Using Medication To Reduce Symptoms
Ag Garland Makes Surprise Trip To Ukraine To Discuss War Crime Investigations
The National Institutes of Health describes benign prostatic hyperplasia as an enlarged and “not cancerous” prostate gland that causes the narrowing of the urethra and obstructs the ability to completely empty the bladder. It is the most common prostate problem for men older than age 50, afflicting about half of men ages 51 to 60, a percentage that appears to increase with age, according to NIH.
Complications include bladder and kidney damage and bladder stones, NIH says, adding that while such complications are uncommon, kidney damage can pose a serious health threat.
Garland is expected to return to the office the week of July 11.
The procedure was announcement the same day the office of Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said he would undergo surgery to repair a broken hip after he fell at his home.
Leahy, 82, is third in the presidential line of succession Garland is seventh.
Zoë Richards is the evening politics reporter for NBC News.
How Is Bph Diagnosed And Evaluated
Early diagnosis of BPH is important because if left untreated it can lead to urinary tract infections, bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones and incontinence. Distinguishing BPH from more serious diseases like prostate cancer is important.
Tests vary from patient to patient, but the following are the most common:
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Diagnosis Of An Enlarged Prostate
The doctor will ask some detailed questions about the symptoms and by doing a physical exam. This will include:
- Urine test: The doctor will analyze the sample of your urine which can help to detect the infection or conditions which can cause the symptoms.
- Blood test: This will indicate kidney problems
- Digital rectal exam: The doctor here inserts a finger into the rectum to check for prostate enlargement
If the condition is bad, the doctor will recommend:
- Prostate biopsy: In transrectal ultrasound, needles are used to take some tissue samples of the prostate. By examining the tissue, the doctor can determine the problem.
- Cystoscopy: This is a lighted, flexible instrument which is inserted into the urethra, which allows the doctor to see the inside of the bladder. The doctor will give the anesthesia.
- Transrectal ultrasound: An ultrasound probe is inserted in the rectum to measure and examine your prostate.
When Should You Call A Doctor For Bph
Urinary symptoms related to enlarging prostate initially affect the quality of life, and if no complications exist, as mentioned above , the decision to treat is optional and is left to the patient. This means that if you don’t feel bothered enough to take a medicine or undergo a procedure for it, you’ll need to follow up with your doctor to ensure the symptoms are stable, and the bladder empties well. This can be assessed by prostate symptom questionnaires and a measure of the strength of the urinary stream and residual urine in the bladder. If complications develop, however, or if the bladder starts holding increasing amounts of residual urine after urination, treatment should be started.
If you experience bladder pain or burning with urination, blood in the urine associated with fever/chills or nausea/vomiting, or if the prostate enlargement condition worsens and symptoms such as blood in the urine or lower back pain are present, consult a doctor immediately. If you cannot reach your doctor when these symptoms are present, seek evaluation at a hospital’s emergency department.
For acute symptoms such as acute urinary retention , you should immediately go to the closest emergency medical facility for bladder drainage, usually with a catheter, which is a tube inserted into the bladder.
Men over 50 years of age should have their prostate checked annually by their physician even if they have no symptoms.
Recommended Reading: Prostate Cancer And Urinary Incontinence
How Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Diagnosed
Your doctor will look at your medical history and give you a complete physical examination.
Your doctor will perform a digital rectal examination by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum to feel the prostate, estimate its size and detect any hard areas that could be cancer.
Several studies may be performed to help diagnose your condition:
- A survey to evaluate how severe your symptoms are.
- A flow study may be conducted to measure how slow the urinary stream is compared with normal urine flow.
- A study to detect how much urine is left in the bladder after you finish urinating.
- A cystoscopy to look into the bladder.
Your Quality Of Life With An Enlarged Prostate
If your enlarged prostate symptoms are mild and not bothersome, there’s likely no need for treatment. One-third of men with mild BPH find that their symptoms clear up without treatment. They may just watch and wait.
However, when enlarged prostate symptoms are bothersome or are affecting your quality of life or overall health, it’s time to talk to your doctor about the treatment options. Together you will determine if you would benefit most from medication, a minimally invasive procedure, or surgery.
It’s important to talk with a doctor when you begin noticing changes in urinary function. You need to find out what’s going on so you can be treated for enlarged prostate if necessary. For many men, especially those who are young when the prostate starts growing, getting early treatment can head off complications later on.
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Diagnosing Benign Prostate Enlargement
To find out whether your prostate gland is enlarged, you’ll need to have a few tests.
Some tests will be carried out by your GP and others will be carried out by a urologist .
First, your GP will ask about your symptoms. If it seems that you have symptoms of benign prostate enlargement, the next stage is to calculate your International Prostate Symptom Score .
Different Signs Of Prostate Problems
There are different signs of prostate problems that men go through. One of the signs of a prostate problem is difficulty in peeing. If you take a long time to pee, consult a doctor. Another sign of a prostate problem is when you strain to pee. If your urine flow isnt good but weak, it is a sign of a prostate problem. And when you go to pee, it starts, stops, and starts again. If this happens regularly, it is a sign of prostate problems.
If you keep peeing frequently and havent had any liquid to drink, it is one of the obvious signs of prostate problems. If you wake up often in the middle of the night to pee, you could have a prostate problem. It is essential to see a general practitioner if you feel you have an enlarged prostate, even if the symptoms are mild. If you find blood in your pee, it is better to visit the doctor immediately before the condition worsens.
However, signs of prostate problems start from the age of 40. These are due to the cell changes in the testicle, which lead to prostate enlargement.
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Side Effects Of Urolift System For Bph Compared To Side Effects Of Medications For Enlarged Prostate
Highest quality scientific studies compared Urolift to placebo or sham treatment. It revealed that men have significant improvement in their urinary symptoms after the Urolift procedure that is similar to or better than those typically achieved with medications. In addition, no men experienced any significant side effects of treatment.
- Men treated with Urolift did not experience problems with ejaculation. This compares favorably with medications commonly used for an enlarged prostate which often causes ejaculatory problems.
- Men treated with Urolift experienced improved sexual satisfaction after 1 year compared to non-treated men. This compares favorably to medications and other surgical treatments for BPH which tend to worsen sexual satisfaction in men over time.
- Men treated with Urolift did not experience dizziness or stomach upset, common side effects of medications.
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.
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Treatment Options For Enlarged Prostate
For men over 50, prostate problems are common. The prostate gland is located just below the bladder and surrounds the top portion of the urethra, which is the tube that drains urine from the bladder. The prostate’s primary function is to produce the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
As men age, the prostate gland tends to grow larger. Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also called prostate gland enlargement, can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as blocking the flow of urine out of the bladder, or bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems. Fortunately, a wide variety of treatments are available for enlarged prostate, including medication, minimally invasive therapies and surgery.
On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Mitchell Humphreys, a Mayo Clinic urologist, will highlight prostate health and treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Also on the program, Dr. Francisco Lopez-Jimenez, a Mayo Clinic cardiologist, will discuss sex after a heart attack. And Dr. Bruce Levy, a Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeon, will share how his patients’ experiences with lack of privacy during surgery led him and his wife to found a new company, COVR Medical.
To hear the program, find an affiliate in your area.
Use the hashtag #MayoClinicRadio, and tweet your questions.
Mayo Clinic Radio is on iHeartRadio.
Access archived shows or to the podcast.
Mayo Clinic Radio produces a weekly one-hour radio program highlighting health and medical information from Mayo Clinic.
Annual Report On Prostate Diseases
Most men eventually develop some type of prostate problem, and when they do there are usually no easy solutions. More than a primer on prostate conditions, this Special Health Report, the Annual Report on Prostate Diseases, includes roundtable discussions with experts at the forefront of prostate research, interviews with men about their treatment decisions, and the latest thinking on complementary therapies. This report will provide you with the information you need to understand the current controversies, avoid common pitfalls, and work with your doctor to make informed choices about your prostate health.
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Home Remedies For Enlarged Prostate
If you are not fully rested when you get up in the morning because you made 3, 4 or more trips to the bathroom during the night, it is probably time to consider that you have a problem. A major sign of prostatitis or enlarged prostate is frequent urination. You can get control over the issue by making use of one or several of our 15 home remedies for enlarged prostate and get back to enjoying a restful nights sleep.
Keep in mind that an enlarged prostate could be an indicator of a more serious condition and these remedies are not all-inclusive cures. You should consult a health care professional if the condition persists for proper advice and treatment.
Causes Of Benign Prostate Enlargement
The exact cause of benign prostate enlargement is unknown, but research suggests that hormones probably play an important role in the condition’s development.
Hormones are powerful chemicals that can have a wide range of effects on the cells of the body.
One theory is that as some men get older, the levels of a type of hormone called dihydrotestosterone increases, which may stimulate the growth of the prostate.
Another theory suggests that two hormones, testosterone and oestrogen, play a role. Younger men produce high levels of testosterone and much smaller levels of oestrogen. But as men get older, their levels of testosterone decrease, which means they then have a higher proportion of oestrogen in their body. It’s been suggested that the relative increase in oestrogen may stimulate prostate growth.
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What Are The Causes Of Prostatic Enlargement
Prostatic enlargement is considered a normal consequence of aging. About 80% of men in their nineties have an enlarged prostate.
However, the specific underlying causes for prostate enlargement or BPH are not yet identified. yet, its associated with various factors such as:
Recent studies have shown that the increase in the bodys susceptibility and readiness to the genetic pathological mutations in these cells that lead first to benign enlargement and then cancer due to the high rate of environmental and food contamination.
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 you’re young makes that a near certainty. However, that may be a risk you’re 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 doesn’t 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.
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Why Choose New York Urology Specialists For Treatment Of Enlarged Prostate Problems
- All treatment is performed by a board-certified urologist experienced in treating men with symptoms of frequent urination, urinary urgency, urinary incontinence, and bladder pain using medical therapy, minimally invasive therapies, lasers, and open surgery.
- We are one of the few practices in the region to offer a full range of options for the treatment of urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate in men.
- We offer treatment options for enlarged prostate, overactive bladder, UTI, and urinary incontinence in our office, which avoids the risks, costs, and recovery from general anesthesia.
- Extensive experience: Thousands of men have been treated successfully using medical therapy, surgery, and minimally invasive procedures such as Urolift procedure, Rezum surgery, Botox for overactive bladder, Interstim for frequent urination, and tibial neuromodulation.
- We offer diagnostic testing in our office, which avoids hospital costs.
- Confidential and Understanding Care. We understand that most of our patients desire privacy. We see patients with a variety of urological problems. Your reason for visiting us is entirely confidential.
- We are conveniently located within a 30-60 minute commute to men who are seeking BPH treatment in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Westchester, Long Island, Bronx, and New Jersey.