(1) All men have the prostate gland and all prostate gland enlarge with age.How ever not all men require something to relieve this enlargement
(2) This happens most frequently in the 50yrs. to (small) 60yrs.age group. A 40 years old man has a 10% to 24% change of requiring a prostatectomy in his life.
(3) The enlargement of the prostate gland becomes bother some to the patient because it causes the following:
- need to void repeatedly in the day time(frequency)
- need to void urgently(urgency)
- need to get up several times in the night (nocturia)
- leakage of urine with a short warning (urge incontinence)
- A delay in starting the urine stream (hesitancy)
- A thin stream with multiple interruptions in the stream (intermittency)
- A feeling of wanting to pass more urine even after passing urine(incomplete evacuation)
(4) Enlargement of the prostate can be dangerous in the following conditions:
- Back-pressure on the kidneys (renal insufficiency)
- Blood in the urine (Hematuria)
- repeated infections in the urine (rerrent UTI)
- retention of urine (Acute or Chronic retention of urine)
- formation of stones in the bladder(Cystolithiasis)
(5) The prostate can be treated with medicine but
- always follow the advise of the doctor
- Medicines delay but may not avoid surgery
- The cost of and operation is cheaper than medical therapy over a period of 2 yrs
- they relieve the symptoms but not the prostate
- you need a regular 3 monthly follow up with your doctor
(6) When on non-operatine therapy follow these few simple rules:
- Do not drink water in large amounts
- Avoid drinking tea or coffee or soft-drinks as these cause increase in passing of urine
- Avoid drinking water or any of the above after 6o'clock in the evening
- Do not hold urine for a long period and pass urine at the first opportunity,for e.g. while traveling pass urine before starting and as soon as you stop
- Avoid all cough syrups and medicines which increase sleep
- Avoid alcohol or drink in small amount Alcohol causes
» More urine formation
» postponement of passing urine
» sleepiness
» this may cause retention of urine - Always pass urine twice at an interval if 5 to 7 minutes to rid yourself of the residual urine Always go to bed after passing urine Most operation are done without any cut in the skin .Sometimes for large prostates or those with stones need to have and open surgery. Although no blood is required in most cases.It is prudent to arrange a blood donation for these patients.
(8) Complications of these operations are:
- decrease in quantity of semen-frequency
- impotence 4-10% cases
- recurrence 4-10% over 5yrs.
- stricture formation 4-10%cases
(9) Remember the doctor is your friend and needs to know your problems to treat you well.
