Enlarged Prostate Health Feed

The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ at the base of the urinary bladder and urethra is a thin tube that carries urine out of the penis. It runs through the prostate gland. A fluid produced by this gland helps to carry sperms produced by the testes outside during intercourse.

Cause of urinary problems in men

Men experience urinary symptoms either due to inflammation of the prostate gland or prostatitis or symptoms may be the result of a blockage of the passage due to enlargement of the prostate gland.

Symptoms of urinary problems

Urinary symptoms commonly experienced with prostate problems include;

1. The need to urinate frequently during the night.

2. Urinating more often during the day.

3. Urinary urgency is the urge to urinate can be so strong and sudden that one may not reach the toilet in time.

4. The urine stream is slow to start.

5. Urine dribbling for some time after finishing urination.

6. A sensation that the bladder is not fully emptied after urination.

7. A lack of force to the urine flow, which makes directing the stream difficult.

8. The sensation of needing to go again soon after urinating

Treatment

1. A long course of antibacterial medication (for bacterial prostatitis) is prescribed, because infection is difficult to get rid of, the antibacterial medication will need to be taken for many weeks.

2. Medication to improve urine flow and other symptoms (for obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate).

3. Surgical procedures (for blockage caused by an enlarged prostate), such as Transurethral Resection of the prostate(TURP), Laser Resection of prostate, Transurethral Incision of the prostate(TUIP).

UroLift: A new method of treatment for men, where medication has not been successful, but their prostates are not so enlarged that they need more invasive surgery. It involves the Transurethral Insertion of staples to separate the lobes of the prostate. It has minimal side effects and preserves ejaculatory and erectile function.

A number of other procedures that have been developed to reduce urinary symptoms.

Medication for urinary problems

Various medications to help ease your urinary problems, including;

1. Medications to reduce the tone of the muscles of the urethra and prostate to minimize any obstruction to urine flow caused when these muscles contract.

2. Medication to reduce the size of the prostate gland. These drugs work by blocking the action of male hormones produced by the prostate gland.

3. Medications to relax the bladder, making unwanted contractions less likely and reducing the symptoms of urgency and frequency of urination.

4. Over-the-counter medicine 'Saw Palmetto' (Serenoa repens) is used sometimes. This may help some men, especially if frequent urination at night is a problem. However, recent reviews of the evidence for using Saw Palmetto as a treatment for mild or moderate urinary symptoms did not show any improvement compared to no treatment, in men with BPH.

The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ at the base of the urinary bladder and urethra is a thin tube that carries urine out of the penis. It runs through the prostate gland. A fluid produced by this gland helps to carry sperms produced by the testes outside during intercourse.

Cause of urinary problems in men

Men experience urinary symptoms either due to inflammation of the prostate gland or prostatitis or symptoms may be the result of a blockage of the passage due to enlargement of the prostate gland.

Symptoms of urinary problems

Urinary symptoms commonly experienced with prostate problems include;

1. The need to urinate frequently during the night.

2. Urinating more often during the day.

3. Urinary urgency is the urge to urinate can be so strong and sudden that one may not reach the toilet in time.

4. The urine stream is slow to start.

5. Urine dribbling for some time after finishing urination.

6. A sensation that the bladder is not fully emptied after urination.

7. A lack of force to the urine flow, which makes directing the stream difficult.

8. The sensation of needing to go again soon after urinating

Treatment

1. A long course of antibacterial medication (for bacterial prostatitis) is prescribed, because infection is difficult to get rid of, the antibacterial medication will need to be taken for many weeks.

2. Medication to improve urine flow and other symptoms (for obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate).

3. Surgical procedures (for blockage caused by an enlarged prostate), such as Transurethral Resection of the prostate(TURP), Laser Resection of prostate, Transurethral Incision of the prostate(TUIP).

UroLift: A new method of treatment for men, where medication has not been successful, but their prostates are not so enlarged that they need more invasive surgery. It involves the Transurethral Insertion of staples to separate the lobes of the prostate. It has minimal side effects and preserves ejaculatory and erectile function.

A number of other procedures that have been developed to reduce urinary symptoms.

Medication for urinary problems

Various medications to help ease your urinary problems, including;

1. Medications to reduce the tone of the muscles of the urethra and prostate to minimize any obstruction to urine flow caused when these muscles contract.

2. Medication to reduce the size of the prostate gland. These drugs work by blocking the action of male hormones produced by the prostate gland.

3. Medications to relax the bladder, making unwanted contractions less likely and reducing the symptoms of urgency and frequency of urination.

4. Over-the-counter medicine 'Saw Palmetto' (Serenoa repens) is used sometimes. This may help some men, especially if frequent urination at night is a problem. However, recent reviews of the evidence for using Saw Palmetto as a treatment for mild or moderate urinary symptoms did not show any improvement compared to no treatment, in men with BPH.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH is a condition where the prostate gland gets enlarged. This is mostly common in men who are ageing. When the prostate gland gets enlarged, the flow of urine through the urethra gets blocked, and hence, several problems related to urination may occur. BPH occurs as a result of hormonal imbalance. If untreated, BPH can lead to severe bladder and urinary health conditions.

There are several symptoms and signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Here are 7 common symptoms:

1. A frequent need for urination: Men affected by BPH feel an increased need to urinate frequently. This gets enhanced during the night and is called nocturia. The patient may even need to urinate more than eight times a day. Due to the enlarged prostate gland, more pressure is put on the urethra, which leads to uncontrollable urination.
2. Urinating difficulties: The act of urination becomes difficult. Because of enhanced pressure on the urethra, the flow of urine to the penis from the bladder gets blocked. This makes a urine stream hard to start. The urine stream gets weak and interrupted, and more difficulty may be experienced during the end of urination.
3. Pain during urination and ejaculation: Due to pressure on the urinary tract and reproductive system, pain can accompany urination and ejaculation. Some patients tend to push urine out, which results in pain. The pain may also occur because of infection during BPH.
4. Blood in urine and an unusual color/smell: Urine may take a dark color and have an unusual smell due to urinary retention. Unpleasant urine smell signifies urinary tract infection. Blood in the urine may also result because of dilated veins present on the surface of the enlarged prostate.
5. Urinary retention: When a patient is unable to pass any urine, it is called urinary retention. Such a condition requires immediate treatment, and you need to consult a doctor immediately.
6. Urinary tract infections: Bacteria may start growing in the bladder when the bladder is not fully emptied of urine. This bacterial infection causes darkening of the urine, and emission of a foul odor.
7. Bladder stones: Bladder stones may develop because of the inability of the bladder to empty itself completely. This is a major symptom of BPH. Hard lumps of minerals or bladder stones are formed when the urine present in the bladder gets highly concentrated, which causes the crystallization of minerals. Bladder stones may cause infections, result in blood in urine, cause bladder irritation and may also block urine flow.

So you see that benign prostatic hyperplasia involves the enlargement of the prostate gland, and results in several problems related to urination and different symptoms. Hence, immediate treatment is advisable.

The prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland located under the bladder. Its main function is to add fluid to the semen produced by the reproductive system. It does not cause any problems in men until later in life when it begins to grow. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH can affect some men, but you can reduce your risk of this condition.

Risk factors for BPH
Knowing and understanding factors that cause BPH will help you avoid or reduce your risk of this condition. In addition to age the other risk factors of BPH are:

1. Family history: If a close family member such as father or brother has had BPH you are more likely to have this condition
2. Ethnic background: According to a study published in the Journal of Urology, Black and Hispanic men are at high risk of being affected by BPH than white men.
3. Diabetes: A study published in the journal Differentiation has suggested that diabetes can cause prostate growth.
4. Obesity: Men who are overweight or have a high amount of body fat could also have high levels of the female hormone estrogen which causes the prostate to grow
5. Inactivity: Inactive men or those that do little or no exercise are at a higher risk of BPH. Exercising will help you keep blood pressure and cholesterol levels in check and keep your heart healthy which reduces the risk of BPH. Heart disease which can be caused due to inactivity or obesity is known to cause BPH

Preventing BPH
Although certain risk factors such as family history, age and ethnic background, are beyond your control, you can control a few others.

1. Exercising such as swimming, cycling and walking for just half an hour can help lower your risk of BPH. Diet too plays an important role in keeping your weight in check and preventing conditions such as diabetes which can cause BPH.
2. Certain foods too are said to slow the rate of prostate growth. A diet low in sugar and saturated fats but rich in healthy fats such as that found in nuts and oily fish is usually recommended.
3. Supplements can also help. If you feel you are not getting all the nutrition you require from your diet it might be advisable to take supplements. There are many different types of natural supplements available. Ensure that you discuss this with your doctor before starting on a daily supplement.
4. Limiting or reducing your intake of caffeine can be beneficial for not only the prostate but also the bladder. Drink plenty of water instead.
5. Stress can trigger and worsen symptoms of BPH such as the frequency to urinate and pain
6. Discussing the risk factors of BPH with your doctor and working with them to set up diet or meal plans will help you reduce your risk of this condition.

Spermaturia and its Causes -

Spermaturia is a human disease characterized by the presence of sperm in the urine. Things that can lead to spermaturia are discussed below.

1. Retrograde Ejaculation -
It refers to the entry of semen into the bladder instead of going out through the urethra during ejaculation. The possible symptoms may include cloudy urine after sexual climax, and little or no semen discharged from the penis during orgasms. Surgery, diabetes, mood-altering drugs and some medications, including some drugs used to treat high blood pressure, may cause it.

2. Enlarged Prostate -
The prostate is a gland that produces the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. It surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body. An enlarged prostate means the gland has grown bigger and it happens to almost all men as they get older. The cause of prostate enlargement is not known yet.

3. Alcohol -
Too much consumption of alcohol may reduce sperm quality and even cause spermaturia in young men. Those who become addicted to alcohol at a young age are likely to go through problems like spermaturia. Therefore, men of reproductive age should be advised to steer clear of habitual drinking.

4. Diabetes -
Blood sugar that remains uncontrolled for a long time may damage the organs and nerves, affecting the muscles of the bladder.

5. Surgery -
There are a number of surgeries which may cause spermaturia. Some of them include prostate surgery, urethral surgery, bladder neck surgery, surgery for testicular cancer, or surgery on the lower spine.

6. Medication -
Long-term use of certain medications can cause this problem. Such medications include drugs for an enlarged prostate, some antidepressants, some antipsychotic drugs, and drugs for high blood pressure or a mood disorder.

Prevention -

Occasional semen leakage with the urine is usually not a reason to worry. It is neither dangerous nor painful and does not always require treatment. However, there are some potential complications like infertility or less pleasurable orgasm. These can be prevented if you keep in mind the following things:

• Men who need treatment for enlarged prostate should consider surgeries that are less invasive, which are less likely to cause nerve and muscle damage.
• Avoiding drugs that may cause spermaturia will prevent the condition from developing as a result of their use.
• Maintaining good blood sugar control in diabetic men may also be helpful in preventing the development of this condition.