The enlarged prostate is a very common problem in men over 50 years of age, and can generate, as one of the symptoms, a very weak stream of urine, for example.
In most cases, the enlarged prostate is caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a urologist to have a digital rectal exam and rule out the possibility of cancer, which can also cause an enlarged prostate.
How to identify symptoms
The symptoms of an enlarged prostate are similar to any prostate problem. So, to know your risk, select what you are feeling:
- 1. Difficulty starting to urinate Yes No
- 2. Very weak stream of urine Yes No
- 3. Frequent desire to urinate, even at night Yes No
- 4. Feeling full bladder, even after urinating Yes No
- 5. Presence of urine drops in the underwear Yes No
- 6. Impotence or difficulty maintaining an erection Yes No
- 7. Pain when ejaculating or urinating Yes No
- 8. Presence of blood in the semen Yes No
- 9. Sudden urge to urinate Yes No
- 10. Pain in the testicles or near the anus Yes No
These symptoms usually appear after the age of 50 and happen in almost all cases of an enlarged prostate, because inflammation of the prostate presses on the urethra, which is the channel through which urine passes, making it difficult to pass.
Since the symptoms can also indicate other problems in the prostate, such as prostatitis, for example, it is very important to consult the urologist for tests, such as ultrasound or PSA test, to confirm the diagnosis.
How to confirm the diagnosis
In consultation with the urologist, the complaints presented will be evaluated and the digital rectal examination will be performed. Digital rectal examination allows the doctor to assess whether there is an enlarged prostate and whether there are nodules or other changes caused by cancer. Understand how digital rectal examination is done.
In addition, the doctor may also order a PSA test, which is usually above 4.0 ng / ml in cases of prostate hyperplasia.
If the doctor identifies abnormal changes during digital rectal examination or if the PSA value is above 10.0 ng / ml, he may order a prostate biopsy to assess the possibility that the increase is being caused by cancer.
Watch the following video and check the tests that can be performed to diagnose prostate problems:
What causes
Most of the situations in which the prostate is enlarged are cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which appears with aging and shows symptoms of slow progression, and treatment is usually started only when it presents many symptoms that interfere with daily activities..
However, the enlarged prostate can also be caused by more serious diseases that need to be treated, such as prostatitis or cancer, for example. Prostatitis usually affects young men, while cancer is more frequent with advancing age.
However, in the case of men who have a family history of prostate cancer, they should have a digital rectal exam earlier than usual, around the age of 40, in order to avoid complications.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for an enlarged prostate varies according to the cause and severity of the problem. So it can be done as follows:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia: in these cases the doctor starts treatment with the use of drugs, such as tamsulosin, alfuzosin or finasteride, for example, to decrease the size of the prostate and relieve symptoms. In the most severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the prostate. Learn more about how this problem is handled. Prostatitis: In some cases, inflammation of the prostate is caused by a bacterial infection, so the urologist may prescribe antibiotics. Here's how to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis. Prostate cancer: treatment is almost always done with surgery to remove the prostate and, depending on the evolution of the cancer, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be necessary. Learn more about treatment.
Some natural remedies that help complete the treatment, with medical authorization, can relieve symptoms more quickly. See some examples of these home remedies for the prostate.
