Enlarged Prostate

Enlarged prostate is a disease seen in males as they grow older. It is the non-cancerous growth of the prostate. This condition is also known as Benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The enlarged prostate develops in nearly all men after reaching their 40s and affects the urinary system.

Associated Anatomy

Prostate gland

Alternate Name

• Benign prostate hypertrophy
• Prostatic hyperplasia

Signs Or Symptom of Enlarged Prostate

Enlarge prostate affects the urinary system and causes symptoms such as:

• Urine flow is weaker, and emptying the bladder takes longer
• The person may have to wait a bit at the toilet before urine begins to flow
• The flow becomes sluggish and dribbles near the finish of passing pee
• One can experience the sensation that the bladder isn't emptied
• The person may pee more frequently than usual. This is especially aggravating if it occurs at night. The symptom of nocturia is waking up multiple times during the night to pass pee
• The patient has to hurry to the bathroom and cannot hold it long.

Causes of Enlarged Prostate

Most men's prostates continue to grow throughout their lives. Many men's prostates swell to the point where they produce urinary symptoms or considerably obstruct urine flow due to continuing growth.

What causes prostate growth isn't completely understood. There is, however, the possibility that it is due to hormonal changes as men grow older. There is, however, the possibility that it is due to hormonal changes as men grow older.

Stages of Enlarged Prostate

Enlarged prostate or BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia ) has four stages.

They are:

• Stage I does not have a significant obstruction and very mild symptoms
• Stage II does not have significant obstruction but symptoms that bother the routine of the person
• Stage III has significant obstruction and severe symptoms that bother the routine of the person
• Stage IV presents with significant obstruction and also has developed complications of prostate enlargement.

Enlarged Prostate Treatment

Lifestyle Modifications

These might be used as part of a natural therapy plan to help relieve BPH symptoms. This involves going to the restroom to urinate even if you don't have the urge. Avoid over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamine medications. Avoid alcohol consumption and caffeine, especially after dinner.

Learning and practising Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles is also part of the programme.

Medications

The doctor prescribes medication if lifestyle modifications aren't enough to relieve your symptoms.

Several drugs can assist with both the symptoms and the actual prostate enlargement.

The following drugs are among them:

• Alpha-1 blockers
• Hormone reduction medications
• Antibiotics

Surgery for Prostate Enlargement

When medicine isn't working, there are a variety of surgical techniques that can assist with enlarged prostate treatment. Some operations are noninvasive or minimally invasive, and they can usually be performed in the doctor's office or clinic (outpatient procedures).

Risk Factor Associated With Enlarged Prostate

• Age

By the age of 60, around a third of men have moderate to severe symptoms, and by the age of 80, about half of the men suffer from an enlarged prostate.

• Family History

Those men are likely to develop problems if they have a family member with prostate problems, such as a father or brother.

• Diabetes and Heart Disease

These are two diseases that are linked. Diabetes, heart disease, and the use of beta-blockers are linked to an increased risk of BPH.

• Overweight

Obesity raises the risk of prostate hypertrophy, although exercise lowers it.

Possible Complication of Enlarged Prostate

Damage to the bladder. Over time, a bladder that hasn't been entirely emptied can stretch and weaken. As a result, the bladder's muscular wall no longer contracts adequately.

Thus urinary incontinence develops due to an enlarged prostate.

The inability to empty the bladder is the most common cause of infection, bladder inflammation, blood in the urine, and restriction of urine flow. Another complication of BPH is bladder stones.

You're more likely to get urinary tract infections if your bladder doesn't empty. Other serious issues, such as bladder stones, blood in the urine, incontinence, and acute urinary retention, might develop over time (an inability to urinate).

Diagnostic Typical Test

Benign prostatic enlargement is usually diagnosed based on the above-mentioned symptoms. Tests are not required to confirm the diagnosis but are required to ensure that no problems have arisen. Typically the prostate may be examined by a doctor to determine its size via the anus into the rectum.

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test is a diagnostic test to rule out the enlarged prostate. High PSA levels indicate enlargement of the prostate.

Prevention Tips For Enlarged Prostate

Primary Prevention

• Avoiding delay in urination

Delaying urination can increase the symptoms of BPH and lead to other issues such as urinary tract infections.

• Weight loss

Reducing excess body weight and regular physical exercise help in preventing prostate enlargement.

• Healthy diet

A diet rich in vegetables, and good hydration keep kidneys healthy, thereby minimizing the risk of clinical BPH.

• Alcohol consumption

Avoiding alcohol consumption plays a significant role in reducing the risk of prostate enlargement.

Secondary Prevention

• Avoid drinking a lot at once

Fluids should be consumed throughout the day. Drinking fluids within two hours of bedtime is not recommended.

• Avoid certain medications

Avoid taking decongestants or antihistamines in over-the-counter cold and sinus treatments. These drugs can exacerbate prostate enlargement symptoms.

• Keep yourself warm

Get some exercise regularly. Symptoms may be exacerbated by cold temperatures and a lack of physical activity.

• Kegels exercise

Kegel exercises should be learned and practiced (pelvic strengthening exercises).

• Reduce stress

Nervousness and tension can cause frequent urination.

Differential Diagnosis For Enlarged Prostate

Various conditions can generate symptoms similar to those caused by an enlarged prostate. It includes infection of the urinary tract, prostate inflammation, urethral stricture, and scarring in the bladder neck.

Stones in the bladder or kidneys, neurological problems of the bladder, and Prostate or bladder cancer to have mimicking symptoms similar to prostate enlargement.

Epidemiology

Age

Men below 40 years are rarely affected by prostate enlargement. By the age of 80 years, 50% of men have prostate enlargement.

Race

When compared to white males, black and Hispanic men have a 41 percent higher risk of developing BPH. Caucasian men had a larger prostate volume than Asian men, associated with increasing age.

Prognosis

Expected Prognosis

There's probably no need for therapy if the enlarged prostate symptoms are mild and unobtrusive.

The prognosis for prostatic hyperplasia is positive. While it can cause severe discomfort, it is a benign disorder. Symptoms may worsen as the prostate gland expands in size, necessitating medication or surgery.

Natural Progression

As the prostate gland grows larger, symptoms may intensify, prompting medication or surgery.

Although it is not cancer and not a threat to health, but, if left untreated, an enlarged prostate can cause a sudden inability to urinate, urinary tract infections, and bladder or kidney damage.

Pathophysiology

Prostate enlargement is a hyperplastic process that causes glandular-epithelial and stromal/muscle tissue to grow in the prostate.

The stromal and epithelial components of the prostate that arise in the periurethral and transition zones of the gland are involved in enlarged prostate. Hyperplasia is thought to cause prostate enlargement, which could impede urine flow from the bladder.