Understanding Enlarged Prostate
The prostate is a small gland, which is a part of the male reproductive system. Having the shape and size of a walnut, the prostate plays an important part in the manufacturing of semen. The location of the prostate in the male body is key as it is placed low in the pelvis, below the bladder and right before the rectum. It also covers some portion of the urethra, which carries urine out of the body. In short, the prostate gland has an important role to play in the day-to-day functioning of the human body.
As the person ages, the prostate grows bigger and these can lead to many problems. This is because the prostate gland surrounds the urethra and if the former enlarges, then it will squeeze the urethra and cause tremendous pain/discomfort to the concerned individual. In such a situation, it becomes difficult for the person to pass urine normally as there is lot of pain and uneasiness. In some cases, a tumour growth can also lead to an enlarged prostate and thus cause infection and terrible pain.
Symptoms of enlarged prostate
As one’s age increases, certain signs of enlarged prostate will become more visible. Some of these include the following:
- Passing urine more times during a day
- Need to pass urine urgently
- Pass lesser urine
- Feel a burning sensation whenever you pass urine
- Getting up many times at night to pass urine
All these symptoms surface as a person age. They may be signs of enlarged prostate, infection (prostatitis) or prostate cancer.
Read more: Enlarged Prostate- Symptoms and Treatment Options
Tests/treatment for enlarged prostate at Gujarat Superspeciality Hospital
If any person is experiencing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, then they must definitely consult a doctor. When you consult the doctor, they will take a look at your medical history and you may have to give a urine sample for testing. Then further tests will be done to confirm if it is enlarged prostate or not. The common tests are as follows:
- Digital rectal exam: The digital rectal exam or DRE is the usual method to check on the prostate. In this test, with the help of gloves and lubricants, the doctors feel the prostate. The physical examination helps to understand the size and firmness of the prostate and know if there are any lumps or growth.
- Prostate Specific Antigen Test (PSA): Other than the digital rectal exam, doctors also make use of this second test to know the state of prostate-specific antigen in the person’s blood. With help from this test results, the doctor can conclude if the patient’s discomfort is due to an enlarged prostate or not.
Once the enlarged prostate condition has been confirmed, the doctor will advise treatment options. The main treatment is bringing about changes in your mostly sedentary lifestyle like maintaining a healthy diet, timely exercise, keeping away from unnecessary medications etc. In some cases, even by doing the above-mentioned steps, the enlarged prostate does not change. In such a situation, doctors may recommend higher doses of medicine or supplements or surgery as the last option. People in Vadodara can seek excellent treatment at the Urology clinic at Gujarat superspeciality hospital for cure of their enlarged prostate condition. The Urology department is equipped with all the best infrastructure and technology and has the best team of experts to help you get better in no time.
