BPH Specialist in Huntsville, AL
What Is BPH?
As men age, it is very common for their prostate to continue growing larger, which will often cause issues between age 50 and 60, and beyond.
An enlarged prostate is medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. This condition describes a prostate that has grown large enough to exceed its natural boundaries and begin to push down on the urethra. The highly trained urologists at Urology Specialists, PC have extensive experience diagnosing and treating patients throughout the Huntsville area for BPH. Call (256) 882-3605 to request an appointment at our men’s health clinic in Huntsville, AL today!
Common Symptoms of BPH
This added pressure typically results in problems of the urinary system such as:
- A frequent and powerful urge to urinate
- Straining during urination
- Accidental release of urine (urinary incontinence)
- A weak stream of urine
- Trouble starting to urinate
- Stopping and starting the flow of urine several times when urinating
- A constant feeling of fullness in the bladder
- Presence of blood in the urine
- Recurring urinary tract infections
To contact Urology Specialists, PC about your intense urinary discomfort, please call (256) 882-3605 for an appointment right away. In extreme circumstances, the urethra can become totally blocked, which will cause severe complications if not treated as soon as possible.
Why BPH Treatment Is Important
Many men will continue to muddle through their symptoms and adjust their life accordingly. This often means taking more bathroom breaks, especially all throughout the night.
Not only does this ruin your chances of getting a good night’s rest, but it can also have negative effects on your overall health since BPH can quickly lead to a bladder infection or kidney damage. BPH can also impair your overall quality of life, as you will likely miss many moments while running back and forth to the bathroom.
The best way to take full advantage of your life is to discuss your symptoms with Urology Specialists, PC to determine which course of treatment will be best for you and your unique case of BPH.
A Variety of Treatment Options in Huntsville
For many years a transurethral resection of the prostate has been the standard for treating issues of an enlarged prostate. While this surgery is still very suitable for this purpose, advanced technologies have made it possible for less invasive options to become just as effective.
Rezūm
This procedure is especially recent, as it was approved by the FDA in 2015 for use in the treatment of BPH. The Rezūm System utilizes water vapor to break up lesions in the tissue of the prostate. With these lesions now broken apart, the urinary channel no longer has formations of tissue pressing upon it, and is able to easily pass urine once again.
BPH Frequently Asked Questions
The highly trained urologists at Urology Specialists, PC have provided this list of frequently asked questions to help patients better understand BPH and their treatment options.
It is not perfectly clear as to what leads the prostate to grow larger and larger during a man’s life. Significant growth during puberty is expected and completely normal, though research shows that the prostate again begins slowly increasing in size from age 25 and continues throughout the man’s life.
Since gradual prostate growth is consistent among a large majority of men, it is extremely common for this condition to be diagnosed in those of an older age. Statistically speaking, BPH affects:
- 20% of men over 50
- 60% of men over 60
- 70% of men over 70
- 90% of men over 80
In addition to age, other risk factors include having a family history of BPH, being obese, leading a sedentary lifestyle that does not include regular exercise, having type 2 diabetes, and experiencing erectile dysfunction.
Men typically have the health of their prostate evaluated during yearly physical examinations with their physician. This simple screening is often able to detect superficial abnormalities of the prostate, such as unusually large sizing.
Patients who schedule a consultation with a urologist regarding BPH will begin by thoroughly discussing their symptoms, personal medical history, and family medical history. A physical evaluation is often performed as well, and additional diagnostic tests may be ordered to analyze the functionality of the patient’s urinary system.
No. Because BPH is a benign condition, its symptoms have absolutely nothing to do with cancerous cell growth of the prostate.
Request an Appointment with a BPH Specialist
If you suspect you may be experiencing symptoms of BPH, schedule an appointment with a highly trained urologist at Urology Specialists, PC to discuss your treatment options. Call (256) 882-3605 to schedule an appointment at our urology clinic in Huntsville, AL today!