Friday 11 February 2011

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH

Part of the reproductive system in males contains a small gland called the prostrate gland that is located just beneath the bladder and the front of the rectum. "Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia" or "BPH" is the enlargement of the prostrate gland that is non-cancerous and commonly occurs with aging.
This enlargement typically does not cause problems or symptoms until later on in life when it becomes large enough to put pressure on the urethra and cause the wall of the bladder to thicken and become irritable. It is estimated that over fifty percent of men in their sixties and over ninety percent of men in their seventies or eighties will experience some symptoms of an enlarged prostrate gland.
Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Enlargement of the prostrate gland can cause many problems with the urinary system resulting in uncomfortable symptoms, however, the greater the enlargement has no bearing on the symptoms as some men who have a greater enlargement may experience less problematic symptoms than men who have a smaller enlargement.
These most common symptoms of BPH include an increase in the frequency of urination, an increase in urgency, leaking or dribbling, nocturia which is having to urinate many times throughout the night, and difficulty when beginning to urinate such as trouble starting (hesitancy), a weak stream, or interrupted stream. BPH can also lead to urinary tract infections.
Treatment of BPH
BPH may not require any form of treatment and may just be monitored for any for any changes or early signs of any problems. In the event that BPH has caused a urinary tract infection, the infection will be treated first with antibiotic medications and then the BPH may be treated.
There are several forms of treatment that can be used for benign prostatic hyperplasia that include medications, minimally invasive therapies, and surgery. The two types of medications currently used to treat BPH are "alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers" and "5-alpha reductase inhibitors". These medications can prevent the prostrate gland from growing larger and may shrink the prostrate gland in some patients.
Several types of therapy that are less invasive procedures than surgical procedures also used for the treatment of an enlarged prostrate and include "transurethral microwave procedures", "transurethral needle ablation", "water-induced thermotherapy", and "high-intensity focused ultrasound".
Surgery is often recommended for the removal of the enlarged portion of the prostrate gland as a long term resolution. Thee surgical procedures include "transurethral surgery", "laser surgery", "photoselective vaporization of the prostate" or "PVP", "interstitial laser coagulation", and open surgery.
BPH can be effectively treated when detected early; however, this condition can lead to serious complications if it is left untreated. If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms related to BPH or a urinary problem, it is essential that you discuss these with your primary care physician in order to obtain a proper diagnosis. While eighty percent of the time these symptoms are indicative of BPH, they can also be a sign of a more serious condition that may require immediate medical treatment.

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