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What Does It Mean To Have An Enlarged Prostate

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What Are The Treatments For An Enlarged Prostate

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Home treatment

Home treatment won’t stop your prostate from getting larger. But it can help your symptoms. Try these home treatment tips:

  • Practice “double voiding.” Urinate as much as you can. Then relax for a few moments and try to go again.
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol. They make your body try to get rid of water and can make you urinate more often.
  • Try to avoid medicines that can make it hard to urinate. These include over-the-counter antihistamines, decongestants , and allergy pills. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about your medicines.

Medicine

If home treatment doesn’t help, you can take medicine for an enlarged prostate. Medicine can reduce the symptoms, but it rarely gets rid of them. If you stop taking medicine, symptoms return.

Surgery

If your symptoms are very bad, your doctor may suggest surgery to remove part of your prostate. Few men have symptoms or other problems that are this bad.

The most common surgery is TURP . A thin tool is inserted up the urethra to remove the section of prostate tissue that is blocking urine flow.

Other types of surgery include:

  • Plasma vaporization , which removes prostate tissue.
  • Laser therapies, which remove a portion of the prostate.
  • Transurethral incision of the prostate . During this procedure, incisions are made in the prostate to reduce pressure on the urethra.

There are also some other surgeries. Talk to your doctor about these options.

Tips For Relieving Bph Symptoms

Four simple steps can help relieve some of the symptoms of BPH:

  • Some men who are nervous and tense urinate more frequently. Reduce stress by exercising regularly and practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation.
  • When you go to the bathroom, take the time to empty your bladder completely. This will reduce the need for subsequent trips to the toilet.
  • Talk with your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you’re taking; some may contribute to the problem. Your doctor may be able to adjust dosages or change your schedule for taking these drugs, or he or she may prescribe different medications that cause fewer urinary problems.
  • Avoid drinking fluids in the evening, particularly caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Both can affect the muscle tone of the bladder and stimulate the kidneys to produce urine, leading to nighttime urination.
  • For more on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate diseases, read;the;Annual Report on Prostate Diseases;from Harvard Medical School.

    Minimally Invasive Treatments For An Enlarged Prostate

    When medications don’t help your enlarged prostate, several procedures can relieve symptoms — without surgery. They are performed in a doctor’s office. “These procedures use various types of heat energy to shrink a portion of the prostate,” explains Westney. “They are very effective.”

    TUMT : This therapy for mild to moderate blockage reduces urinary frequency, urgency, straining, and intermittent flow — but does not correct any bladder-emptying problems. In this procedure, computer-regulated microwaves are used to heat portions within the prostate to destroy select tissue. A cooling system protects the wall of the urethra during the procedure. TUMT is performed in a doctor’s office and requires only topical anesthesia and pain medications.

    Possible side effects include painful urination for several weeks. Temporary urgency and frequency of urination is also possible. There may be less semen ejaculated. Many men must have this procedure repeated, either because symptoms return or do not improve.

    TUNA : This procedure also destroys prostate tissue to improve urine flow and relieve symptoms. It involves heating the tissue with high-frequency radiowaves transmitted by needles inserted directly into the prostate . The procedure does not require a hospital stay. Possible side effects include painful, urgent, or frequent urination for a few weeks.

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    Herbal Therapies For An Enlarged Prostate

    Several herbal supplements are marketed for enlarged prostates. Saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, and pygeum are all are widely used in Europe. They are available in the U.S. and don’t require a prescription.

    However, researchers and doctors are cautious about advising patients to try herbal supplements. Because they are not FDA-regulated, there are concerns about a product’s quality from batch to batch, according to the NIH’s Office of Dietary Supplements. Also, the safety of an herbal product depends on many things — the chemical makeup, how it works in the body, how it is prepared, and the dosage.

    Something else to consider: Like any drug, a herbal remedy can affect how other medications or treatments work, or interact dangerously with your other medications. They can also have side effects. And, the AUA points out, they have not been well-studied for effectiveness or safety.

    Before trying any alternative treatment, learn as much as you can about it, the AUA says. Most importantly — talk to your doctor before you try an herbal remedy. Many doctors consider alternative therapies like saw palmetto to “have no effect on symptoms, except as expensive placebos,” Slawin tells WebMD.

    Beta-sitosterol: This compound is extracted from pollen of rye grass. There has been some evidence that it provides relief from urinary symptoms. However, in four studies the supplement did not increase urinary flow rates, shrink the prostate, or improve bladder emptying.

    What Treatments Are Used For An Enlarged Prostate

    Treating an enlarged prostate

    A number of treatments are available for an enlarged prostate that is causing urine problems.

    • Medicine: Two types of medicines are now in use to treat prostate enlargement. A medicine that is normally used for high blood pressure helps to relax the muscle tissue in the prostate, relieving part of the blockage. The second type of medicine used shrinks the enlarged prostate by blocking the effect on the prostate of the male hormone, testosterone. These medicines are helpful to some of the men who have enlarged prostates.
    • Surgery: This is currently the most widely accepted method of treating enlarged prostate when symptoms are severe. Basically, the operation removes some of the enlarged tissue to relieve the symptoms. More limited types of surgery are also done, which just make cuts in the prostate instead of removing tissue.
    • Newer treatments: High levels of electric current can be used to destroy enlarged prostate tissue. Thermal therapy uses microwave or radiofrequency energy to reduce the gland’s size. Herbal extracts such as saw palmetto have been reported to help reduce symptoms in some cases. These new treatments are still being evaluated by doctors, and the long-term risks and benefits are not yet known. Your doctor will advise you about what treatment is best for you.

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    What Are The Risks And Side Effects Of Surgery

    TURP has possible side effects, such as:

    • Retrograde ejaculation. This means that semen flows backward into the bladder instead of out through the penis. It isn’t harmful, but it can affect your ability to father children.
    • Out of 100 men who have TURP, 25 to 99 have retrograde ejaculation. That means 1 to 75 out of 100 men do not.footnote 1
  • Erection problems.
  • Out of 100 men who have TURP, 3 to 35 report having erection problems. That means 65 to 97 out of 100 men do not.footnote 1
  • Incontinence. A small number of men say they are unable to hold back their urine after surgery.
  • Out of 100 men who have TURP, about 1 reports not being able to control urine flow. That means about 99 out of 100 men are able to control urine flow.footnote 1
  • A few men will need a second operation several years later, because their symptoms return. This can happen for many reasons, such as if:

    • The surgery doesn’t remove enough of the prostate.
    • The prostate continues to enlarge after surgery.
    • Scar tissue from the surgery blocks the urethra.

    Your doctor may recommend surgery if:

    • You cannot urinate.
    • You have a partial blockage in your urethra that is causing repeated urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or bladder damage.
    • You have kidney damage.
    • You have too many side effects from the medicines.

    What Kinds Of Surgery Are Done For Enlarged Prostates

    The most common surgery is TURP . A thin tool is inserted up the urethra to remove the section of prostate tissue that is blocking urine flow.

    Other types of surgery include:

    • Plasma vaporization , which removes prostate tissue.
    • Laser therapies, which remove a portion of the prostate.
    • Transurethral incision of the prostate . During this procedure, incisions are made in the prostate to reduce pressure on the urethra.

    There are also some other surgeries. Talk to your doctor about these options.

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    How Is Enlarged Prostate Diagnosed

    The first step is a standard physical exam which often involves a urine analysis and a digital rectal exam, which involves a doctor inserting a finger into the rectum. The physician will assess the size and contour of the prostate and determine if any nodules are present, which may suggest the presence of prostate cancer.

    The physician may also assess for tenderness, which can be found when the prostate is inflamed. Tests may be done in the office to assess strength of urine flow or to check for residual urine in the bladder.

    Next, doctors may run one or several tests to make an accurate diagnosis. These can include a PSA blood test, urodynamic tests , cystoscopy and transrectal ultrasound .

    When Is Bph Treatment Necessary

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    The course of BPH in any individual is not predictable. Symptoms, as well as objective measurements of urethral obstruction, can remain stable for many years and may even improve over time for as many as one-third of men, according to some studies. In a study from the Mayo Clinic, urinary symptoms did not worsen over a 3.5-year period in 73% of men with mild BPH. A progressive decrease in the size and force of the urinary stream and the feeling of incomplete bladder emptying are the symptoms most correlated with the eventual need for treatment. Although nocturia is one of the most annoying BPH symptoms, it does not predict the need for future intervention.

    If worsening urethral obstruction is left untreated, possible complications are a thickened, irritable bladder with reduced capacity for urine; infected residual urine or bladder stones; and a backup of pressure that damages the kidneys.

    • Inadequate bladder emptying resulting in damage to the kidneys
    • Complete inability to urinate after acute urinary retention
    • Incontinence due to overfilling or increased sensitivity of the bladder
    • Bladder stones
    • Recurrent severe hematuria
    • Symptoms that trouble the patient enough to diminish his quality of life

    Find a Location

    Currently, the main options to address BPH are:

    • Watchful waiting
    • Medication
    • Surgery

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    Does Surgery On The Prostate Gland Interfere With Sexual Function

    Surgery for an enlarged prostate does not usually interfere with a man’s sexual functioning. However, about 10 to 15 percent of men may have trouble getting erections after surgery. Men may have a problem called retrograde ejaculation, which causes semen to go backward into the bladder instead of through the urethra to the outside. This means no longer being able to father children but causes no other harm.

    A New Treatment Option For Bph

    Experts at University Hospitals now offer a new, minimally invasive approach to treat BPH called UroLift®.

    Instead of removing prostate tissue, this procedure implants a device that pulls the prostate away from the urethra on both sides and holds it in place. This widens the urethra and restores normal urine flow.

    Its like opening a curtain, says UH urologist Irina Jaeger, MD.

    This procedure is a nice alternative, because the side effects are very minimal, it can be done in the doctors office in 15 minutes or less and very little sedation is required, she says. And the results are pretty instant.

    UroLift®has been in use for six years. Studies have shown that the procedure is safe, effectively relieves symptoms and does not affect sexual function.

    The only side effects are a little irritation immediately after the procedure. Patients are typically back to their normal routines within a day or two.

    For more information about UroLift® and other treatments for BPH, or to schedule a consultation with a mens health expert, call or visit our website.

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    Other Points To Consider With Enlarged Prostate

    Need for repeat procedures: With minimally invasive procedures for an enlarged prostate, there is a chance you will need to have a repeat procedure later on. Having the procedure when youre young makes that a near certainty. However, that may be a risk youre willing to take to avoid surgery in the short term.

    Side effects of treatments: Some BPH treatments cause erection problems, although that risk is low. Men who have normal erections before surgery will not likely have trouble afterward. Some treatments cause retrograde ejaculation . Fertility can also be affected, but is still possible with newer assisted reproductive techniques.

    Multiple health problems: If you have other health problems, especially if you are on an anticoagulant and cannot stop taking this medication, your treatment options for enlarged prostate may be affected. For example, if you have had surgery for obstructive sleep apnea or pulmonary surgery in the past, having surgery with general anesthesia may be too risky. However, spinal anesthesia may be an option for you. Or you may wish to have a minimally invasive office procedure that doesnt require anesthesia at all.

    Talk to your doctor about your BPH symptom score, your concerns, and about the plan of treatment that works best for you.

    It Could Be Nothingor It Could Be Dangerous

    Enlarged Prostate: Everything You Need To Know

    The prostate thats normally the size of a walnut has a tendency to enlarge at some point in most mens lives: prostate gland. An enlarged prostate gland is not uncommon, particularly after the age of 40. This gland which surrounds the urethra has the important function of secreting a fluid that helps to nourish sperm. The urethra is a tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the tip of the penis. If the prostate gland begins to enlarge, it may press on the urethra causing problems with urination, such as urinary tract infections, and can result in bladder or kidney damage.

    It is important for men to be aware of these reasons and to inform his physician at any time he notices any bodily changes that may be the sign of an enlarged prostate.

    The three possible reasons for an enlarged prostate are:

    BPH Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

    The basic definition of BPH is an enlarged prostate, and its a benign or non-cancerous condition. During a mans life, the prostate will go through two main growth phases. The first occurs during puberty when the prostate doubles in size. The second begins around age 25 and will continue throughout the remainder of a mans life, making BPH very common in older men. With age, the prostate tends to enlarge. BPH does not appear until the second phase when the prostate begins to press on the urethra causing urinary issues.

    Prostatitis

    Prostate Cancer

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    Treatments Options For High

    The prostate is a walnut-sized organ that is part of the male reproductive system. It sits in front the bladder and above the rectum. The prostate is responsible for the production and supply of fluid that helps nourish sperm in the ejaculate. The urethra, where urine travels from the bladder to the penis, runs through the prostate.

    As a result of family history, lifestyle, diet, and natural hormonal changes, the prostate begins to grow in size as men age, starting in their mid-30s. When the prostate becomes more enlarged over time, it might press against the urethra and block urine flow . This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.

    Enlarged prostates differ in size. The size can be estimated on digital rectal exam or prostate imaging like an ultrasound. People with very enlarged prostates have several treatment options. However, size is not the only factor used to choose a treatment.

    When doctors evaluate the prostate, symptoms are just as important as size. In addition, size and symptoms don’t always correspond. For example, one person might have a mildly enlarged prostate with noticeable symptoms, while another person could have a very large prostate with no symptoms.

    All of this information is the basis of a personalized treatment plan. Here are the options for patients with very enlarged prostates, with or without symptoms.

    Talking With Your Doctor

    Different kinds of doctors and other health care professionals manage prostate health. They can help you find the best care, answer your questions, and address your concerns. These health care professionals include:

    • Family doctors and internists
    • Physician assistants and nurse practitioners
    • Urologists, who are experts in diseases of the urinary tract system and the male reproductive system
    • Urologic oncologists, who are experts in treating cancers of the urinary system and the male reproductive system
    • Radiation oncologists, who use radiation therapy to treat cancer
    • Medical oncologists, who treat cancer with medications such as hormone treatments and chemotherapy
    • Pathologists, who identify diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope

    View these professionals as your partnersâexpert advisors and helpers in your health care. Talking openly with your doctors can help you learn more about your prostate changes and the tests to expect.

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    Key Points To Remember

    • Surgery can help if your enlarged prostate is causing serious problemssuch as kidney problems or repeated urinary tract infectionsor if medicines haven’t helped.
    • The most important thing in deciding whether to have surgery is how much the symptoms bother you.
    • Surgery works well for most men. But it can cause side effects, including ejaculation problems and erection problems.

    Prostate Cancer Diagnoses And Treatment

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    All cancer is complex, but prostate cancer testing and treatment is particularly complicated.

    In some men with prostate cancer, the cancer will grow very slowly, and wont significantly affect them during their lifetime. Other mens prostate cancer can grow and spread very quickly. At the moment, there is no test that can tell what type of prostate cancer a man has when he is diagnosed.

    Because some treatments for prostate cancer can cause side effects which might impact on quality of life, its important for men to discuss with their doctor all their options for testing and treatment, and to discuss these with their partners and families. These might include watchful waiting, which means waiting to see what the cancer does over time, radiation, surgery or taking medications.

    You can read more about what kinds of questions to ask your doctors about prostate cancer testing and treatment on the Cancer Council website.

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