When you have an enlarged prostate, it can make it hard to urinate. It can also cause lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
BPH is a common condition that occurs in men over the age of 50. It’s called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and does not raise your risk of getting prostate cancer.
It can be treated with medicines or surgery, depending on your symptoms.
Lifestyle changes, such as eating a low-fat diet and taking exercise, can help reduce the size of your prostate and ease your symptoms. They are easy to follow and often enough to make you feel better without needing medications or surgery.
Self-care steps include drinking plenty of water and keeping track of your urination habits. You should also try to go to the bathroom on a schedule, even if you don’t feel like it.
You should also avoid alcohol and caffeine, especially after dinner, because they can affect your bladder muscle tone and stimulate your kidneys to produce urine in the evening.
Your doctor may recommend taking an alpha blocker for up to six months if you have BPH symptoms. The medication can help stop the enlargement from growing further.
Medications for BPH can be taken in pill form or by mouth. They include tamsulosin and alfuzosin, which work by blocking the enzyme that causes the prostate to enlarge. Other medications, including terazosin and doxazosin, can also help.
A blood test can show if you have an enlarged prostate. Your doctor can also measure the amount of urine flow through your urethra with a special device. This can help your doctor determine how your symptoms are progressing.
If your enlarged prostate is not causing problems, you should be able to urinate easily. If you have trouble passing any urine, seek medical attention immediately.
Other conditions can also cause lower urinary tract symptoms. These can be serious, such as a blockage in your urethra or kidney damage.
Some of these conditions can be caused by underlying health issues, such as an infection or a tumor in the prostate. These conditions need to be addressed before they lead to any serious issues.
You can help prevent these problems from occurring by following a healthy, balanced diet, taking your medications on time, and getting regular exercise. You should also get yearly check-ups to monitor your symptoms and see if you need any changes in treatment.
In addition, you should drink plenty of fluids during the day and spread them out so you don’t drink too much in one sitting. You should also try to drink at least a glass of water before bedtime, so you don’t wake up to urinate in the middle of the night.
You can treat a blocked urethra with a procedure called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). A urologist inserts a special catheter through your urethra to reach your prostate. During the procedure, pieces of enlarged prostate tissue are cut with a wire loop. This tissue is then flushed out through the catheter. This surgery is done under local anesthesia.
