Do you know Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) [TEZI DUME in Swahili]?

Last reviewed on: 8th November, 2020

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an inflamed prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube that transfers urine from the bladder out of the body. As the prostate becomes larger, it might squeeze or partially block the urethra. This frequently causes difficulties with urinating. 

BPH arises in nearly all men as they age, it is not cancer but it is benign. An inflamed prostate can be disturbing, but it is generally not a serious problem, about half of all men older than age 75 have particular signs. It is also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy. 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is benign, therefore it is not cancer, it does not form nor lead to cancer. Sometimes BPH and cancer can occur at the same time. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is possibly a normal part of the aging progression in men, caused by modifications in hormone balance and in cell growth. 

BPH causes urinary difficulties such as:

• Difficulty attaining a urine stream started and entirely stopped.
• Normally sensation like you want to urinate, it may even wake you up at night.
• A weak urine stream.
• A feeling that your bladder is completely full after urination

SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS

Lots of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have no signs, when symptoms arise, they might range from mild and only just obvious to severe and troublesome. The extent of prostate extension is not always associated to the severity of the symptoms. Some men with only minor broadening have severe symptoms, and some men with a great deal of broadening have little symptoms. 

Your signs may become worse throughout cold weather or as an outcome of physical or emotional stress. Some medicines can form your symptoms worse. These include over the counter cold medicines such as diphenhydramine (i.e. Benadryl), pseudoephedrine (i.e. Sudafed), oxymetazoline spray (i.e. Afrin), and prescription medicines (i.e. antidepressants), water pills (i.e.diuretics), testosterone (i.e. gels, implants, or injections), and pain medicines (i.e. narcotics). 

The symptoms of BPH may include problems of emptying the bladder or difficulties with bladder storage. 

Symptoms related to bladder emptying include;

• Difficulty beginning urine stream
• Reduced strength of the urine stream (weak flow).
• Dripping after urination.
• Sensitivity that the bladder is not fully empty.
• A need to urinate again almost immediately after urinating.
• Discomfort during urination (dysuria)

CAUSES

The exact cause of BPH is still unknown though changes in male sex hormones as you age may be a factor. A family history of prostate problems or any deformities with your testicles may increase your risks for BPH. Men who have had their testicles detached at a young age do not develop BPH. 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is regarded a common situation of male aging, and it is approximated that over 50% of men over the age of 80 have BPH symptoms. 

Though age, genetics, and sex steroid hormones play protruding parts in the cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia and lower urinary tract symptoms, recent epidemiological studies propose that modifiable lifestyle factors also contribute considerably to the pathogenesis of these conditions. 

Lifestyle and metabolic factors comprise obesity, diabetes, and meat and fat consumption. Factors related with lessen risks comprise physical activity and vegetable consumption. 

TREATMENT 

DIAGNOSIS

If you have difficulty urinating, your prostate might be enlarged. The prostate is the gland that creates the fluid that carries sperm, it develops larger with age. The swollen prostate, can block the urethra from transferring urine from the bladder and out of the penis. 

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Label your symptoms now can aid to prevent problems later. Untreated BPH might cause urinary tract infections, acute urinary retention, and kidney and bladder stones. In serious cases it can brought to kidney damage. 

Treatment options comprise medicines and operation (surgery). The following are factors that you and your doctor will consider while evaluating these choices; 

• The extent your symptoms interfere with your life
• The size of your prostate
• Your age
• General health
• Any extra medical conditions

1. Medication Combo

The mixture of an alpha blocker and a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor offers a greater symptom relief than using either one of these drugs. Mixture therapy is often recommended when an alpha blocker or 5-alpha reductase inhibitor are not working on their own. The dutasteride and tamsulosin mixture comes as two drugs mixed into a single tablet. 

2. Stand the Heat

There are somewhat aggressive surgery options when drug therapy is not enough to release BPH symptoms. These methods include transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT). Microwaves destruct prostate tissue with heat during this outpatient process. 

Transurethral microwave thermotherapy will not cure an inflamed prostate, the method does cut down urinary frequency, makes it easier to urinate, and reduces weak flow. It does not solve the difficult of incomplete emptying of the bladder. 

3. Transurethral needle ablation (TUNA)

Transurethral needle ablation involves high frequency radio waves, sent through twin needles, burn a specific region of the prostate in this procedure. TUNA results in better urine stream and relieves BPH symptoms with fewer difficulties than aggressive surgery. 

This outpatient method can cause a burning sensation. The sensation can be accomplished by using an anesthetic to block the nerves in and around the prostate. 

4. Alpha Blockers for BPH

This class of treatments functions by relaxing the bladder neck muscles and the muscle fibers in the prostate. The muscle lessening makes it easier to urinate. You can anticipate an increase in urine flow and a less frequent need to urinate within a day or two if you take an alpha blocker for BPH. 

5. 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors for BPH

This type of treatment decreases the extent of the prostate gland by blocking hormones that shoot the growth of your prostate gland. Dutasteride (Avodart) and finasteride (Proscar) are two types of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. You will normally have to wait three to six months for warning sign relief with 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. 

6. Getting in Hot Water

Hot water is provided through a catheter to a treatment balloon that sits in the middle of the prostate in water induced thermotherapy. This computer controlled method heats a defined area of the prostate while nearby tissues are protected. The heat break up the problematic tissue, the tissue is then either eliminated through urine or reabsorbed in the body. 

7. Surgical Choices

Intrusive operation for BPH comprises transurethral surgery, which does not involve open surgery or an external cut. The specialist removes prostate tissue obstructing the urethra using a resectoscope inserted through the penis during transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP). During TUIP, the specialist makes incisions in the neck of the bladder and in the prostate, this helps to expand the urethra and rises urine flow. 

8. Laser Surgery

Laser surgery for BPH comprises injecting a scope through the penis tip into the urethra. A laser passed through the scope eliminates prostate tissue by melting or cutting. The laser melts surplus prostate tissue in photo selective vaporization of the prostate (PVP). 

Holmium laser melting of the prostate is similar, but a different type of laser is used. The physician uses two devices for Holmium laser cutting of the prostate, a laser to cut and remove surplus tissue and a morcellator to slice extra tissue into small segments that are detached. 

9. Open Simple Prostatectomy

Open operation may be required in complex cases of a much inflamed prostate, bladder injury, or other difficulties. In open simple prostatectomy, the doctor makes an incision below the navel or several small incisions in the stomach via laparoscopy. Not like prostatectomy for prostate cancer when the entire prostate gland is eliminated, in open simple prostatectomy the physician eliminates only the quota of the prostate hindering urine flow. 

10. Self-Care

Some men with BPH do not need medication or operation. The following steps may aid you manage mild symptoms; 

• Perform pelvic strengthening exercises
• Stay vigorous
• Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake
• Specify how much you drink instead of drinking a lot at one time.
• Urinate as soon as you feel urination do not wait.
• Avoid decongestants and antihistamines.
• Plan with your doctor about the treatment method that best suits your needs.

PREVENTION 

The urination difficulties caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) cannot be avoided. Some people believe that consistent ejaculations will aid avoid prostate broadening. But there is no scientific evidence that ejaculation helps. 

Scientist reveals that half of men over the age of 60 suffer from an inflamed prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), by the age of 85, over 95 percent of men will live with BPH. 

Diet rich in certain vitamins and minerals can retain your prostate healthy and lessen your risk of BPH. Being overweight is another risk factor for BPH, making nutritious food choices is a great way to lessen both your weight and your risk. Check out the following diets;

1. Sesame Seeds or Pumpkin seeds

Sesame seeds are rich in zinc, a mineral essential to the health of the prostate, also Pumpkin seeds comprise essential mineral elements such as Phosphorus, Zinc and Magnesium 

Various researches reveals that men with either BPH or prostate cancer have lower levels of zinc in their bodies up to 75 percent lesser than healthy prostates. 

Zinc is a critical constituent in your body’s capability to sustain highest levels of the sex hormone testosterone, it is also key constituent for healthy sperm production in men and is the life blood of a healthy active prostate. 

Zinc that originates from food is easier to absorb than zinc supplements. Aid your body by snacking on Sesame or Pumpkin seeds, also try oysters, adzuki beans and almonds, which are all high in zinc.

2. Salmon

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, these are healthy fats that can safeguard you from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. Fatty acids also aid in the synthesis of prostaglandin. Fatty acids shortage may lead to prostate problems, according to a study published in the Alternative Medicine Review. 

If fish is not your favorite food, you can acquire your omega-3s from walnuts, ground flax seeds, canola oil, and kidney beans. 

3. Soybean

A study published in The Journal of Urology revealed that Asian men have a lower risk of developing BPH than Western men. The likely reason is that Asian men eat more soy. Soybean isoflavones have been related to a lower risk for an enlarged prostate, according to a study published in The Prostate, eating more soy might even decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer. 

Other sources of soybean isoflavones, includes low-fat soymilk, tempeh, roasted soybeans, soy yogurt, and meat alternatives made with soy.

4. Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that may play a part in fighting BPH. Vitamin C from different sources are not the same, however, Various researches revealed that only vitamin C found from vegetables lowers your risk of an inflamed prostate. 

Bell peppers comprise more vitamin C than any other vegetable. One cup of fresh bell peppers comprises 195 percent of your daily requirement consumption of vitamin C. Other vegetables to attempt include broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts. 

5. Tomatoes

Lycopene found in tomatoes may lower the risk of developing prostate cancer. Lycopene is the bright carotenoid that provides tomatoes its red color. According to the National Cancer Institute lycopene also aids lower the blood level of antigen, a protein associated to prostate inflammation and BPH. 

Tomatoes and tomato products including tomato sauce and tomato juice are the greatest source of lycopene. You might also get this carotenoid from watermelon, apricots, pink grapefruit, and papaya.

6. Avocadoes

Avocadoes contain beta-sitosterol, a plant sterol. According to various researches, beta-sitosterol can aid lessen symptoms related with BPH. Men getting beta-sitosterol supplements have healthier urinary flow and less residual urine volume. 

Beta-sitosterol might help strengthen the immune system, it can lessen inflammation and pain as well. Other foods rich in beta-sitosterol comprise pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, soybeans, and pecans.

7. Vegetables

Intake of more vegetables can aid lower your risk of BPH. Green leafy vegetables are particularly significant since they are rich in antioxidants. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli also reduce the risk of prostate problems, including BPH and prostate cancer. 

People who eat onion and garlic commonly may also have a lower risk of BPH, according to investigation published in Urology, Onions and garlic are normally used in natural medicine to fight infection and aid strengthen the immune system. 

Posted by: Lusubilo A. Mwaijengo