What is an Enlarged Prostate?
The prostate is a gland found in men. It is located right above the urethra, the pipe linking the bladder and the kidneys. The main job that this gland performs is to make fluid for the semen.
The prostate size starts growing when a male reaches puberty. It starts growing again when a man reaches twenty-five years of age and continues to do so for the rest of his life. Problems arise when the prostate grows too much, and at a point it starts putting pressure on the urethra. This pressure can cause the urethra to malfunction.
More than half of men over sixty years of age suffer from an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). If you have been wondering what is the best treatment for enlarged prostate, welcome to the Friends Diaper blog. This blog should help answer all your questions on the symptoms, challenges and around “what is the latest treatment for enlarged prostate”?
What size the prostate should be for treatment?
A prostate with a volume of 30 ml to 40 ml and a weight of 20 g to 70 g is considered small. A medium prostate has a volume of 40 ml to 80 ml and a weight of 20 g to 125g. An abnormally large prostate has a volume of 40ml to 100 ml and a weight of 40 g to 125 g. A prostate abnormal in size can increase by 4 to 5 times compared to its initial size.
What size of prostate requires surgery?
Generally, men with a prostate volume of 80 ml and above are suggested surgical options. You can discuss the best route for your treatment with your doctor.
Treatment for an Enlarged Prostate
Which is the best treatment for prostate cancer? A timely one!
Don’t delay your treatment. Seeking treatment now can make things better for you in the future. An untreated enlarged prostate can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs), acute urinary retention, kidney stones and bladder stones. In some cases, if things have gone really bad you can even suffer kidney damage.
Treatment options for BPH include medications and surgery. Several factors are considered while seeking treatment such as:
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how troublesome your symptoms are
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the size of your prostate gland
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your age and overall health
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any other medical conditions that you might be suffering from
How is an enlarged prostate treated?
There are minimally invasive surgery options when drug therapy isn’t enough for an enlarged prostate treatment. Some of these ways to treat an Enlarged Prostate as follows:
Laser surgery
A laser passed removes prostate tissue by ablation (melting) or enucleation (cutting). The laser melts the enlarged prostate tissue in photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP).
Open simple prostatectomy
Open surgery may be required in complicated cases of a very enlarged prostate, bladder damage, or other problems. In this process, only the portion of the prostate blocking urine flow is removed.
TUMT
In a transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT), microwaves are used to destroy prostate tissue with heat. It will not completely cure BPH, but you will notice some relief in your symptoms.
TUNA
In TUNA or transurethral needle ablation, high-frequency radio waves, are delivered through twin needles. This burns a specific region of the prostate. TUNA can help in better urine flow and relieving BPH symptoms and is considered a better alternative for invasive surgeries.
Surgical choices
Invasive surgery for BPH includes transurethral surgery, which doesn’t require open surgery or an external incision. This usually is the first choice of surgery for BPH. The prostate tissue which obstructs the urethra is removed in this procedure
Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) is another method. During TUIP, the urethra is widened by making cuts and this helps in increasing the urine flow.
Which medications can be used in an enlarged prostate treatment?
Prostatomegaly treatment or the best treatment for an enlarged prostate which shows mild to moderate symptoms is medications.
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Alpha blockers – Helps relax bladder neck muscles and muscle fibers in the prostate, which makes urination easier.
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5-alpha reductase inhibitors - What drug shrinks the prostate? 5-alpha reductase inhibitors medications shrink your prostate by preventing hormonal changes that lead to prostate growth. They might take up to six months to be effective.
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Combination drug therapy - Your doctor might recommend a combination of medications to treat your prostate issues.
Living with an Enlarged Prostate
Not all men need medications or an enlarged prostate surgery. Practicing these things might help deal with symptoms and prove to be an effective mild prostatomegaly treatment:
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Do Kegels exercises or pelvic-strengthening exercises.
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Stay active and moving.
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Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake.
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Space out your liquid intake.
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Urinate whenever you feel the urge and don’t wait.
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Avoid decongestants and antihistamines.
Talk to your doctor about the best treatment route for you.
Related Read - Foods to Avoid with Enlarged Prostate | Best Exercise to Shrink Enlarged Prostate
