Top Doctors recently caught up with highly regarded consultant urologist, Mr Werner Struss, who, here in this article below, outlines the main symptoms and causes associated with benign prostate enlargement, before going on to tell us how the condition can be treated.
Symptoms can vary between any of the below:
It isn't clear what causes the prostate to get bigger. It might be due to changes in the balance of sex hormones as you grow older. Risk factors that may increase the risk of BPH are age, family history, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and lifestyle.
BPH is not a serious condition. However, the above-mentioned symptoms may negatively impact on your quality of life. An issue that may cause long-term damage to your bladder and kidneys is if you retain higher volumes of residual urine in your bladder after urination. This may also be a source of recurrent urinary tract infection and contribute to the formation of kidney stones.
BPH can be treated medically (i.e. with tablets) that help to improve the outflow of urine and/or help to shrink the prostate in size. Surgery, which is performed via the waterpipe (urethra) under a general or spinal anaesthetic, is another effective treatment option for those suitable for it.
Yes, the symptoms of BPH can mask the presence of potential prostate cancer, and therefore it is very important to ask your GP or urologist to consider you for prostate cancer screening investigations if you are suitable.
Healthy habits such as regular exercise, watching your waistline, eating vegetables and fruits, and keeping an eye on dietary fat may help with BPH. These habits will also lower your risk of erectile dysfunction, diabetes, and heart disease.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with Mr Werner Struss, you can visit his Top Doctors profile today.
