. (Also read: King Charles’ diagnosis sheds light on common cancers in men; all you need to know)
Enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common problem in men after the age of 50 and is a non-cancerous condition. The prostate is part of the reproductive system in men. Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and inability to empty the bladder completely.
What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?
It involves an enlargement of the prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized gland located below the bladder, surrounding the urethra. This enlargement occurs as a result of an increase in the number of cells within the prostate gland, causing it to expand.
“Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in older men, characterized by noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate, a walnut-sized gland surrounding the urethra, plays a role in male reproductive function by producing seminal fluid. As men age, hormonal changes can lead to excessive growth of prostate cells, causing the gland to enlarge,” says Dr Ashutosh Baghel, consultant urologist and renal transplant surgeon, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road. Are.
“The prostate gland typically begins to enlarge in middle-aged men and continues to grow with age. As it grows, it can squeeze the urethra and obstruct the flow of urine, causing various Urinary problems may occur,” says lead Dr Manav Suryavanshi. Department of Urology, Clinical Lead – Uro-Oncology and Robotic Surgery, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.
Symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent need to urinate, weak urine flow, difficulty starting or stopping urination, and a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder can have a significant impact on quality of life.
symptoms of enlarged prostate
Dr. Suryavanshi explained in detail the common signs and symptoms of an enlarged prostate, which may include frequent urination, nighttime urination, and difficulty initiating urine flow.
frequent urination: Men with BPH often feel the need to urinate more often.
Urgency: There may be a sudden and urgent need to urinate, sometimes making it difficult to control urination.
nocturnal: The frequency of urination at night increases to disturb the quality of life or sleep.
poor urine stream: The flow of urine may become weak or obstructed.
Intermittent: The urine stream starts and stops and loses its smooth flow.
Tension: Some men may have trouble starting urine flow.
feeling of incomplete withdrawal: Men may feel as if their bladder has not completely emptied after urinating and they may feel the urge to urinate within 1 to 2 hours.
urinary retention: In severe cases, BPH can cause urinary retention, where the bladder does not empty completely.
Make Lifestyle Changes to Manage Enlarged Prostate
“Lifestyle changes such as limiting caffeine and alcohol intake, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy diet can help reduce symptoms. In more severe cases or if medications do not respond to symptoms, transurethral resection of the prostate may be recommended. Surgical procedures such as (TURP) or laser may be performed. Therapy may be recommended to reduce the size of the prostate. Regular monitoring and adjustments in the management plan may be necessary to ensure optimal results. Accurate diagnosis and It is important to seek medical advice for proper management,” says Dr. Baghel says.
Dr. Vimal Patel, Consultant, Urology- Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, says lifestyle changes such as limiting water intake before bedtime and surgical interventions can help. He shares other ways to manage the symptoms of enlarged prostate.
1. Watchful Waiting: For individuals with mild symptoms, a strategy of watchful waiting or active surveillance may be recommended. This involves regular monitoring of symptoms without immediate intervention.
2. Lifestyle Changes: Some lifestyle changes may help reduce BPH symptoms. These include limiting fluid intake before bed, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and practicing double voiding (urinating twice in a short period of time).
3. Medicines: There are several medications available to manage BPH symptoms. Alpha-blockers relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder neck, which improves urine flow. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can reduce the size of the prostate gland over time by blocking the production of hormones that cause prostate enlargement.
4. Minimally Invasive Treatment: In cases where medications are ineffective or not well tolerated, minimally invasive procedures such as transurethral microwave therapy (TUMT), transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), and laser therapy can be used to reduce prostate size and relieve symptoms. can be considered.
5. Surgical Intervention: In severe cases or when other treatments fail, surgical options such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or laser surgery may be recommended to remove or reduce the prostate tissue causing the obstruction.
[ad_2]
