Definition:
Prostate enlargement happens to almost all men as the age. When the prostate gland grows bigger, it can press on the urethra and cause urination and bladder problems. Prostate gland enlargement is also known for the medical term benign prostate hyperplasia.
Diagnosis:
Tests to confirm the diagnosis of an enlarged prostate include transurectal ultrasound (TRUS), urodynamic pressure-flow studies, cytoscopy, and intravenous pyelogram or CT urogram. Another is the enzyme inhibitors or the 5 alpha reductase, which shrinks the prostate gland. In some cases, it is more effective to utilize combination drug therapy.
There are also the so-called minimally invasive treatments namely microwave therapy, transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), and interstitial laser therapy (ILT).
Surgical procedures include transurectal resection of the prostate (TURP), transurectal incision of the prostate (TUIP), laser surgery, and open prostatectomy.
Treatment:
There is a wide variety of treatment for the condition since it is dependent on the signs and symptoms experienced by the affected individual. Most of the common methods of controlling moderate symptoms of prostate enlargement include the use of alpha blockers since they can relax the muscles around he bladder and make it easier to urinate.
Symptoms and Signs:
The severity of prostate enlargement varies among men and does not always pose a problem. About fifty percent of men who have the condition do not experience noticeable signs and symptoms.
Among the signs and symptoms of the condition are weak urine systems, difficulty, or trouble in urination, blood in the urine, and urinary tract infection.
Causes:
Doctors are still not certain about the cause of prostate enlargement. It is thought though that with age, changes in the ratio of the male hormone levels stimulate the prostate to grow. There is also another theory stating that the prostate gland become more sensitive or responsive to normal levels of male hormone and grows more rapidly with aging.
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