Prostatic diseases are common among ageing men causing significant morbidity. The prostate problem can be led due to the current circumstances like ageing, weather change, travel or business-related stress, the water of different places, etc. However, due to the sedentary lifestyle and an increase in age. As men get older, the quality of life gets hampered as the prostate gland enlargement, can be caused due to “lower urinary tract symptoms”. Research data from India show that almost 65% of men aged 40 years and above suffered from these annoying symptoms as per research data from India. Then why most of these patients are ‘unseen’?
Unawareness of prostate symptoms
- “Most of the patient approaches late for the treatment. Usually, the patient avoids talking about the diseases or leave it as an inevitable consequence of ageing or attribute it solely to external factors like cold weather and their drinking too much water. They continue to suffer, avoiding their symptoms in silence and develop self-explanatory strategies to cope with their pain until they markedly worsen, and complications develop. The quality of life gets hampered due to lower urinary tract symptoms”, says Dr Manish Ahuja, Consultant Urologist, Fortis Hospital, Mohali.
- Due to the unawareness of symptoms, such patient starts restricting water and another fluid intake. They become too conscious of their urination, like, urinating before going on long trips outdoors, being on the look-out of toilet location, avoid long-distance journey.
Men with enlarged prostates
Some males with slightly enlarged prostates can have vital signs, while other men with enlarged prostates can have minor urinary symptoms. It's important to note that the size of the prostate doesn't necessarily determine the severity of your symptoms. If it is left untreated, the urinary problems might lead to obstruction of the urinary tract, and it can affect prostate health. Hence it is suggested to confer your doctor and not to be shy from the issue. Your doctor can help you with the best care based on your age, health, and condition that affects you. The symptoms of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) are like those produced by more lethal diseases, such as prostate cancer.
Also read: Symptoms of Prostate Cancer All Men Should Know
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
A mixture makes the diagnosis of BPH of physical, radiographic examinations and a few laboratory tests. Physical examination includes digital rectal examination (DRE), which involves a physical inspection of the prostate by an expert Urologist. Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound is used to measure the size of the prostate gland. Lab tests include Prostate-specific antigen. When the prostate is healthy, a minor prostate-specific antigen is found in the blood.
Conclusion
BPH management involves medications like Alpha-blockers, most commonly tamsulosin. IPSS (International Prostate symptom Score) help in understating the symptoms of BPH. A combination treatment is offered If symptoms are not controlled as suggested by doctors. The last step is the surgical removal of prostatic tissue if symptoms are not able to manage medication. Since alpha-blockers are chronic treatments; there are different molecules available with sexually active patients, alpha-blockers for comorbid patients and the general population. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia symptoms are usually neglected until they become very bothersome, which should not be the case.
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