Enlarged Prostate and What You Need to Know - Gousse Urology

Enlarged Prostate and What You Need to Know

Urination should be a simple and easy thing to do. However, it can become burdensome for older men if they develop an enlarged prostate. It is not difficult to recognize the signs of an enlarged prostate either. The early warning signs could include incontinence, random urges to urinate, wear urination, painful urination, dribbling urination and the urge to urinate more than four times per day.

Only a licensed healthcare provider can give you an official diagnosis of an enlarged prostate. But if you experience any of these symptoms, then you’ll know something is wrong with your urinary system. Never procrastinate to get an examination because you’ll only prolong the inevitable.

Enlarged prostates are not something that goes away. The best thing you can do is seek treatment to reduce the symptoms. That is why it is essential to seek treatment before the prostate grows and becomes more painful and uncomfortable. A urologist is trained to lessen the severity of these types of enlarged prostate symptoms so that you can live a better quality of life again. No one should have to tolerate urinary problems for any longer than necessary.

Several diagnostic tests exist for detecting an enlarged prostate, such as a digital rectal exam, urodynamic tests, urinalysis, cystoscopy, and PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood tests. The urologist decides which diagnostic test is appropriate based on the patient’s current symptoms and health status.

The diagnostic test could reveal that the enlarged prostate was caused by prostatitis, prostate cancer, or benign prostatic hypertrophy. Prostate cancer would be the worst of the three possible causes of an enlarged prostate. Do not confuse an enlarged prostate with prostate cancer because they are two different things.

An enlarged prostate does not cause someone to get prostate cancer. However, prostate cancer can cause someone to get an enlarged prostate. It is essential to understand the distinction between the two. The symptoms of both are the same because you could experience things like erectile dysfunction, painful urination, urinating difficulties, bloody urination, bloody semen, etc.

Prostatitis is a term referring to prostate gland inflammation. A normal prostate is the size of a walnut. But when it is inflamed, it could grow bigger and cause urination to become difficult and painful. Benign prostatic hypertrophy is another condition that causes an enlarged prostate. The difference is that bacterial infections cause prostatitis, while hormonal changes and cellular proliferation could cause benign prostatic hypertrophy.

The noninvasive treatment options are laser vaporization, laser therapy, transurethral needle ablation, and transurethral microwave therapy. They should help you get a better night’s sleep and perform your everyday activities again without disruption. Your urologist may prescribe you medication afterwards to ensure the symptoms are reduced.

The worst cases of an enlarged prostate will require surgery. The four primary surgical procedures for severe prostate growth are laser surgery, open prostatectomy, transurethral resection and transurethral incision. If your urologist recommends one of these surgeries, it means that all the noninvasive treatment options are insufficient for reducing your symptoms. 

Lessons to Remember

Men over 40 should get tested for an enlarged prostate. The risk level begins to rise after men reach that critical age number. Several age-related factors cause cellular modifications in the testicles and reduced testosterone levels.

Do you notice low energy and a low sex drive? If so, those problems could be linked to low testosterone production in the body. Work on increasing your testosterone levels through a steady diet and exercise regimen. It could potentially be a natural way to reduce your risk of getting an enlarged prostate.

In any case, make sure you consult with a licensed urologist every step of the way. They can give you prevention tips so that you’ll never have to experience the worst conditions associated with an enlarged prostate.