Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - The Right Treatment For You

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate, is considered one of the most common conditions to affect men over the age of sixty. Because it is so common, it's a good idea to know what the symptoms are so that you can seek treatment if needed. If you suspect you have Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia please consult your urologist.

Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia can range in severity, but here is a general questionnaire: Do you lose sleep at night for frequent urinating? Do you limit your daytime activities to stay near a restroom? Are you unable to delay urination? When you are finished do you still feel unfinished? Do you have a week urine flow?

The first line of treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is medicine. Completely non-invasive, medication is a simple form of management. It is, however, only effective with mild to moderate symptoms of severity, and only while you take them. The symptoms reappear once you stop taking them because they stop working. The cost/duration ratio is one thing that should be seriously considered when deciding on a treatment. Medication can become a financial burden because it's long term.

The next line of treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia might be a non-surgical, catheter based treatment. It is minimally invasive with a shorter recovery time than with regular surgery. The success rate is very high, but not necessarily permanent. Symptoms may reappear after five years or not at all. The actual treatment may take as little as thirty minutes and as much as an hour. You may experience some bleeding afterwards and will need a catheter for about a week. It may be considered an optimal alternative to surgery.

Surgery is what is utilized when medication doesn't work because the symptoms are too severe. With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia surgery you should expect a longer hospital stay and longer time needed for recovery. It is common to have some bleeding for a few weeks after the surgery as well as needing a catheter. The success rate is also high with surgery and the treatment is more likely to be permanent.

Knowing the advantages and disadvantages for each possible treatment is vital to making an appropriate decision for yourself because of the number of treatments available for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Understand that as with any medical procedure, individual results will vary. Consult with your urologist and find a treatment that's right for you.