Enlarged prostate: The signs, symptoms, and treatment

Do you have to make annoying trips to the bathroom every night, and more than once or twice? An increase in bathroom runs during the night could be the initial signs of having an enlarged prostate problem. If one cannot sit even on a short plane flight without rushing to the washroom or sit through an entire meeting, then they might be suffering from enlarged prostate, or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), as the condition is medically known as. As per the NKUDIC (National Kidney and Urological Disease Information Clearinghouse), an enlarged prostate is the most common problem of the prostate among men over the age of 50. Again, as per the AUA (American Urological Association) statistics, almost 50% of men above the age of 60 have BPH, a number which climbs to 90% as men reach the age of 85 years.

Signs and symptoms
Some of the enlarged prostate symptoms include trouble beginning urine, dribbling or leaking. The major trouble is that the nightly bathroom runs become more frequent, making their way into daytime routine. Also, enlarged prostate symptoms could become worse if one is under emotional or physical stress or during cold weather. Enlarged prostate symptoms can be divided into two categories.

  • Symptoms related to bladder emptying: These include pain during urination (dysuria), an urge to urinate all the time, sometimes soon after having urinated, getting the feeling that the bladder isn’t completely empty, dribbling after urination, decreased urine strength (weak urine flow), and difficulty (straining, hesitancy) in beginning a urine stream.
  • Symptoms related to bladder storage: These symptoms include an uncontrollable, sudden urge to urinate, occurrence of frequent urination and waking up in the middle of the night to urinate frequently (nocturia).

When these enlarged prostate symptoms (a.k.a. lower urinary tract symptoms) occur, they could range from being barely noticeable and mild to being disruptive and serious. Also, the severity of the symptoms does not dictate the amount of prostate enlargement.

Treatment
Treatments for enlarged prostate include medications, minimally-invasive procedures and surgery. Going about choosing one treatment largely depends on one’s symptoms, the severity of the symptoms, one’s age and medical conditions. While the AUA says that surgery does the best job, the risks are also more. Medications include Alpha Blockers (which relieve the symptoms rather than reduce the prostate size) and 5-Alpha reductase inhibitors (partially shrink the prostate by reducing levels of the male hormone DHT).

Minimally-invasive treatments include TUMT (transurethral microwave thermotherapy that reduces moderate to mild blockage, intermittent flow, straining, urgency, urinary frequency but does not correct bladder-emptying), TUNA (transurethral radio frequency needle ablation which destroys prostate tissue to relive symptoms and enables better urine flow) and rostatic stents (metal coils inserted in urethra to keep it open). Surgery includes TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate, most common surgery), TUIP (transurethral incision of the prostate, cutting prostate tissue), laser surgery and prostatectomy.

    RECENT ARTICLE

  • Types of recreational vehicles
  • The best lemon meringue pie recipe
  • Bask in the openness of safety and security with Philips medical alert devices
  • How smoking affects your dental health

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  • Remedies for Lupus
    Lupus, an autoimmune disease has serious complications in the later stages. It attacks kidneys and produces Nephritis. Efficiency of kidneys reduces and toxins and other wastes accumulate in the blood. One may suffer from hematuria or blood in urine. Hypertension and swelling in lower legs set in. Untreated it can lead to End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Lupus also causes early morning lower leg swelling. Over the counter medication may not offer relief. The swelling starts mild and often goes unnoticed. Meet the doctor for appropriate treatment. It is necessary to eliminate ailments like arthritis. Effect on gastrointestinal systems are dry mouth as the salivary gland is affected. Patients may develop another autoimmune disease called Sjogren's syndrome, a condition where salivary, tear and vaginal glands are damaged. Other symptoms are heart burns or acid reflux. Over the counter drugs are initially effective. Not lying down immediately after meals help. A more serious condition is protein leak from the intestines, causing nutritional deficiency, and diarrhea creating further complications. The condition is called protein losing enteropathy. Lupus patients run increased risks of heart and coronary artery diseases, coagulation of blood in the body leading to thromboembolism which very serious depending on the location of the embolism. This is due to antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. This also increases miscarriage in women. Advanced treatment involves the use of over the counter NSAID and later prescription level stronger NSAIDs. They have the side effects of gastric hemorrhage, kidney problems and increased risks of heart diseases. Antimalarial drugs are found to be effective in controlling the inflammation. They have the side effects though like stomach bleeding and damage to retina. Other more advanced treatments involve the use of corticosteroids. They are effective in controlling inflammation but have major side effects like weight gain, hypertension, osteoporosis, easy bruising, increased risk of infections and their going out of control diabetics etc. Another avenue is immunosuppressants. They suppress the immune system and have increased risks of infection, liver damage, cancer and decreased fertility. The best option is early detection and treatment which avoids the requirement of advanced avenues of treatment. From the home remedy perspective, turmeric is effective in controlling inflammation and useful in refractory lupus nephritis. Ginger with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help relieve joint swelling and pain. Omega 3 fatty acids reduces inflammation and probiotic food reduces flare ups and reduces their frequency. Confirmation from the doctor is a prerequisite.
  • Car rental requirements for a young driver
    Car rentals in the United States can be done quite easily and there are also many different companies to choose from. The pricing is competitive and you will find that most places offer similar pricing for the same type of car. Some things to keep in mind, however, are that there are some strict policies and regulations that govern car rentals. Some of these which could surprise you are a minimum age requirement and varied costs that can apply. Although the requirements change from state to state, for the most part there are some basic requirements that you should be aware of, starting with a valid driver's license. You will have to put down a deposit, either via a credit card (the preferred mode) or else in cash. As a young driver, your costs are likely to be significantly higher, so do keep that in mind when budgeting your expenses, and make sure you have enough cash/credit to meet them. While U.S drivers can get on the road at the age of 16, most car rental companies will ask that the driver be 25 years old. Why, you ask? Well, statistics say that drivers under the age of 25 get into more automotive accidents, and thus, this is what most of the rental companies go with. So, if you're under that age, then you are likely to find that your choices are fewer, as there are only a limited number of companies that will rent a car to someone under 25, and even that only to drivers who are over 21 years old this requirement is there in all but two states (New York and Michigan). Please be aware that each rental car agency has its own pricing and rules, which vary from place to place. And, you should expect to pay more for the privilege of driving if you're under 25, anywhere between $20 and $70 a day. Referred to as the Young Driver Surcharge Fees, this is applicable over and above the cost of the car rental, insurance, and other fees and often can be more than the actual daily rental cost of the car. The choice of car you can rent may also be limited when you're under 25 years old some places won't allow you to rent large or high end vehicles.
  • Here’s what to look for while choosing a water softener
    It is a well known fact that hard water is harsh for household usage. Whether it is about spots on glassware, a film shower doors or an inefficient operation of water-using appliances, installing the best water softeners can be of great help to homeowners. Water softeners are products that remove calcium and magnesium ions from water and work at replacing them with salt/sodium via ion exchange. NSF-certified water softeners are often rated as best water softeners. Opting for an NSF-certified water softener with a system monitor is usually recommended as it indicates the user when salt is low, thus helping him/her maintain the quality of water. The hardness of water is measured in grains per gallon. Grain capacity of a water softener is its rated capacity. It specifies the maximum number of grains of water hardness the water softening unit can remove before regeneration. Steps to determine the best water softeners for your home.
    • Count the number of members in your home.
    • Multiply the number of people in your home by the gallons of water they use each day.
    • Test the hardness of water using a water test kit.
    • Multiply that number by the grains of hardness in your water to the total quantity of water used. This way you will be able to figure out how many grains need to be removed each day.
    • After you determine the quantity of grains you need to remove, you can check for a water softener that claims to handle the derived hardness of water.
    If you have been using a water softener for a long time, the resin bed inside the water softener is likely to have developed a coating of hard particles. In this case, the water softener goes into its regeneration cycle. Regeneration means that the salt in the tank is mixed with incoming water to rid the resin bed of these hard particles. After the process of regeneration, the water filter systems are ready to provide a steady stream of soft water again.
  • Pneumonia – Causes, signs and treatments
    Pneumonia is a bacterial infection that takes place in the lungs. Various symptoms of Pneumonia are visible and may even require immediate hospitalization so that the patient may be treated under intense and appropriate medical care. Yet, for many people, the condition may be treated at home if the bacteria have not progressed to a great degree at the time of diagnosis. The condition is known to clear within a few weeks, but it may give rise to complications for those who are already suffering from other diseases. There are many causes of pneumonia. The top reason is exposure to very low temperatures. Let us find out more about causes of Pneumonia along with the measures that may be taken for diagnosis and treatment. • Causes of the bacterial infection: Pneumonia is a bacterial infection which is caused by the bacteria known as pneumonia. When we breathe in germs which enter our lungs, this bacteria gets activated. This happens during extremely low or cold temperatures when we do not have enough of protective layers of clothing on us. This leads us to start breathing from the mouth, which clears the way for germs to enter into the lungs. It may also happen when a person already has had a cold and flu. This can trigger the growth of the pneumonia bacteria, which can lead to the infection as well. • Implications: Pneumonia can leave your immunity in a bad condition and therefore, you will not be in the state to fight the onset of further infections. Also, for those who are already suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, the condition may get worse. Further, patients who are suffering from such kind of chronic diseases are at a far greater risk of contracting the disease as their immunity is already at an all-time low. • Symptoms: Pneumonia comes with a number of symptoms. One of the earliest signs of the infection is a persistent, racking cough. Also, the patient will experience chills and accelerated heartbeat. Nausea, vomiting as well as loose motions will be experienced by the patient. The patient will also feel a lot of fatigue. Chest pain is also another common symptom that comes along with the coughing. • Diagnosis: The diagnosis will be conducted with the help of an X-Ray and other tests like complete blood count or CBC. The mucus from the lungs may also be extracted and tested in order to determine the existence of the disease. • Treatment: There are many measures that will be taken in order to treat the infection. To begin with, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics that must be taken regularly. Also, it is imperative that one should not stop taking them but finish the full course. Not completing the course of antibiotics may lead to a relapse of the condition. Further, the patient will need to take complete rest and get lots of sleep so that the body's energy may get replenished. Also, a proper diet with plenty of hot liquids is be prescribed for the patient.
  • Throwing the perfect party – Cutco style
    A party is an occasion when we would like our home to look its best even as we serve our guests with the best love and care possible. Starting from the cutlery to the crockery and even the linen, there is no effort that we spare when we are entertaining people at home. The knives that we use at a dinner party and even those that we use when we are preparing meals and ingredients for stellar dinner table presentation form an important part of how we entertain. Cutco is one of the best-known names when it comes to knives and shears. This brand has been known for its combination of great looks and wonderful engineering when it comes to shears, hunting knives, cheese knives, dinner table knives, cooking and chopping knives and much more. So here is a great guide for you to follow when it comes to the various elements of your party, including the smallest details like the knives on your table! • Decide on the kind of party you are planning to have: This is the first and crucial step that you would have to go through in order to throw a good party. Depending on the occasion, decide on how formal or casual you want to go. A holiday party with the entire family would be a semi-formal affair where everyone would want to sit down together. So the crockery, cutlery, and linen should be laid out well in advance so that no one needs to get up from the table to fetch things at the last minute. This would also include various kinds of knives for paring the meat and other, more delicate ones for spreading cheese and butter which would go with each place setting. Also, a summer barbecue party would be a more fun-filled affair where you can arrange all the essentials on one station and ask the guests to help themselves as they go along. • Crockery and Cutlery: You will have to prepare for this aspect once you have decided on what kind of party you are throwing. Remember to have the best in terms of forks, spoons, and knives with all kinds of sizes like the ones available at brands like Cutco. You should remember to match the cutlery with the kind of food that you are serving. For example, a wine and cheese do should typically have a cheese knife set for the guests to use. • Linen: The linen is the next aspect that you would have to take seriously. You should ensure that there are various kinds of napkins depending on the kind of party that you are throwing. This should also match the time of the day. Bright cocktail napkins for a fun evening cocktail party and soothing lace napkins for a tea party are the typical combination rules that you should follow. Throw on tablecloths to layer the space and also ensure that every piece is well-ironed and laid out in symmetry.
  • Top 4G Smartphones At Affordable Prices

    Looking for 4G smartphones in the market? A range of options are available and in case you are a budget buyer, several options exist in the segment as well. Here are some of the best 4G smartphones in the market which can be considered as true budget 4G smartphones. Check out these affordable 4G smartphones and make your pick.

    Moto E4
    This smartphone is exclusively available on Amazon and if you are looking for 4G smartphones, this can be a worthy option to consider. The usual price of this smartphone is around $130, which has been reduced to approximately $100 on Amazon. The catch is that Amazon will give you a host of ads on the locked screen for this discount.

    This decent entry-level phone among the 4G smartphones in the market is otherwise offering an avid user quad-core Snapdragon 425, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of additional storage. The smartphone runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat. Since the smartphone is unlocked, it can be used with the carrier of your choice. This smartphone comes with some of the exclusive features which Moto G5 offers including autofocus camera and front fingerprint sensor.

    Moto E4 Plus
    Moto E4 Plus is among other 4G smartphones in market which is available for a price of $99.99 approximately. The smartphone comes with a fingerprint sensor and has a 5000 mAh battery which makes this smartphone exclusive in the real sense.

    The bigger battery of this smartphone is an exclusive feature which otherwise is rarely available in this price range. In case, you are purchasing this smartphone online, you will get an additional discount of around 10%.

    LG Harmony
    In case you are looking for a smartphone from any of the four biggest carriers in the country, the choices are limited but you can always opt for LG Harmony. This is one of the 4G smartphones which is available for a price of $100 approximately and comes with a 5.3-inch HD display screen. Additionally, the smartphone works on a quad-core processor have a 2800 mAh battery and work on Android 7.0 Nougat.

    Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime
    This is one of the 4G smartphones from Samsung which is available for a price range below $100 approximately. This smartphone works on 1.6 GHz octa-core processor has 3GB of RAM and comes with 16GB of expandable storage.

    The distinct advantage of buying Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime from among 4G smartphones is that the buyer not only gets a large screen but a large battery the same being 3300mAh and comes with Android 7.0.

    ZTE Blade V8 Pro
    This is one of the best ZTE phones and works on Android marshmallow. The smartphone comes in 5.5-inch size and is available for a price of $100. The smartphone has 3GB of RAM and has storage of 32GB which can further be extended through micro SD card. ZTE Blade comes with 3,140 mAh battery and comes with a rear camera of 13 MP.

    Moto E4
    Another of the affordable 4G smartphones in the market is Moto E4 which works on Android 7.1.1. It comes with a screen size of 5 inches and has a resolution of 1,280x 720. The smartphone has storage of 16GB which can further be extended through microSD card. Moto E4 has a battery of 2,800 mAh and comes with a rear camera of 8MP. The smartphone has a front camera of 5MP.

    Honor 6X
    Honor 6X is another among leading 4G smartphones which works on Android Nougat and has a screen size of 5.5 inches. The smartphone has a 64GB of storage which can further be extended with help of microSD card. The 3,340 mAh battery will always last you for the day ensuring that you are able to be in touch with your loved ones.

    Choose from the above-listed 4G smartphones and make your life easier without burning a hole in your pocket.