Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate

It is possible for a man to have an enlarged prostate without any symptoms. It is also possible for a man to have symptoms that suggest an enlarged prostate without any enlargement. A man may not know he has a prostate problem until he stops urinating completely.

This brings us to the most common symptoms of an enlarged prostate which involve changes in urination habits. These symptoms include:

• Having an urgency to urinate or leaking and dribbling

• More frequent urination during the night

• A weakened stream of urine, or interrupted stream

The majority are the result of an obstruction of the urethra and the loss of bladder function.

They can also occur when an over-the-counter decongestant drug has been taken. A side effect of sympathomimetic, the drug used in decongestants may prevent the bladder from relaxing and opening thereby allowing the urine to flow out through the penis. The retention of urine can also be caused by alcohol, cold temperatures and long periods of inactivity.

If symptoms of an enlarged prostate are ignored, the consequences can be the development of more serious medical conditions. Damage to the kidneys and bladder damage as well as urinary tract infections can result from the strain on the bladder and the retention of urine. An enlarged prostate may result in losing control of urination, bladder or kidney stones and may resist subsequent treatment if not diagnosed early.

Diagnosis of an Enlarged Prostate

Diagnosis of an enlarged prostate can be carried out by a routine checkup with your doctor involving different procedures:

• a rectal exam – your doctor can feel the part of the prostate that is positioned next to the rectum.
• a blood test - this will indicate if there is a high level of PSA, a protein made by the prostate gland. A high level of PSA may suggest prostate cancer.
• a rectal ultrasound - sound waves are produced from a probe inserted in the rectum and the prostate gland displayed on a screen. A needle biopsy can be carried out during the ultrasound. The samples picked-up by the can then be examined by the doctor under a microscope.

Surgical Treatment for an Enlarged Prostate

Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia [BPH] may need to undergo surgery which will involve the removal of the enlarged part of the prostate. It is probably the most beneficial long-term solution for many patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. The part of the prostate gland that is pressing against the urethra tube is removed. The remainder of the prostate gland is left intact as well as the outside capsule. The surgical procedures for treating enlarged prostate gland are:

Laser surgery for the treatment of enlarged prostates was approved by the FDA in 1996. Laser surgery uses side-firing lasers to shrink and destroy any prostate tissue that is obstructing the urethra. A cystoscope produces bursts of energy lasting between 30 and 60 seconds. The advantages of using laser surgery are that little blood is lost during this surgical procedure and allows quicker recovery.

If you are experiencing any of the urination symptoms mentioned here you should consult your doctor to have the problem checked-out. In many cases, the symptoms can point to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or enlarged prostate, but sometimes it can mean a more serious medical condition that may need immediate treatment.

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