When it comes to men’s specialty diseases, the “prostate gland” is considered the organ where the most male-specific diseases occur. There are several diseases that may affect it, such as prostate cancer, which is ranked as the number one deadly cancer in men; prostatitis, which is not very common but can significantly reduce quality of life if it occurs; and the most common disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which every man should be familiar with because over 80% of elderly men cannot escape this condition.
What is benign prostatic hyperplasia? Get to know it to prepare for prevention
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is a condition where the prostate gland enlarges. Normally, a man’s prostate is about the size of a walnut, but in men with BPH, the prostate becomes much larger, pressing against the urethra. This causes difficulty in urination. BPH generally occurs in men aged 60 and above and is considered a common condition among elderly men.
Why do elderly men commonly develop benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Medically, aside from the correlation with age, the exact cause of BPH is not 100% clear. It is believed to be related to abnormal male hormone levels as men age. Therefore, there is no guaranteed way to prevent this disease. The best men can do is to monitor and observe any abnormal symptoms to seek timely treatment. Some cases of BPH may have mild symptoms and can be treated with medication. However, if left untreated and as age increases, the condition may worsen.
How to recognize symptoms that indicate a risk of BPH
Most abnormal symptoms signaling BPH are related to urination and can be observed as follows:
- Prolonged urination, difficulty urinating, weak urine stream, or dribbling
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Waking up frequently at night to urinate
- Pain or discomfort during urination
- In severe cases, blood may be present in the urine
How is benign prostatic hyperplasia treated after diagnosis?
Initially, before treatment, doctors will diagnose the symptoms to choose the most appropriate treatment method. Diagnosis starts with taking medical history, symptom inquiry, prostate examination, and urine flow rate testing. Treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition. Treatment options for BPH include:
- For patients with mild symptoms, doctors may choose not to treat immediately but monitor and follow up regularly.
- For more severe symptoms, doctors may prescribe medication to relax the smooth muscles of the prostate, allowing the urethra to widen and making urination easier without straining.
- In some severe cases, doctors may use a small amount of microwave energy to reduce prostate enlargement.
- For patients with very severe symptoms and significantly enlarged prostate, surgery to remove excess prostate tissue may be considered. Currently, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is commonly used, which is a minimally invasive procedure using instruments inserted through the urethra to remove the excess tissue pressing on the urethra. This method causes less pain, faster recovery, quicker healing, and earlier discharge from the hospital.
Good to know for peace of mind!!
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common condition found in elderly Thai men. Patients do not need to worry about it being a serious disease because it can be cured by various treatments. For those concerned that BPH may lead to prostate cancer, there is currently no medical evidence proving that BPH causes prostate cancer. However, it is very important to monitor any abnormal symptoms during urination. If you experience weak urine flow, difficulty urinating, frequent urination, or pain during urination, you should see a doctor immediately for diagnosis and timely treatment before the condition worsens.
