WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PROSTATE ENLARGEMENT

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PROSTATE ENLARGEMENT

The prostate gland lies just below the bladder in males. It surrounds the top part the urinary passage that drains from the bladder, known as urethra. The gland produces the bulk of the fluid in semen (the fluid that transports and nourishes sperm). The tissue enlargement, known as prostate enlargement, often compresses the urethra, blocking the urinary flow to some degree. It also causes erectile dysfunction, and spread of cancer to the lungs, bones, and lymph nodes, if cancerous.

WHO IT MAY AFFECT

    +Men in their 40’s and above

(                 +50% of men in their 40’s and 50’s

(                 +70% of men in their 60’s

                     +90% of men in their 70’s and 80’s

SYMPTOMS

              +Urinary frequency (with or without burning sensation)

             +Stopping and starting during urination

              +Inability to completely empty the bladder

             +Pains around the groin

              +Impotency

              +Difficulty starting urination

             +Urgency in leaking or dribbling

             +Blood in the urine

             +Reduce sexual activity

              +Discomfort during intercourse

              +Weak urinary stream

              + Noctumia (increases frequency at night)

      +Urinary tract infections

     +Painful orgasm

Note:

That this varies on an individual basis and only about 50% of men with this problem have symptoms significant enough to seek medical attention.

Risk factors

        + The main risk factor is ageing.

        +Other risk factors include heredity, as the likelihood increases if there is a family history.

        +Marital status, as married men are more likely to develop this condition than single men, for unknown reasons.

.       + Natural origin, as some races have a higher incidence.

Diagnosis

This is based on history and medical examination. The prostate specific Antigent (PSA) test should be done (higher than normal levels (0-4ng/1) may indicate enlargement, prostatitis or cancer of the prostate). PAS is normally produced by the prostate to liquefy semen and is usually present in the blood at low levels. Digital Rectum Examination (DRE) is also a must. During DRE, the doctor inserts a lubricated gloved hand into the rectum, feels the prostate gland and check for any lumps or firmness in the prostate.

Control of symptoms

1. Empty the bladder regularly to avoid it getting full. This will help alleviate discomfort. Some men are better able to achieve this by sitting on the toilet rather than standing.

2. Limit alcohol and caffeinated beverages as they irritate the bladder and increase urine production.

3. Avoid decongestants as they encourage tightening of the sphincter, making urination more difficult.

4. Avoid drinking water and beverages after 7 pm to reduce nocturnia

Prostate Conditions

Prostatitis - Inflammation of the prostate, sometimes caused by infection. In some cases, it is treated with antibiotics.

Enlarged prostate - Called benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH, prostate growth affects virtually all men over 50. Symptoms of difficult urination tend to increase with age. Medicines or surgery can treat BPH

Prostate cancer - It’s the most common form of cancer in men (besides skin cancer), but only one in 35 men die from prostate cancer. Surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy can be used to treat prostate cancer. Some men choose to delay treatment, which is called watchful waiting.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostatectomy -Surgery for prostate cancer, called a prostatectomy, removes the prostate with the goal of removing all the cancer

Radiation therapy - Radiation kills prostate cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells

Radioactive seed implant - Instead of radiation pointed at the prostate from outside the body, radioactive seeds can be implanted into the prostate to kill cancer cells

 Cryotherapy - Cryotherapy involves killing prostate cancer cells by freezing them

Hormone therapy - Prostate cancer cells grow in response to hormones Hormone therapy helps block that effect

Chemo therapy - When prostate cancer is advanced, chemotherapy may help reduce the cancer’s spread

Watchful waiting-Since prostate cancer is often slow growing, some older men and their doctors hold off on treatment and wait to see if the cancer appears to be growing.

Clinical trials - Through prostate cancer clinical trials, researchers test the effects of new medications on a group of volunteers with prostate cancer.