Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Normal and Enlarged Prostate

WHAT IS THE BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate enlargement, is a very common condition as men get older. An enlarged prostate gland or Bening Prostatic Hyperplasia can cause urinary symptoms, such as blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder. It can also cause bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems control.

SYNTOMS OF PROSTATE ENLARGEMENT

  • Urgent and Frequent need to pee

  • Nocturia or Increased frequency of urination at night

  • Delay in starting to pee

  • Weak urine stream

  • Stream that stops and starts.

  • Dribbling at the end of urination.

  • Feeling of not being the bladder completely emptied. It could causes prostate infections

The size and the symptoms severity are very important. The size of your prostate doesn't necessarily determine the severity of your symptoms. Some men with only slightly enlarged prostates can have significant symptoms, while other men with very enlarged prostates can have only minor urinary symptoms. With medicines, in some men, symptoms eventually stabilize and might even improve over time.

GRADES OF PROSTATE ENLARGEMENT

Determination of prostate size. (A) Normal prostate, Grade I (approximately 20g): Flat or slightly rounded surface, median sulcus usually unnoticed or shallow, superficial depth of lateral sulci, with approximately one fingertip length anteroposteriorly, and one fingertip mediolaterally; (B) Grade I/ II prostate (approximately 30g): Surface of the prostate between Grade I, and Grade II; (C) Grade II (approximately 40g): Bilobar rounded surface, well-delimitated median sulcus, superficial/intermediary depth of lateral sulci, with approximately two fingertips of length anteroposteriorly, and one/one and a half fingertip mediolaterally (above), or one fingertip length anteroposteriorly, and two fingertips mediolaterally (below); (D) Grade II/III (approximately 50g): Rounded surface, partial obliteration of the median sulcus, intermediary depth of lateral sulci, with approximately the same length of a Grade II prostate (above), or an asymmetric surface with one lobe Grade II, and the other lobe Grade III (below); (E) Grade III (approximately 60g): Rounded surface, complete obliteration of the median sulcus, intermediary/deep depth of lateral sulci, with two fingertips anteroposteriorly, and two fingertips mediolaterally; (F) Grade IV (approximately 80g or greater): Rounded surface, complete obliteration of the median sulcus, deep depth of lateral sulci, with no accessibility of the upper limits of the prostate to the tip of the examining finger.

When Should I See an Urologist?

Your Prostate Health is very important and see the urologist every six months after 40. Growth of this gland, which is just below the bladder, is typical. But problems when you pee aren’t. Even if you don’t think it’s a big deal, it’s worth getting checked out if you have common BPH symptoms, such as:

• Dribbling when you finish peeing

• A hard time starting a stream

• Having to pee a lot -- 8 or more times a day

• Waking up several times a night to pee

• A weak urine stream or you pee in stops and starts

Some problems with urine flow can be more serious. See your Urologist or go to Hospital right away if you:

• Can’t pee at all

• Feel intense pain or discomfort in your lower belly

• Have blood in your pee

• Keep needing to pee right away, it hurts to pee, and you have fever and chills

Who’s More Likely to Get BPH?

You may have a greater chance of an enlarged prostate based on your:

  • Enlarged Prostate is more common the older you get and doesn’t usually affect men younger than 40.

  • Genetics. If your dad or your brothers have the condition, you have a higher chance of getting it, too.

  • Ethnicity. This affects black and white men more often than Asian men. Black men may get symptoms at a younger age.

Some health conditions can also raise the odds you’ll get BPH, such as:

• Diabetes, heart disease, and problems with blood flow

• Erectile dysfunction

• Obesity

If you use beta blockers -- a type of medication used to treat conditions such as high blood pressure and migraines -- you may be more likely to get BPH.

HOW PREVENT THE PROSTATE ENLARGEMENT

Lifestyle changes can’t prevent BPH, but they may still be good for your prostate. For starters, exercise and a heart-healthy diet can help manage your weight, which is great for your prostate. Exercise can also help your bladder empty at a normal rate.

• To control symptoms, it may help to:

• Avoid or limit how you use decongestants and antihistamines during colds and allergy outbreaks as they tighten the muscles that control urine flow and make it harder to pee

• Do exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles

• Limit how much caffeine and alcohol you take in; they make you pee more and can irritate your bladder

• Lower the amount of fluids you drink, especially before you go out or go to bed

• Pee when you first feel the urge because it’s easier on your bladder

• Stay warm. Cold can make it feel more urgent to pee.