The prostate gland is a small gland that secrets fluids and provides nourishment to sperms. It is located between the penis and the rectum. benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or benign prostatic obstruction is a medical condition in men in which the prostate gland enlarges. However, this enlargement is not cancerous. The chances of BPH increase with age and causes issues in urination such as an obstruction in the flow of urine. In certain cases, it may cause other serious disorders like kidney ailments, infections of urinary tract, and cancer in the bladder.

Symptoms: Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia vary depending upon the degree of prostate enlargement and worsens as the disease progresses. Common symptoms are problems while urinating, an urgent urge to urinate, presence of urine in the blood, and urinary tract infection. The symptoms of BPH develop because an enlarged prostate blocks the urethra.

Certain risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia are a family history of the disease, more than 40 years of age, lack of physical activity and erectile dysfunction.

Diagnosis: A diagnosis by a medical practitioner will include a detailed questioning of the symptoms and physical examination. These include:

  • Urine test: Urine test is performed to rule out the possibility of urinary tract infections which can cause symptoms similar to BPH.
  • Rectal examination: In this test, a finger is inserted into the rectum to analyze the actual extent of prostate enlargement.
  • Blood test: Blood tests are recommended to diagnose any kidney issues.
  • Presence of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA): PSA is a protein synthesized by the prostate gland. An enlarged prostate causes increased production of PSA which can be detected in the blood. However, higher PSA levels do not necessarily indicate benign prostatic hyperplasia because higher PSA is also observed in other disorders like prostate cancer and certain infections.

Treatments: Several treatment options are available for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The best treatment strategy generally depends upon the age of the patient, the extent of discomfort due to enlargement, the size of the prostate gland, and overall wellbeing of an individual.

Certain prescribed treatments are:

Medications:

(a) Alpha blockers: They are used for men who have a small prostate gland. Alpha-blockers relax the muscle fibers of the prostate gland thus making urination easy for the patient.

  • 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: They inhibit prostate growth by interfering with the hormonal changes. In certain individuals, a combination therapy in prescribed that includes both alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.

Lifestyle changes: You must not hold the urine and empty your bladder before you are planning a long journey.

Fiber-rich diet: Following a fiber-rich diet can prevent constipation and lead to lower pressure on the prostate gland.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a medical condition in which the prostate gland gets enlarged and causes pain and discomfort. The risk of developing BPH increases with age and the enlargement also varies among individuals. Timely diagnosis and treatment can prevent unnecessary discomfort.