Enlarged Prostate Gland Information

The prostate gland is a male reproductive organ located below the bladder, in front of the rectum and surrounding the urethra. The urethra is the tube where urine flows through from the bladder. An enlarged prostate gland can cause pressure on the urethra, resulting in urination difficulties. The medical term for enlarged prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include difficulty starting your flow of urine and a weak stream, frequent stopping and starting during urination, dribbling at the end of your urine flow, straining, a frequent and urgent need to urinate, failure to empty your bladder completely, urinary tract infections and blood in your urine.

Causes

• By the time a man is 25 years old, his prostate is about the size of a walnut and is completely developed. Although doctors are not certain what causes enlargement, it is believed that hormone changes in men may prompt its growth. It usually occurs in older men. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, it may also be caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a substance that comes from testosterone. Although men produce less testosterone as they get older, they continue to accumulate DHT, which may promote cell growth.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis may be made by information about your symptoms, a digital rectal exam and a urine test. Other tests which may be used to confirm an enlarged prostate include transrectal ultrasound (an ultrasound probe is inserted into your rectum), urodynamic pressure-flow studies (while you are urinating a measurement is taken of your bladder pressure and function), cystoscopy (a thin tube with a lighted lens is placed into your urethra) and intravenous pyelogram or CT urogram (X-rays with a contrast dye).

Complications

• Complications may result from an enlarged prostate. Acute urinary retention is a painful condition where you are suddenly unable to urinate. It may require a catheter to empty your bladder. Frequent urinary tract infections may occur and surgery may be necessary in order to prevent them. Bladder stones are small mineral masses that form in your bladder and cause irritation, infections, bloody urine and may obstruct your flow of urine. The wall of your bladder may weaken due to repeated failure to completely empty the bladder. Hydronephrosis is a condition of swelling in your kidneys because of urine that is not being drained.

Treatment

• Treatment may involve medications such as alpha blockers (Hytrin, Floxmax, Uroxatral and Cardura), enzyme inhibitors (Proscar and Avodart) or a combination of these drugs. Microwave therapy is a procedure that uses heat to eliminate the inner part of your enlarged prostate. Transurethral needle ablation is radio waves to remove the part that is blocking your flow of urine. Interstitial laser therapy eradicates prostate tissue that is overgrown.

Surgery

• Surgery may be an option if symptoms are severe or if complications are involved. There are several types of surgery include transurethral resection, where excess prostate is removed; transurethral incision, where small incisions are made in the prostate; laser surgery, where enlarged tissue is destroyed; and open prostatectomy, where the surgeon removes the inner part of your prostate.

Lifestyle Changes

• You can make changes that may help relieve your symptoms of an enlarged prostate and to keep if from becoming worse. Limit evening beverages, caffeine, alcohol, diuretics, antihistamines and decongestants. Go to the bathroom as soon as you have the urge to urinate and schedule your visits at regular intervals. You should also stay active and keep warm. Lack of exercise and cold may cause urine retention.