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Enlarged Prostate or Prostatitis
An enlarged prostate or prostatitis (prostate infection) 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 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 is available, and the earlier you catch it, the easier it is to treat.
Treatment for BPH:
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.
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Prostatitis
Prostatitis is a general term for inflammation or infection of the prostate gland.
It is hard to diagnose, as the symptoms vary, and can be similar to those for other conditions, such as 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 flue-like symptoms.
Acute bacterial infections are less common but more dangerous, possibly requiring hospital treatment with antibiotics. Symptoms include the swift onset of flue-like symptoms, in addition to symptoms mentioned above.
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