Tag: Enlarged Prostate

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Enlarged Prostate

Prostatitis. What is it? And How is it treated?

Did you know that half of all men will experience the symptoms of prostatitis at some point in their lives? In fact, prostatitis is the most common urinary tract issue in men under 50, and it is estimated that more than two million men seek treatment for prostatitis symptoms every year. So what is prostatitis?

Prostatitis is the term given to inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. It is often detected due to urinary symptoms caused by the inflamed prostate, which surrounds the urethra. Though there are several different types of prostatitis, the common symptoms associated with it are:

Pain or burning sensation when urinating. Difficulty urinating. Frequent urination, particularly at night. Urgent need to urinate. Cloudy urine. Blood in the urine. Pain in the abdomen, groin, or lower back. Pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum. Pain or discomfort of the penis or testicles. Painful ejaculation. Fever, chills, muscle aches, and other flu-like symptoms.

Prostatitis is not contagious and is not transmitted during sex. And diagnosing it can be tricky because other problems such as prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate need to be ruled out before an accurate diagnosis can be made. In order to determine this, the doctor performs a physical exam, including a rectal exam. Depending on the symptoms, the doctor may also test the patient’s urine and semen for infection.

There are four classifications of prostatitis: acute bacterial, chronic bacterial, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and asymptomatic.

Though the exact cause of prostatitis and its corresponding pelvic pain is not always known, there are several things that can raise the risk of developing it. These include a bacterial infection such as a bladder infection, an infection caused by a catheter, an infection from sex, or an issue within the urinary tract. Prostatitis can also be caused by non-bacterial sources. These include stress, injury, prior urinary tract infections, and nerve irritation or inflammation. 

Fortunately, prostatitis is treatable and curable. Your physician will usually treat it with a few weeks of antibiotics. However, in the case of chronic prostatitis, your doctor might also treat the infection with ibuprofen, an alpha-blocker- to help relax the muscles in the prostate making urination easier, as well as antibiotics.

The bottom line: If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of prostatitis, it’s important to make an appointment with a physician. During your visit, you can discuss your symptoms, and your doctor can rule out if there are any other conditions, such as an enlarged prostate with could be contributing to the problem. If the problem is connected to an enlarged prostate, call us up at MidAtlantic Vascular and Interventional, and we can go over treatment options, such as Prostate Artery Embolization, which we offer here at our office.

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Enlarged Prostate

Enlarged Prostate:  What’s Normal and What’s Not

signs of an enlarged prostate

One of the most common symptoms of an enlarged prostate is frequent urination.

Unless you’re drinking excessive amounts of water before bed, if you find yourself needing to urinate throughout the night, this could signal that you may be experiencing the effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate.

But what exactly is a prostate? And what does it have to do with urinating?

The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It is responsible for aiding in the production of fluid that carries sperm from the testicles and helps to push semen through the urethra during ejaculation. The prostate is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum and surrounds part of the urethra.

Typically the prostate is about the size and shape of a walnut, however, as a man ages, it is normal for the prostate to become larger. Though it is normal for the prostate to grow, sometimes this growth can be excessive to the point where it can cause problems with urination.

This growth and its impact on urination are so common, that on average about 8 out of 10 men will eventually experience it. However, only around 30% will find these symptoms to be bothersome enough to consult their doctor.

The growth of the prostate is commonly referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. Unfortunately, BPH can not be prevented, however, just like with the rest of the human body, diet, and lifestyle can definitely play a part in its health.

So what are the signs of an enlarged prostate, and when should an appointment be made with your doctor?

The most obvious sign of prostate enlargement is its impact on urination, especially at night. Some of the other symptoms you may experience are:

Straining to urinate.
Stopping and starting during urination.
Feeling the need to urinate when you don’t actually need to. Inability to empty the bladder completely.

It is important to see your doctor if you have symptoms of BPH, especially if you are under the age of 40. Although it’s fairly uncommon, it is possible for enlarged prostate to lead to serious problems such as bladder or kidney damage. If your symptoms are bothersome, your doctor will work with you to find a treatment that is best. This could be medicine, lifestyle changes, or in more extreme cases, surgery.

The bottom line, an enlarged prostate is common, and it is normal for the prostate to grow with age. However, if you are experiencing any discomfort or symptoms of an enlarged prostate, it is best to see your doctor.

An enlarged prostate is not the same as an infection or inflammation of the prostate, however, some of the symptoms can be similar. So the earlier these issues are detected and treated, the better.