What are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate?
An enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), most often causes issues with urination and the urinary tract. These symptoms tend to start small but worsen or become more noticeable over time. The most common symptoms include:
- An increased or urgent need to urinate, particularly at night
- Problems starting urination
- Your urine stream repeatedly starts and stops or feels weak
- An inability to fully empty the bladder
Less common but more severe symptoms may include a complete inability to urinate, blood in the urine, or a urinary tract infection.
What causes an enlarged prostate?
Generally, the prostate continues to grow with age and this regular growth can cause symptoms in certain men, particularly past the age of 60. However, there are a few other risk factors that can make you more susceptible to BPH:
- A family history of prostate issues
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
How is an enlarged prostate treated?
Prostate enlargement is a fairly treatable condition with a variety of options available depending on the size of your prostate and your symptoms:
Medication
Milder forms of prostate enlargement are easily treatable with medications that relax muscles around the prostate or even shrink the prostate, easing your symptoms.
Surgery
Dr. Lesani has extensive training in several forms of minimally invasive surgery that reduce the size of the prostate and increase urine flow, including arthroscopy, microwave therapy, and transurethral needle ablation. These in-office surgical procedures enter through the urethra and offer fast results after a brief recovery period.
Laser Therapy
Dr. Lesani‘s favored prostate procedure for over ten years, he uses a small mechanism called the Greenlight laser to enter through the urethra and vaporize obstructing prostate tissue. Laser therapy is minimally invasive and places far less stress on the body than other surgical methods.
How soon will I experience relief?
You should see results from most treatment options within one week, medications included. There are also a few lifestyle changes you can make that reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostate and can work together with your treatment to improve results:
- Avoid drinking too much liquid in the evenings
- Limit your caffeine and alcohol consumption
- Try to urinate regularly
If you have symptoms or are in need of surgery to treat an enlarged prostate, you want to see Dr. Alex Lesani, MD, in Las Vegas, Nevada. With his extensive experience in minimally invasive surgical techniques, your enlarged prostate issue can soon be a distant memory. You can call to schedule an appointment or book online.
