What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), often called benign enlargement of the prostate, is a common medical condition in men, especially as they age. It consists of a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, which is a part of the male reproductive system. The prostate surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body) and produces a fluid that mixes with sperm to form semen. Over time, the prostate can become enlarged and put pressure on the urethra, which can cause a variety of urinary symptoms.
Causes of BPH
Although the causes of BPH are not exact, there are several factors that contribute to its development, including:
- Aging: BPH is more common in older men and is rarely seen in men younger than 40 years. The aging process seems to play an important role in prostate enlargement.
- Hormones: Changes in hormone levels, particularly testosterone levels and a related hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), can influence prostate growth.
- Family background: If you have a family history of BPH, you are more likely to develop the condition.
- Inflammation: Prostate inflammation on a continuous basis (chronic prostatitis) may contribute to the development of BPH, although the exact relationship is not 100% confirmed.
Symptoms of BPH
Symptoms of BPH are related to the pressure exerted by the enlarged prostate on the urethra. Symptoms can vary in severity and include:
- Difficulty initiating urination: You may have difficulty starting to urinate.
- Weak urine flow: Urine stream may be weaker than normal.
- Frequent urination: You may feel the need to urinate more frequently, especially at night (nocturia).
- Sensation of not completely emptying the bladderYou may feel that your bladder does not empty completely after urinating.
- Urinary urgency: You may experience a sudden, strong urge to urinate that is difficult to control.
- Dribbling at the end of urination: After urinating, you may experience a persistent dribbling of urine.
– Infecciones urinarias recurrentes: Urinary retention caused by BPH can increase the risk of urinary tract infections. It is important to note that the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) can be similar to those of other medical conditions, such as prostatitis or prostate cancer. Therefore, if you experience any of these symptoms, it is essential to consult a physician for an accurate diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan.
Treatments for BPH
It is important to note that the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) may be similar to those of other medical conditions, such as prostatitis or prostate cancer. Therefore, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is essential to consult a physician for an accurate diagnosis and a appropriate treatment plan.
The obstruction produced by the prostate can be evaluated objectively. Depending on the degree of obstruction, different treatments are proposed, ranging from pharmacological treatment to surgical treatment. We talk about some of the treatments that we offer to our patients in the Urology Unit of Clínica Premium.
– The KTP Green Laser revolutionizes the treatment of benign prostate problems due to its incredibly low complication rate. Hospital stay is less than 24 hours, bleeding is minimal, the bladder catheter remains in most cases one day and the results are comparable to conventional surgery. Another important advantage is that it can be performed in high-risk patients, even in those taking antiplatelet medication without withdrawing it. Therefore, the way in which we specialists deal with prostatic obstruction problems is currently changing, since we have no qualms about offering our patients a definitive solution and they can forget about the problem forever.
- HOLEP - Laser Enucleation of the Prostate: Laser enucleation allows the removal of larger prostates with a rapid recovery and hospital discharge in 24/48 hours. One of the great advantages of this treatment is that it allows surgery without opening large prostates, eliminating adenomas completely, apart from the low rate of complications.
- The Rezum Method: is an innovative treatment system in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The technique consists of an injection of water vapor that is applied to the prostate, through a fungible device connected to a camera that allows visualizing and injecting the vapor through the urethral duct; allowing to solve the problems caused by the growth of the prostate. The Rezum method causes cell death of the problematic tissue, the remains of which are subsequently eliminated by the body itself.
– I-TIND is a temporary device that is implanted in the urethra and helps open and expand the urinary tract to improve urine flow. It consists of a wire mesh made of nitinol, an elastic, shape-memory material, which expands and adapts to the shape of the urethra when inserted. The I-TIND placement procedure is generally outpatient and is performed under local anesthesia or sedation. The folded device is inserted through the urethra and strategically placed in the area of the prostate that is compressing the urethra. The device remains implanted for a set period of time, usually several days, which will allow for an improvement in symptoms. After this period of time, the urologist removes the I-TIND device, without the need for surgery.
– The AQUABEAM System is a robotic surgery that solves the problems caused by prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), the most advanced and minimally invasive technique that currently exists to treat large prostates. Clínica Premium's Robotic Surgery Unit has this innovative technique to solve the problems caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and improve the quality of life of those who suffer from it.