Reports show that most of the
older Indian men are suffering from Benign Prostate Enlargement(BPE) or Benign
Prostate Hyperplasis(BPH). This condition of
enlargement of the prostate gland in men, is not a life threatening
condition when detected at an early stage.
The ailment can get easily treated with life style
changes, medications and surgical procedures, such as, TURP. However, delayed
diagnosis and treatment can make the simple ailment turn serious leading to
cancers.
What are the factors leading to
BPH or BPE?
Pin pointing reasons causing prostate
enlargement or BPH/BPE is not possible. There is no fixed causative reason that
can lead to the condition; however, hormonal changes in elderly men are taken
to be one of the important reasons leading to this health condition.
Some studies say that an
increase level of DHT leads to growth of prostate gland and hence the unwanted
enlargement. DHT, dihydro testosterone one is a hormone that has increased secretion
with age. Thus, higher levels of DHT leads to abnormal growth of prostate gland
leading to BPH.
Again, some researchers suggest
that increased level of oestrogen in men may lead to a similar condition.
Younger males produce more of testosterone and small amounts of oestrogen.
However, with age, testosterone production decreases while oestrogen levels
increase. A level of oestrogen beyond permissible levels leads to multiple
health disorders, one being the BPH.
Males already suffering from
High blood pressure and diabetes remain prone to BPH and therefore frequent
screenings are mandatory.
What are your treatment options
of BPH?
Treating BPH depends on the
severity of symptoms. Therefore, a thorough diagnosis is vital to decide if you
require a TURP surgery or medications will resolve the condition.
Diagnosis usually involves
discussing symptoms with your doctor. Your doctor will want to know about your
urination frequency and if any pain is accompanied. Physical examinations,
blood tests and urine tests may also be conducted.
Based on the reports and
examinations, your doctor decides the treatment option. Medications are
prescribed to restore hormonal balance that has changed. Some life style
changes are also required to adopt to bring about quick and desired solutions.
If all of these measures fail to
cure the ailment, TURP surgery is the most effective solution for BPH.
TURP Surgery – In Brief:
·
TURP – Transurethral Resection of the Prostate involves
electro-surgical removal of the abnormal prostate growth
·
The procedure involves insertion of resectoscope into the
urethra that transports urine from bladder to reach the penis
·
The entire process takes place under general anesthesia and
therefore you do not feel the pain. Spinal anesthesia can also be used that
does not drives you to sleep and only numbs the lower segment of your body.
·
The resectoscope removes extra tissue attached to prostate
after being heated with electric current
·
Thereafter, a catheter will be inserted to urethra to remove
urine and clear the bladder. This catheter remains connected for several hours
post surgery.
How To Take Care Post TURP Operation?
Patients who undergo TURP need
to pass a night or two in the hospital until they are fit enough to remove the
catheter. Once the catheter is removed, patients slowly start with normal diet.
Walking is important to ensure quick recovery. However, this should always be
done under your doctor's supervision.
Breathing exercises and coughing
methods are taught that needs to be practiced for several days or even months
after surgery.
Can You Prevent Prostate
Enlargement?
One of the most annoying
problems associated with prostate enlargement is frequent urination; so much
that you need to wake up at night leading to disturbed sleep
This problem can be prevented if
you skip drinking excess much water just before you prepare to fall asleep.
Apart from this, no other solution precisely exists
A diet rich in vitamins and
minerals is said to prevent this problem. Seasame seeds, Tofu, Tomatoes, Bell
pepper etc are said to be effective with prostate gland problems
Walking and some form of good
physical exercises are essential for a healthy life and can equally prove
beneficial for prostate gland enlargement issues
Finally, abstaining from
alcohol, caffeine and smoke is highly recommended to ensure control of prostate
gland enlargement
This was all about Benign
Prostate Enlargement and how it can get treated. Following a healthy life style
involving good nutritious diet, exercises and sleep are vital for healthy
living. Opting for regular health checkups and taking essential steps are
equally important. Similar to any other disease, prostate enlargement can even
be treated at an early stage with simple medications if diagnosed at early
stage. However still, if early treatment was not possible to opt and you will
now have to undergo a TURP surgery, hopefully it will not be very difficult as
you have gone through the entire post now!
About the Author -
Pousali is a contributor of medifee.com. She is an ardent believer of
the ‘learning, unlearning and relearning’ process. And also likes to gain
knowledge of different concepts like Diabetes, cancer, women's diseases,
fitness. She likes to spend time improving her culinary skills, singing and
travelling, which is just another way of knowing the unknown.
