Prostate Enlargement: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

November 27, 2024

Prostate enlargement, or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), is a condition very commonly encountered by men as they age. In essence, BPH refers to the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, leading to several uncomfortable prostate gland enlargement symptomsWhile BPH itself is not dangerous, it may indeed cause uncomfortable disruption in a man's quality of life. Thankfully, there are many means by which this condition can be managed and treated-including lifestyle changes and medical interventions.

Let's get to know the causes and symptoms of BPH and how men can manage this condition through lifestyle changes as well as advanced medical treatments such as robotic surgery. We shall also bring out how Sohana Hospital is a trusted healthcare facility providing advanced treatments for prostate enlargement.

 

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?

Prostate is a gland that is lying below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It plays a key role in male reproductive health through the production of seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. The prostate gland changes in men as they age, including increases in size. Such benign enlargement is known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), and its nature is not cancerous.

Whereas BPH is not life-threatening, the protruding(sticking out) can cause serious urinary problems by compressing the urethra through which urine flows from the bladder out of the body. The cause of BPH is not well understood, but it is assumed to be in connection with hormonal changes experienced with age.

 

Causes of BPH

The main causes of BPH are attributable to the natural aging process and changes in hormone levels. Below are some of the most important factors that contribute to the development of BPH:

1. Hormonal Shifts: With the passage of years, the levels of testosterone or the primary male hormone in men decrease. There is also a gradual increase in the level of estrogen or the female hormone, which promotes further growth of prostate tissue.

2. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): DHT is a very potent form of testosterone that has been believed to be a significant contributor in prostate growth. As men age, the body of the male produces more DHT, which will lead to the enlargement of the prostate.

3. Genetics: There is some evidence that BPH is hereditary. If the history of the man's family has problems about prostate, then he is prone to be at risk for BPH.

4. Lifestyle Factors: A poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and obese condition are considered risk factors for the development of BPH. Overweight men tend to have an enlarged prostate, possibly as a result of hormonal imbalances associated with too much body fat.

 

 

Common Symptoms of BPH

As the prostate enlarges, it may start pressing against the urethra, which causes a series of urinary symptoms. These prostate gland enlargement symptoms can be mild or severe and may interfere with a man's daily life significantly. Common symptoms of BPH are:

  1. Frequent urination: Frequent urination is one that very often occurs, especially at night time (nocturia). This can make it quite difficult to sleep well because of waking up multiple times during the night to use the bathroom.
  2. Weak Urine Stream: A weak or slow urine stream is also a symptom that patients with BPH would often endure. The blockage of urine flow from the enlarged prostate could cause a weak or even intermittent urine stream.
  3. Difficulty Initiating Urination: In men with BPH, the need to urinate often starts with difficulty initiating the urination process. The pressure made by the enlarged prostate on the bladder is one of the reasons.
  4. Dribbling: After completing urination, men with BPH often exhibit dribbling or leakage of urine. This usually causes discomfort and is inconvenient.
  5. Incomplete Bladder Emptiness: For some men suffering from BPH, they may feel the bladder is not fully emptied upon urination, and they feel compelled to try urinating again shortly after.
  6. Pain or Discomfort: For others, the symptomatology may include pain or discomfort while urinating, especially when the disease causes urinary retention or infection.

 

Managing BPH: Lifestyle Changes and Medical Interventions

BPH is a progressive condition, but there are many ways of alleviating the symptoms and improving quality of life. It can be managed by changing lifestyle habits and medical treatments so that the causative factors of prostatic enlargement are relieved from distressing symptoms.

 

Lifestyle Changes

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Obesity has been linked to BPH, so maintaining a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet can manage symptoms. Focus on eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while reducing saturated fats and processed foods.

2. Restrict Fluid Intake: Before Bed If nocturia is also an issue, one simple solution is to limit fluid intake hours before sleep time. This can reduce the chances of waking up during the night to go to the bathroom.

3. Practice Double Voiding: Urinating in gaps is double voiding. This will help in reducing the urgency of urinating again and again and emptying the bladder.

4. Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol: Caffeine and alcohol are diuretics, which increase urine production. Limiting or avoiding these substances may reduce the frequency of urination and urgency.

5. Exercise Regularly: Regular exercise keeps hormone levels healthy and maintains the overall health of the prostate. Exercise may also help control symptoms by reducing inflammation and improving blood circulation.

6. Pelvic Floor Exercise: Strengthening of pelvic floor muscles can help improve bladder control. Kegel exercises, which are contractions and relaxations of the muscles that control urination, may be particularly helpful in managing mild symptoms.

 

Medical Interventions

Medical treatments often go along with lifestyle changes in the management of BPH, especially if the prostate gland enlargement symptoms are severe and interfere with daily activities. The common treatments for BPH include:

 

1. Medications: There are many types of medications used to treat BPH. Some of these include:

  1. Alpha-blockers: These medications cause relaxation of the muscles around the prostate and bladder so that urine flow may improve and the symptoms reduce.
  2. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors: They reduce the prostate organ through the inhibition of the effect of a male hormone known as DHT. Generally, the therapy takes its period, usually several months, to demonstrate its effectiveness and subsequently ease the symptoms.
  3. Combination Therapy: Some people receive a combination therapy through the blockade of alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors for better relief.

 

2. Least Invasive Treatments: If medicines are not helpful or the prostate is very enlarged, doctors may advise least invasive swollen prostate treatment. Among these treatments include:

  1. Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT): This technique involves microwave energy that destroys redundant prostate tissue.
  2. Transurethral Needle Ablation (TUNA): This is a method that employs radiofrequency energy in shrinking prostate tissue.
  3. Laser Treatment: Laser procedures use heat to either shrink excess prostate tissue or remove them, improving the flow of urination.

 

3. Robotic Surgery: Robotic surgery is an alternative for patients with worse BPH or not responding to other treatments. With Sohana Hospital, high-end robotic prostate surgery can remove excess prostate tissue with the least amount of invasion possible. This is done without pain, leading to quicker recovery periods and fewer complications than standard surgery.

The approach through robotic assistance offers considerable benefits over traditional surgery. With the da Vinci Surgical System, among others, robotic systems enable surgeons to operate more precisely, flexibly, and with greater control. This allows for smaller incisions and reduced bleeding and facilitates quicker recovery.

 

Robotic Surgery: Best Choice for Prostate Enlargement Treatment

At Sohana Hospital, we are offering only the best quality health care services including advanced prostate enlargement treatment such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). The highly experienced urologists at our setup offer highly advanced treatments like robotic surgery, taking care that you receive the most effective and minimally invasive care.

 

Benefits of robotic surgery from Sohana Hospital include:

  1. Minimally Invasive: Smaller incisions are involved in robotic surgery. Making it less painful, a short stay at hospital, and quick recovery.
  2. Precision and Accuracy: The robotic systems used at Sohana Hospital will provide enhanced precision. It will then result in better outcomes and fewer complications.

 

Benefits associated with robotic surgery include: 

  1. Reduced Risk of Side Effects: This kind of surgery helps preserve healthy tissues and reduces damage to the surrounding organs and nerves such as the bladder and erectile nerves.
  2. Faster Recovery: With smaller cuts and less damage on the body, patients heal faster and sooner return to their normal activities.

 

If you are suffering from BPH or any prostate-related condition, consult the specialists at Sohana Hospital for a customized swollen prostate treatment plan, with the potential option of robotic surgery.

 

 

Conclusion

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is one of the most common problems found in many aging males as they face discomfort along with urinary issues. Though it can be difficult and trying, there are several forms of management and treatment for BPH, from simple lifestyle alterations to highly advanced medical treatments. Medication, minimally invasive procedures, and robotic surgery are all available options to facilitate relief from these prostate gland enlargement symptoms and enable men to lead a relatively more comfortable life.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of BPH, don't wait-there are just guys at Sohana Hospital who can offer the latest treatments, including robotic-assisted surgery, to help men manage prostate enlargement with minimal discomfort and optimal results. Think Robotics, Think Sohana.