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Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a benign (noncancerous) prostate gland growth. Such a condition is common in males over the age of fifty. The cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia is not known, but it can involve hormone level changes that occur with aging. The disease first results in symptoms, when an enlarged prostate starts to block urine flow. Usually, a male can have problems in beginning to urinate. He also can feel that urination is not complete. Because, the bladder does not empty fully each time, he has to urinate more often. He urinates at night more often (called nocturia) and the need to urinate becomes more pressing. The urinary flow and force can become visibly smaller, and urine can dribble at the urination’s end. The bladder can overfill, resulting in urinary incontinence. Bladder and urethra’s small veins may burst when the male strain to urinate resulting in blood to appear in the urine. Full blockage may cause urination impossible, leading to a full feeling and then to sharp pain the lower abdominal area. Bladder infection can result in burning feeling at the time of urination and fever. The urine backup also results in kidney’s increased pressure but in rare cases causes permanent damage of kidneys. Diagnosis of the benign prostatic hyperplasia depends on symptoms. During the rectal evaluation, a doctor may determine if prostate is enlarged. Doctor also feels for nodules, which can indicate a cancer, and tenderness, which can indicate infection. Blood tests that measure kidney function are usually done, as blood tests that screen a person for prostate cancer. Such tests measure the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels. In approx. 30 to 50% of the men with benign prostatic hyperplasia have elevated levels of prostate-specific antigen. This elevation is meaning that future examination must be performed to determine if the man has prostate cancer. In some cases, future tests are required. A doctor can measures the bladder’s remaining urine amount after urination by using catheter. However, a doctor more often asks the person to urinate into uroflometer (a device that measures the flow of urine). An ultrasound scan may determine whether a cancer is a probable cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia. In rare cases, a doctor inserts an endoscope up the urethra to see if the flow of urine is blocked for a reason’s other than a prostate enlargement. The symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia can be relieved by alpha-adrenergic medications that relax the bladder outlet muscles, such as dozazosin or terazosin. To delay the surgery and to shrink the enlarged prostate, medications, such as finasteride can be prescribed, but relief of symptoms can take three or more months. Additional treatments are required if the flow of urine is becoming completely blocked, the kidney begins to lose function, the urinary tract becomes infected, or the symptoms become, unbearable. A male who may not urinate at all, require a folley catheter to drain the bladder. Any infections are treated with antibiotics. Surgery offers the best relief. Other treatments may include: using a balloon to dilate the male’s urethra or using a microwave heating elements to decrease prostatic tissue.
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