Benign hypertrophy of prostate is a condition in which there is enlargement of prostate gland as men get older which is a part of ageing. But it becomes a problem when the enlarged prostate start to show symptoms. The prostate surrounds a part of urethra in males which carries urine and semen to penis. When the prostate is enlarged it compresses the urethra thus causing blockage to the flow of urine. BHP is a benign condition thus it is not related to or cause cancer but both conditions can occur together as well.

RISK FACTORS

  • AGE: BHP is rarely seen in men before their 40s. Thus the enlarged prostate show symptoms usually after 60 years of age.
  • FAMILY HISTORY: Having family history of BHP makes you more prone to have the condition.
  • DIABETES: also increases the predisposition to enlargement of prostate.
  • HEART DISEASES: also increases chances to have BHP.
  • OBESITY: in obese there are chances that you might end up having the symptoms of BHP.
  • LACK OF EXERCISE: if you would exercise regularly chances of having BHP is less. 

COMPLICATIONS:

  • SUDDEN RETENTION OF URINE: in some cases there is sudden retention of urine due to inability to pass urine thus causing great discomfort. In such cases there is need to insert catheter to empty bladder. Sometimes even surgery is required to empty bladder.
  • URINARY TRACT INFECTION: due to retention of urine there are increased chances of developing UTI.
  • BLADDER STONES: due to inability to empty bladder there are chances of stones in bladder due to formation of concretions caused by concentration of urine.
  • BLADDER WEAKNESS: due to retention of urine frequently the bladder muscles become weak and thus lose the ability to contract over time.
  • DAMAGE TO KIDNEYS: full bladder causes back flow of urine to the kidneys and can also lead to migration of infection to the kidneys which would cause damage to the kidneys.

SYMPTOMS & CAUSES

SYMPTOMS

  •  frequent urination
  • Urgency to urinate
  • Increased urge to urinate especially at night.
  • Weak and feeble stream of urine.
  • Inability to empty bladder thus causing unsatisfactory feeling
  • Dribbling of urine at beginning and end of urination.
  • Urinary tract infection causing burning micturition, pain in lower abdomen etc.
  • Sometimes the patient if not able to pass urine at all thus causing retention of urine.Occasionally blood is also seen in urine.

CAUSES

The exact cause of enlargement of prostate is not known but it is seen that it is an age related process so hormones are thought to play role in BHP

.DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT

DIAGNOSIS

RECTAL EXAMINATION: an enlarged prostate can be felt during a rectal examination.

BLOOD TEST FOR PSA ( Prostate specific antigen): Prostate produces PSA thus enlarged prostate would cause increase in levels of PSA but surgical procedures, infection and prostate cancer may also increase PSA levels.

URINE FLOW TEST: the measurement of the amount and stream of urine also helps in diagnosis of BHP.

POSTVOID RESIDUAL VOLUME TEST: this measures the amount of urine left in bladder after urination thus checks the ability to empty bladder.

24 HOUR URINE CHART: a 24 hour charting of urination helps in keeping track of frequency, amount, stream and time of urination. If it is mostly at night then it suggests for prostate enlargement.

TRANSRECTAL ULTRASOUND: would help in visualisation of prostate size.

PROSTATE BIOPSY: is done to rule out cancer.

CYSTOSCOPY: helps in visualisation of the prostate.

TREATMENT

  • Conventional treatment includes conservative treatment for the symptoms of enlarged prostate and in cases having much problems invasive surgical procedures are used.
  • MANAGEMENT
  • Here are few tips to manage symptoms of BHP:
  • LIMIT CAFFEINE AND ALCOHOL: as they act as irritant to the bladder thus make the symptoms worse and increase urine production as well.
  • LIMIT LIQUID INTAKE EVENING ONWARDS: as this would help in decreasing the urine output at night thus you would not be compelled to go to toilet frequently at night.
  • LIMIT CERTAIN DRUGS: which contain antihistamines and decongestants as they will make the muscles of urethra tight thus making urination more tough.
  • REGULARISE THE TIME OF URINATION: schedule the time of urination as particular intervals like 4-6 hours so that bladder can be retrained to pass urine.
  • DON’T WAIT MUCH: pass urine when you first feel the urge as retention would cause it more difficult to pass urine.
  • REGULAR EXERCISE: would keep you fit thus avoiding obesity as it inactive lifestyle would predispose to enlargement of prostate.
  • DIET: would avoid obesity.
  • DOUBLE VOIDING: urinate again after few minutes of urinating, it would help in keeping the urges low.
  • TEMPERATURE: in cold temperature there are increased symptoms of prostate, thus keep yourself warm.

HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

Homeopathy can take care of BHP very well just with medicines. The medicines would help in decrease in size of prostate thus would eventually control the symptoms of BHP without any need of surgery. Homeopathic system is quite effective in taking care of almost every chronic disease. Consult a good homeopath for your issue of prostate.

DO’S AND DON’TS

DO’S

  • Maintain a 24 hour urine chart.
  • Schedule your time of urination to retrain your bladder.
  • Take healthy diet.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Do practice of double voiding as it would help in taking care of frequent urge.
  • Keep yourself warm in winters.
  • Don’t delay the urge, urinate as soon as possible as retention would cause more problem.

DON’TS

  • Don’t take much liquid after evening.
  • Don’t take caffeine.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • Don’t take alcohol.
  • Don’t take antihistamines and decongestants.