Enlarged Prostate Treatment
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Enlarged prostate treatment is most commonly necessary due to a condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. The prostatic cells nearest to the urethra proliferate causing nodules which constrict the width of the tube and interfere with the functions of urination. Whilst many men only have mild symptoms which require monitoring and the elimination or reduction of caffeine and alcohol from their diets, others may need alpha blockers that relax the muscle fibres controlling the tension in the prostate gland and bladder.
Enlarged prostate treatment is most commonly necessary due to a condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. The prostatic cells nearest to the urethra proliferate causing nodules which constrict the width of the tube and interfere with the functions of urination.
Whilst many men only have mild swollen prostate symptoms, which require monitoring and the elimination or reduction of caffeine and alcohol from their diets, others may need alpha blockers that relax the muscle fibres controlling the tension in the prostate gland and bladder. This reduces the pressure on the urethra, allowing an increase in the flow of urine and alleviating some of the symptoms
Severely enlarged prostates can be treated with 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors which block the production of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and can reduce the size of the prostate by as much as 30%. However, the potential side-effects can include a reduced libido, erectile dysfunction and the growth of man boobs whilst the drugs are being taken.
There is also some evidence that certain plant extracts like beta-sitosterols, saw palmetto, rye grass and pygeum africanum bark extract can be very helpful in relieving symptoms.
There are three surgical interventions available if the enlargement is severe and there has been no reduction due to medication:
Ttransurethral resection of the prostate (TURP procedure) is now the standard surgical enlarged prostate treatment. The surgeon inserts an endoscope to facilitate the use of tools to cut out the middle of the enlarged prostate under general anaesthetic;
Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) where the surgeon makes small cuts in the prostate and neck of the bladder to reduce the blockage and urine flow under local anaesthetic; and
Open prostatectomy, which involves opening the abdomen to remove the obstructing part of the prostate. Naturally this is a serious operation which may require up to a week in hospital.
Other less invasive surgical treatments involve microwave and laser therapies or water induced thermotherapy.
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