As many as one in six men experience prostate problems in their lifetime, according to "The Johns Hopkins Complete Home Guide to Symptoms and Remedies." Prostate cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death in men. Knowing more about the conditions caused by an enlarged prostate may prevent serious complications later and save yours or a loved one's life.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (often referred to as benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH) is a nodular enlargement of the prostate gland. This gland, responsible for 30 percent of semen production, surrounds the urethra. When the prostate swells, it squeezes down on the urethra and makes passing urine difficult, causing a frequent or urgent desire to urinate. The Mayo Clinic explains that the urine stream then becomes weak, perhaps interrupted or takes on a dribbling characteristic. Patients complain of the urge to urinate often during the night, and urine tinged with blood is not uncommon.
A digital rectal examination performed by a physician will confirm that the prostate is swollen, and a bladder ultrasound reveals whether or not the bladder is retaining urine. Incomplete voiding in men suggests BPH or possible bladder problems.
Prostatitis
Similar to BPH in its inflammation of the gland, prostatitis' symptoms include fever, chills, feeling of bladder fullness, painful ejaculation, impotence and pelvic or lower back pain. The Mayo Clinic states that prostatitis may also manifest the same symptoms as BPH and make urination difficult or painful. A pus-filled sac capable of pressing on the uretha and blocking urine flow may develop as a result of this inflammation. Prostatitis may be caused by a sexual transmission or an internal bacterial infection.
A digital rectal exam and a microscopic exam of a fluid culture taken from the rectum aid in the diagnosis of prostatitis.
Prostate Cancer
An enlarged prostate may be caused by a developing tumor. The National Cancer Institute estimates that, in a year, more than 190,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 27,000 of them will die. As cancers go, prostate cancer grows very slowly and may take years to spread. Often, instead of aggressive and immediate treatment after a diagnosis, patients are put on a "watch" status. Symptoms of prostate cancer are the same as BPH symptoms. Patients experience painful urination, bloody urine, pelvic and lower back pain, interrupted urinary stream, and erectile dysfunction episodes.
A tissue biopsy confirms the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
In addition to physical symptoms of any of these disorders, a blood test for the prostate specific antigen (PSA) can reveal prostate problems. PSA is an enzyme that functions to liquefy semen after ejaculation. Under normal conditions, very little PSA circulates in the bloodstream; however, prostate abnormalities, whether malignant or nonmalignant, cause PSA levels to rise.
References
- "The Johns Hopkins Complete Home Guide to Symptoms and Remedies"; Johns Hopkins; 2004
- Mayo Clinic: Prostate Gland Enlargement
- National Cancer Institute: Prostate Cancer
