Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

March 4, 2021Articles

Enlargement of the prostate is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It occurs when the cells of the prostate gland begin to multiply. The prostate is a small, muscular gland in the male reproductive system.

Prostate surrounds urethra and makes most of the fluid in semen. The muscular action of the prostate helps propel the fluid and semen through penis dining sexual climax.
These additional cells cause your prostate gland to swell, which squeezes the urethra and limits the flow of urine. Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)is not the same as prostate cancer and doesn’t increase the risk of cancer. However, it can cause symptoms that can affect your quality of life. BPH is common in men older than 50 years.
Symptoms –

The severity of symptoms in people who have prostate gland enlargement varies, but symptoms tend to gradually worsen over time. Common sign and symptoms of BPH include –
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
• Difficulty starting urination
• Increased frequency of urination at night
• Weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts
• Dribbling at the end of urination
• Inability to completely empty the bladder
Less common signs and symptoms include-
• Urinary tract infection
• Inability to urinate
• Blood in the urine
The size of the prostate does not necessarily determine the severity of your symptoms. Some men with only slightly enlarged prostates can have significant symptoms, while other men with very enlarged prostates can have only minor urinary symptoms.
In some men, symptoms eventually stabilize and might even improve over time.
Causes-

BPH is considered a normal condition of male aging, and many men older than 80 years have BPH symptoms. Although the exact cause is unknown, changes in male sex hormones that come with aging may be a factor. Any family history of prostate problems or any abnormalities with testicles may raise risk of BPH. Men who have had their testicles removed at a young age don’t develop BPH.
Complications –
• Sudden inability to urinate (Urinary retention)
• Urinary tract infections
• Bladder stones
• Bladder damage
• Kidney damage
Diagnosis-
The initial exam is likely to include-
• Digital rectal exam
• Urine test
• Blood test
• Prostate- specific antigen(PSA) blood test
Additional tests to help confirm an enlarged prostate and to rule outother conditions are –
• Urinary flow test
• Postvoid residual volume test
• 24-hour voiding diary
In more complex condition, following testing is recommended-
• Transrectal ultrasound
• Prostate biopsy
• Cystoscopy
• Intravenous pyelography or urography
Treatment –
Treatment of BPH can begin with self-care. If symptoms don’t subside through self care, medication or surgery may be recommended.
BPH natural treatment-
Natural treatment can include specific actions or lifestyle changes which are as follows –
• urinate as soon as you feel the urge
• avoid over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamine medication
• avoid alcohol and caffeine, especially in the hours after dinner
• exercise regularly
• learn and practice kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic muscles
• reduce your stress level, as nervousness can increase the frequency of urination
BPH drugs –
when lifestyle changes are not enough then following medications may help to relieve the symptoms –
• Alpha-1 blockers Such as doxazosin, terazosin, tamsulosin
• Hormone reduction medications such as dutasteride and finasteride
• Antibiotics
Surgery for BPH-
There are different types of surgical procedures that can help treet BPH when medications are not effective. Some of them procedures can be done in OPD’s whereas some procedures are more invasive and need to be done in a hospital.
Ayurvedic Perspective-
Ayurveda describes two conditions known as mutrakrichra & mutraghata ,which can be correlated with prostate enlargement.
Beneficial Herbs-
• Punarnava –