What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

It is an enlargement of the prostate gland and causes the difficulty in urination. In short form it is known as a BPH. It is not a cancer but the symptoms are same.

Causes of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

The cause of BPH is unknown .Some hormonal changes may be the cause of Benign Prostatic hyperplasia. It mostly occurs as a men age. The testes make the hormone named "testosterone". It is converted to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and estrogen (estradiol) .Excess level of dihydrotestosterone, a testosterone derivative is responsible in prostate growth, which may accumulate and results hyperplasia. This is still the subject of research that how and why the level of DHT increases.

Signs and Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Common symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia are given below -
1) bleeded urine
2) Feeling that after urination the bladder has not fully emptied.
3) Dribbling after voiding
4) interrupted, Hesitant, or weak urine stream caused
5) leakage of urine
6) Urgent need to urinate
7) Pushing or straining to begin urination
8) Frequent urination mainly in the night

In sever case of BPH the main symptom is acute urinary retention that is the inability to urinate.

Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

There are several treatment method that depends on the symptoms of BPH - Medical Treatment -Medical treatment include a DRA, PSA tests and urinary flow rate. Medication is also very helpful. 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors (dutasteride and finasteride) may prevent the conversion of testosterone to the dihydrotestosterone. These drugs have to be taken orally once a day .The treatment period may be increases for six month. Alpha blockers are helpful to increase the urinary flow. Alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, tamsulosin hydrochloride, terazosin are some alpha blockers which are mostly prescribed by the doctor.

Minimally invasive treatments (thermotherapy) - To reduce or eliminate symptoms minimally invasive BPH treatments include some state of the art tools and technologies. The advantages of minimally invasive treatments are given below -

1) faster recovery.
2) Lower costs.
3) Mild sedative and local anesthesia.
4) Less pain.

Surgical treatments - In surgical treatment contains the removal of enlarged part of the prostate. It is recommended in the severe condition of the BPH such as stones in the bladder, urinary infection, kidney damage, bleeding through the urethra or inability to urinate.

Alternative treatments - The main goal of treatment is to reduce the growth of excessive cell growth. Alternative treatment includes the

1) Herbal remedies
2) Supplements
3) Hydrotherapy
4) Nutrition

Prevention

There is no prevention method for BPH although some people believe that regular ejaculations will help in BPH, But there is no scientific proof that it will helpful.