Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate is a common condition for men over 50. It occurs when the prostate glands invariably enlarge in size, which leads to complications and problems. This is why it’s necessary to seek medical attention and undergo screening should there be any symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of BPH
Common signs and symptoms of BPH include the following:
- Blood in the urine
- Leakage of urine
- Painful urination
- Weak urine stream
- Difficulty starting urination
- Urinary tract infection
- Increased frequency of urination, especially during the night
The condition where you’ll feel the need to urinate frequently at night is called nocturia. This happens as the enlarged prostate gland increases the pressure on the urethra and bladder; hence, unable to control and hold in your urine.
An enlarged prostate can likewise make urination difficult as it blocks the flow of urine from the bladder. If you experience difficulty passing urine for more than 24 to 48 hours, it’s best to see an enlarged prostate doctor in Singapore.
While some signs and symptoms are not bothersome and do not require treatment, it is still better to talk with a doctor if these symptoms are affecting your overall health and quality of life. Remember that getting early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications later on.
Treatments for Enlarged Prostate
Fortunately, there are various treatments available for enlarged prostate in Singapore, including medication, therapies, and surgeries. The choice of treatment will depend on the patient’s symptoms, age, the size of the prostate, overall health, and the amount of pain or discomfort. What’s best for 50-year-old men might not be suitable for 60-year-old patients.
For mild symptoms, your doctor will likely advise you to take medications first. These may include alpha blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and combination drug therapy.
On the other hand, minimally invasive or surgical therapy is the best choice if you have moderate to severe symptoms and medications are not effective in relieving mild symptoms. Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the most commonly used surgical treatment for enlarged prostate in Singapore. This procedure involves the insertion of an endoscope through the urethra into the prostate. The prostate is then cut piece by piece.
When discussing the treatment options with your doctor, don’t hesitate to share what you are experiencing and ask questions if there’s something you’d want to clarify, especially about the symptoms that have been bothering you. You may also want to learn the risks associated with the condition and treatment. After getting TURP surgery, one may experience bleeding from the cut surfaces of the prostate gland. And this risk may cause clot retention of the bladder.
Takeaway
While there’s no absolute prevention and perfect treatment for BPH, there’s one sure way to help you lower your risk of having an enlarged prostate – and that is to practice healthy habits. Maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, eat vegetables and fruits, observe a low-fat diet, avoid sugar-sweetened drinks, and quit smoking. Always keep healthy and stay physically fit.