The enlargement of the prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a urological condition that affects men. In fact, more than half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 experience enlarged prostate symptoms, and it’s even more common in men over 70. Aging, diseases like diabetes, and family history are all risk factors.
The good news is that prostate enlargement is not cancer, and it does not appear to be a risk factor for developing cancer. As your prostate grows, it may begin to press against your urethra, causing it to become painful. You may experience unpleasant symptoms such as the following:
- Frequent urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Weak or slow urine flow
- Feeling that your bladder isn’t empty
- Painful or difficult urination
- Increased nighttime bathroom visits disrupting sleep
Assessment of the symptoms is done using the International Prostate Symptom Score. (Digital Copy available here.) The symptoms are scored according to the severity and will be evaluated by your urologist. Other tests about the prostate would include your ultrasound of the kidneys, ureter, bladder, and prostate including the pre- and post-void volumes of the bladder. Serum Prostate Specific Antigen is also requested as part of the screening process. Some of the symptoms are also related to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) so, urinalysis is included also in the regimen.
There are many ways to treat an enlarged prostate. It may be through medical treatment using alpha blockers or 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors. When medical treatment fails, different surgical intervention maybe applied.
Urologists from the Philippines are well equipped in offering you different treatments and ways to diagnose your enlarged prostate. All you have to do is to look for a trusted urologist and book your appointment.
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