BPH

An enlarged prostate or a prostate infection (prostatitis) are common conditions and do not lead to prostate cancer. Almost all men suffer from some prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), as they grow older.

A rising PSA level is often an indication of BPH. BPH does not lead to prostate cancer, but it is possible to have both conditions at the same time.

Since the prostate surrounds the urethra, prostate enlargement can put pressure on the bladder and urethra, causing problems with urinating.

Symptoms may include:

• Feeling of not being able to empty your bladder
• Frequent urinating or a feeling of an urgent need to urinate
• Difficulty urinating with a weak stream
• Feeling the need to push to get started

If you have any of these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor. If you have blood in the urine, pain, a burning feeling, or can't urinate at all, see your doctor immediately.

Treatment for BPH

Treatment is available and the earlier you catch it, the easier it is to treat.

Medications are available, including alpha blockers (formerly used to treat blood pressure) which can cause the prostate muscles to relax, and new 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (like Finasteride) which can cause the prostate to shrink.

Minimally invasive techniques use other methods to shrink or remove prostate tissue. This includes vaporizing the tissue with an electrical current, using microwaves, or heating tissue with high-frequency radiowaves.

Surgical techniques are used for more advanced cases. The most often-used surgical technique is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), where a small instrument is inserted through the urethra, and electricity is passed through a small wire loop to cut away a section of the prostate. In some cases, open surgery (or prostatectomy) is used to cut out part of the prostate to relieve BPH.

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Prostatitis

Prostatitis is a general term for inflammation or infection of the prostate gland.

This is difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms may vary and can be similar to those for other conditions, such as a urinary tract infection or BPH.

Non-bacterial inflammation of the prostate is the most common kind of prostatitis. Symptoms may include the problems with urination mentioned above, painful or burning urination, painful ejaculation, or pain in the prostate area, groin, or lower back.

Chronic bacterial infections of the prostate can be treated with antibiotics. Symptoms are similar to those of non-bacterial inflammation, but may also include flu-like symptoms.

Acute bacterial infections are less common but more dangerous, possibly requiring hospital treatment with antibiotics. Symptoms include the swift onset of flu-like symptoms, in addition to other symptoms outlined above.