THE ENLARGED PROSTATE
This
condition is also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH.
What is benign prostate enlargement?
Unlike other organs in the body, the prostate gland continues to grow during every man’s lifespan. The prostate grows gradually after the age of about 50 and by the age of 70, approximately 8 out of 10 men have an enlarged prostate.What are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate?
Approximately 1 in 3 men will experience symptoms as a result of having an enlarged prostate gland. Most commonly, these symptoms will be:• A weak flow of urine
Urine flow is weak and it takes longer to empty the bladder.
• Hesitancy
Having to wait at the toilet before the urine starts to flow.
• Problems emptying
Feeling your bladder is not empty after you have been to the toilet.
• Frequency
Having to pass urine more often than before, often needing to get up several times during the night.
What causes the symptoms?
Not everyone with an enlarged prostate will develop symptoms; it depends how the prostate presses upon the urethra and lower bladder. If left untreated, an enlarged prostate resulting in urinary symptoms can lead to infections and more rarely, kidney damage.
It is important to note that not all urinary symptoms in men are the result of an enlarged prostate. If you have blood in your urine or experience pain, it is important that you have a full assessment to check whether the problems may be caused by other prostate, bladder or kidney problems.
How is the condition diagnosed?
A doctor may examine your prostate to feel how big it is. A special ultrasound test provides an accurate prostate volume. You may need to have blood and urine tests to check the function of your kidneys and rule out other potential problems, such as infection.Specialists at Birmingham Prostate Clinic sometimes use a cystoscopy, a special telescope to examine the bladder.
You may be asked to have a urine flow test to assess the blockage and a scan to look at the prostate and the bladder.