Written By: Satata Karmakar | Updated : December 1, 2024 9:01 AM IST
Medically Verified By: Dr Rohit Joshi, Chairman & Chief Urologist, Aarna Group of Superspeciality Hospitals, Ahmedabad.
Frequent Urination At Night And 5 Other Warning Signs of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia You Should Never Ignore
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate gland is a common condition affecting men worldwide. About half of the men in the age group of 51-60 suffer from BPH, and the prevalence rises to 80% among men aged 70 and older. In BPH, the prostate grows in size which leads to reducing or blocking urine flow from the bladder.
While age is the primary risk factor for developing BPH, most men suffer from this condition at some point in their lives. Although BPH is benign (non-cancerous), its symptoms can be similar to those of prostate cancer. If not treated in time, it can lead to serious complications.
The most common symptoms of BPH include:
Men who are 40 or older, have a family history of BPH, heart disease, obesity or are suffering from diabetes are more likely to be diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. As men age, the prostate naturally enlarges, but treatment is not required in all cases. However, complications such as retention of urine, urinary tract infections or bladder stones might require immediate consultation with a healthcare expert.
There are various treatment options available to treat BPH including lifestyle modifications, medications, or therapies depending on the severity and other complications.
Lifestyle changes like less intake of water or fluid before bed, avoiding the intake of caffeine or alcohol that can increase the urge to pee, urination or bladder training to manage the urgency can help in reducing the symptoms. Medications on the other hand can help in relaxing the bladder muscles or assist in improving the urine flow in the early stages of BPH.
While lifestyle modifications and medications can help to ease the symptoms or provide relief in the early stage of BPH, therapy or surgery become necessary for patients with severe complications. One of the latest and safest treatments for BPH is water vapour therapy. The therapy uses water vapours to treat the prostate. = Water vapor therapy has demonstrated durability with 5-year clinical data providing high and durable symptomatic relief alongside flow rate improvements with low surgical retreatment rates and no effects on sexual function.
It's important to identify the symptoms of BPH to avoid any severe complications. There are several ways to manage and treat BPH symptoms and provide relief. With BPH symptoms can be quite challenging for men, timely intervention and consultation from a healthcare expert can help in deciding the best treatment option.
Issued in public interest and for educational purposes only. The content of this article is not meant to provide medical or clinical advice. Please consult your doctor for more information.
