BPH – also known as enlarged prostate gland (benign prostatic hypertrophy or prostate adenoma – is a common condition among older men. Enlargement of the prostate gland can cause symptoms of urinary discomfort, such as blockage (obstruction) of urinary flow from the bladder, but also bladder problems, urinary tract problems or kidney problems.
There are a number of treatments – from drugs to minimally invasive treatments or surgery. To determine the best BPH treatment option in your case, your doctor will look at your symptoms, the size of your prostate and any other conditions you may have.
Symptoms
The severity of symptoms varies; in some of the cases, they gradually get worse, over time. Common symptoms:
-Frequent and urgent need to urinate
-Increased frequency of urination during the night
-Difficulty in starting to urinate
-Poor or intermittent urinary flow
-Inability to completely empty the bladder
Uncommon signs and symptoms may be:
-Repeated urinary tract infections
-Inability to urinate
-The presence of blood in the urine
We should not put an equal between the severity of the symptoms and the size of the prostate. Some men, with a relatively enlarged prostate, may have significant symptoms, while others, with a much enlarged prostate, may have only minor urinary symptoms. In some men, the symptoms eventually stabilize and may even improve over time.
