Your prostate starts out as a walnut-sized gland that sits between your bladder and rectum. But as you age, it starts to grow. Up to 60% of men in their 60s have an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). That jumps up to 90% of those over age 70.
Even when you learn that your prostate is a little larger than normal, you might not be too concerned at first. After all, BPH is a benign (non-cancerous) condition, and your doctor has given you the all-clear. But if your urinary habits have changed, BPH might be at fault.
Experienced and respected urologist, Alex Lesani, MD, encourages you to take your prostate health seriously. If you’ve been diagnosed with BPH or if you notice changes to your urinary habits, you may need to seek help with your enlarged prostate at our Las Vegas, Nevada, office.
How can BPH affect your urination? Following are a few of the most common ways.
In addition to sitting just under your bladder, your prostate wraps around your urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from your bladder through your penis. As your prostate grows, it presses against both your bladder and your urethra.
The result is an increased urge to “go.” You may find yourself planning your outings based on the number of accessible bathrooms. Once your urinary habits change enough to change your lifestyle and choices, it’s time to get help.
As your bladder’s capacity is compromised by the size of your prostate, one of the casualties may be your sleep. The National Institute of Health (NIH) recommends 7-9 hours of sleep for adults.
That doesn’t mean you’re good as long as you’re in bed for eight hours. Your sleep goes through important cycles that help your brain detox and consolidate memories.
If you wake up to go to the bathroom more than twice a night, you disrupt your natural sleep cycles. Poor sleep translates into poor function. Sleep deprivation also puts you at risk for serious complications, including heart attack and stroke.
Where’s that steady stream of old, that would make any garden statue of Cupid green with envy? If your BPH has progressed, you may find it difficult to start your urine flow. And flow may be a misnomer altogether.
Instead of freely pouring, your urine comes in dribs and drabs. Or it may trickle instead of flow.
One disconcerting sensation associated with BPH is that no matter how often you urinate, you never feel like you’ve completely emptied your bladder. You have a chronic feeling of urgency, but when you reach the bathroom, there’s no urine to pass.
You may also feel like you have to push or strain to empty your bladder. Straining isn’t healthy for your urinary tract or your rectum.
An opposite problem is that your bladder fills up so quickly that you barely make it to the bathroom in time to urinate. You may have to “hit the head” every hour or two, and it’s a near miss each time.
In addition to any medications or procedures for your BPH, you might also benefit from bladder training. Bladder training teaches your bladder to hold urine for longer and longer periods, so you don’t need to madly rush for a bathroom.
Another uncomfortable way that BPH affects urination is that peeing can become painful. Your enlarged prostate irritates nearby nerves. Your urinary tract may become inflamed. You may also have chronic pelvic pain.
If you have BPH, Dr. Lesani designs a customized treatment plan to give you relief and shrink your prostate. Of course, he first examines you thoroughly to be sure that BPH is causing your symptoms. Other conditions, including prostate cancer, sometimes affect urination in similar ways.
He may recommend changes to your diet that help cut down on inflammation. A healthier diet also supports your prostate, so he advises cutting out junk foods, sugar, and alcohol to focus on plenty of fresh, whole foods.
Exercise is part of any healthy routine. If you’re out of the habit of exercising, Dr. Lesani helps you design a regimen that starts where you are and takes you where you need to be.
Finally, he may recommend GreenLight™ laser therapy to shrink your prostate and give you immediate relief. In some cases, you may also benefit from medications.
Are you having urinary difficulties? Get back in the flow by calling Dr. Lesani at 702-470-2579 for BPH evaluation and treatment. You can also choose your own date by booking your appointment online.
