The human body is a fascinating machine. There are several parts that work in perfect harmony to help us stay alive and kicking. Some body parts change with age and take on various roles during our lifetimes. Some of these functions are essential while some changes are just a side effect of ageing. One of these essential body parts is the prostate. While the prostate helps in propelling the fluid and semen through the penis during a climax, it inevitably ages by getting enlarged. This enlargement is the source of a lot of conditions which may be benign or malignant and one of them is Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
What is BPH?
As mentioned, the BPH is enlargement of the prostate. The growth puts pressure on the urethra limiting the free flow of urine. It is important to note that BPH is not the same as prostate cancer and does not increase your chance of having cancer. It is more common in men over the age of fifty.
Causes of BPH
Aside from the natural growth of the prostate gland, male hormones are said to be associated with the enlargement of the gland. The risk of BPH increases if you have a family history or you have any abnormalities in any parts of your reproductive system.
Most Common Symptoms of BPH
Following are the most common symptoms of BPH:
- Incomplete emptying of bladder or urinary retention
- Nocturia- the condition where in you urinate more than twice at night
- Dribbling at the end of the urinary stream
- Applying pressure or strain while urinating
- A sudden urgent need to urinate
- Urination along with pain
- Blood accompanying the urine
- Urine with unusual color
If you recognize any of these symptoms as your own, you must immediately consult a specialist from a Urology Clinic in West Palm Beach. Gousse Urology, a premier institution in Florida, has unparalleled expertise in treating BPH for the last 25 years.
Diagnosis of BPH
BPH diagnosis is done after one or several tests depending on your situation. Some of them are as follows:
Urinalysis: Test done to check whether you have microbial infections or blood in your urine
Prostatic Biopsy: Prostate tissue is checked for any anomalies
Urodynamic Test: Done to measure the pressure of the bladder during urination.
PSA Test: Checks cancerous cells in your prostate
Post void residual: This tests the amount of urine left in your bladder after urination
Cystoscopy: Urethra and bladder are examined with the help of tiny lighted scope inserted into the urethra
Urography:CT scan done after a dye is injected inside the body. The dye highlights the entire urinary system in the images produced by the CT Scan or the X Ray.
Natural Methods of treating BPH
There are several medical treatments available at a Urology Clinic in West Palm Beach. However, you must also accompany your treatment with a few exercises and natural methods of training the bladder. Some of the actions you can take are:
- Never hold the urine if you have been feeling the urge.
- Avoid taking over the counter medications such as decongestants and antihistamine medications which can make it harder for the bladder to get fully emptied.
- Reduce the consumption of alcohol and caffeine.
- Control the stress levels as they can increase the urge and frequency to urinate
- Practice kegel exercise which involves locating your bulbocavernosus muscle and training it.
- Exercising regularly as lack of exercise is often linked to aggravated symptoms
The article intends to give you an overview of BPH and educate you to follow a healthy lifestyle so as to manage its symptoms. As BPH is a side effect of ageing, it is never permanently cured but lifestyle changes help manage the condition in a graceful manner.