What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate gland that can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms.
The prostate surrounds the...
Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate (BPH)
- Frequent or urgent needs to urinate
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak urine stream or a stream that starts and stops
- Nocturia (frequent nighttime urination)
- Pain during ejaculation or urination
- Blood in the urine (in more severe cases)
These symptoms can lead to other medical issues such as
- kidney damage
- bladder damage
- urinary tract infections
Some men can encounter either all of the symptoms or little to none depending on the person, their age, their medical history, and heritage.
Sometimes men with slightly enlarged prostates have more serious symptoms while others only experience extremely minor symptoms or none.
For less significant cases, the symptoms can sometimes gradually improve over time without any treatment.
As stated previously, some of these symptoms can also relate to Prostate Cancer or Prostatitis, and it is crucial to be able to determine the differences right away in case the diagnosis ends up being the latter.
For all of our male patients who are 60 years old or older, we encourage you to visit us if you experience any of these symptoms.
BPH and Prostate Cancer
BPH can easily be confused with either Prostatitis or Prostate Cancer, as all have similar symptoms, therefore it is essential that one seeks medical assistance immediately in order to correctly diagnose them.
The differences between each of them are that one is benign (non-cancerous cells), one is a disease of the prostate caused by bacterial infections, and the last is malignant (cancerous cells), and has the potential of spreading and becoming more life-threatening if left not treated.
While having BPH may be the lesser of the two evils (when compared with Prostate Cancer), it can still cause pain, interrupt someone’s daily life, and cause other infections within the body.
What Causes Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
The prostate goes through two phases in its growth.
In the first phase during puberty, the size of the prostate doubles.
By the age of about 25 years old, the prostate graduates into its second phase of growth, and it’s usually during this phase that men are at higher risk of developing BPH.
As the prostate grows over time, the gland can press against and pinch the urethra causing the bladder wall to get thicker.
If the bladder weakens, it could lose the capability to empty completely.
While the underlying cause of the condition has never been clarified, some men in their mid-40’s or older may be more susceptible to developing a prostate that continues to grow during its second phase, leading to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by the time they reach their 60s.
How Is BPH Diagnosed?
Medical practitioners and health care providers can normally determine between BPH, Prostate Cancer, or Prostatitis by looking at a few simple things:
A Physical Exam – examining a patient’s body and checking for urethra discharge, a swollen scrotum, or enlarged lymph nodes in the groin. A digital rectal scan may also be performed.
Medical Tests – One may be referred to a urologist to perform medical tests in order to detect lower urinary tract issues. These tests may come in handy if the patient has not endured any symptoms and can only be diagnosed through these means. Some of these tests include:
- Urinalysis
- A Prostate-Specific Antigen blood test (PSA)
- Urodynamic Tests
- Cystoscopy
- Biopsy
- Transrectal Ultrasound
Personal & Family Medical Care – Practitioners often are interested in a patient’s medical background and family history to see if the condition has any underlying or hereditary causes. Some medications can have long-term side effects that could cause this condition to develop. Other times, if a family member or a descendant of the patient has experienced BPH, it is likely that the patient’s condition was inherited.
Enlarged Prostate? Contact us today!
If you have experienced any of the symptoms listed above, been diagnosed by a practitioner or doctor, or have any family history of BPH, it is best to seek medical attention right away.
Here at LifeWorks Wellness Center, we treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with some of the top holistic programs and treatments in the United States.
To schedule an exam or annual appointment, please call 727-466-6789 or submit an online inquiry.
Our office is located in Clearwater, Florida at 301 Turner Street.
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