Enlarged Prostate – Causes, Symptoms and How to cope

What is Prostate Enlargement?

Prostate is a male sex gland about the size of a horse chestnut. It is made up of a cluster of little glands which surround the urethra at the point where it leaves the bladder. During the long years of life, harmless nodules develop in the tissues. These accumulate and gradually enlarge the gland.

When exactly the problem arises?

The problem arises only when the gland gets so large that it interferes with the- urethra. As the gland enlarges, it narrows the diameter of the urethra and impedes the flow of urine.

What are the causes of Prostate Enlargement?

It is considered as a normal condition among many men who are 80 or above. If we ask for an exact cause, so the answer is only one word ‘unknown’ because changes in male sex hormones that come with aging may be a factor. Other factor can also include any family history of prostate problems or any abnormalities with your testicles.

Symptoms of Prostate Enlargement

1. It may be difficult to stop urinating once the process is started.
2. The stream is narrower and less powerful than before.
3. There may be a tendency to dribble urine.
4. After urinating, one still has a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
5. Straining may cause some blood to appear in the urine.

 

Home remedies to cope enlarged prostate:-

1. Pumpkin seeds can prevent prostate enlargement. The seeds have unsaturated fatty seeds. The powdered seeds can be added to the food or milk. It can even be taken with honey.
2. The chances of infections in urine increases with prostate enlargement and the patient should take cranberry juice to prevent infection in the urinary tract.
3. Prostrate infection can be reduced by taking garlic and goldenseal. Some fruits such as juniper berries prevent swelling in the prostate glands.
4. Tomatoes are also helpful in curing prostate diseases. It contains antioxidants, which can prevent prostate enlargement.
5. Vegetable juices can be taken to prevent prostate problems such as juice of carrots and spinach.
6. Supplement of vitamins E and zinc, can be taken to prevent prostate enlargement.
7. Food containing a high amount of starch or sweets can irritate the prostate and the urinary tract gets infected.
8. You should not take meals very fast. Properly chew the food and take water either, sometime after the meal or before the meal. Food items which can cause infections in the intestinal or urinary tract should be avoided.
9. Hydrotherapy or keeping hot and warm packs can provide relief.
10. Certain medicines of cold and cough contain a high amount of decongestants and the patient should avoid taking such medicines.
11. Avoid taking fluids one or two hours before going to sleeping and fluids should not be taken in a large quantity in one time. Water and fruits can be taken at regular intervals throughout the day.

 

Non-Surgical Treatment to treat Enlarged Prostate –

Now a new Non-surgical treatment has been developed which shows a better result than open surgeries the technique called Prostatic Artery Embolisation (PAE).  The Embolisation was performed under local anaesthesia by a unilateral approach, usually the right femoral artery. Initially, pelvic angiography was performed to evaluate the iliac and prostatic arteries. Then, a 4 or 5-F angiography catheter was introduced in the right femoral artery to catheterise the prostatic artery and embolisation was performed by PVA particles.  The endpoint chosen for embolisation was slow flow or near-stasis in the prostatic vessels. When embolisation of both prostatic arteries was finished, the catheter was removed. After 6- 8 hrs patients can start walking around in the room.

 

Advantages of Prostatic Artery Embolisation (PAE)

• PAE can be performed on any size prostate.
• It does not produce the side effects that TURP does.
• Whole procedure done through a small nick around the skin in the groin region.
• Most men experience no pain to light pain and leave the hospital in a day after intervention.
• No sexual dysfunction following prostatic artery embolisation and a quarter of patients report that sexual function improved after the procedure.
• PAE procedure needs no general anaesthesia nut it needs just mild to sedation
• No blood loss or risk of blood transfusion.
• No surgical ugly scars and makes for faster recovery.

(The author of the article is the Head Interventional Radiologist of Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj.)

By-Dr. Pradeep Muley