Benign prostatic hyperplasia or also known as Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is the non cancerous enlargement of prostate gland

But you must be thinking what is prostate ? How can it be enlarged? What are its effects? And many more questions must be arising in the minds ?????

Let me answer…….

The literal meaning of Prostate is to “guard” or to protect. It is a small walnut sized gland  that surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Its normal weigh is around 20 to 30 grams. In case of enlargement of the prostate, it can swell up to 80-100 grams. With age prostate increase in size, resulting in the obstruction in passage of urine. This condition is known as BPH.

FUNCTION OF PROSTATE GLAND

The prostate gland secrets a fluid called “Prostatic secretions”. These secretions are excellent to protect the spermatozoa from deadly, highly acidic media of the vagina. These secretions contain Prostate Specific Antigen ( PSA) and also ensure the longer survival of the genetic material inside the sperms. The sperms remain motile for a longer period in the presence of prostatic secretions.

The prostate goes through two main growth periods as a man ages. The first occurs early in puberty, when the prostate doubles in size. The second phase of growth begins around age 25 and continues during most of a man’s life. As you age, your prostate may get larger. Benign prostatic hyperplasia often occurs with the second growth phase.

BPH involves hyperplasia of prostatic stromal and epithelial cells, resulting in the formation of large, fairly discrete nodules in the transition zone of the prostate.When sufficiently large, the nodules push on and narrow the urethra resulting in an increased resistance to flow of urine from the bladder. This is commonly referred to as “obstruction”, although the urethral lumen is no less patent, only compressed.

FUNCTION OF PROSTATE GLAND

Normal and Enlarged Prostate
As the prostate enlarges, it can then squeeze down on your urethra. The bladder wall becomes thicker. Eventually, the bladder may weaken and lose the ability to empty completely, leaving some urine in the bladder. The narrowing of the urethra and urinary retention–the inability to empty the bladder completely–cause many of the problems associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. BPH is benign. This means it is not cancer. It does not cause nor lead to cancer. But BPH and cancer can happen at the same time.

SYMPTOMS:

  • Feeling that the bladder is full, even right after urinating
  • Feeling that urinating “can’t wait”
  • Weak urine flow
  • Dribbling of urine
  • The need to stop and start urinating several times
  • Trouble starting to urinate
  • The need to push or strain to urinate
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia SYMPTOMS

Complications

In a small number of cases, BPH may cause the bladder to be blocked, making it extremely hard to urinate.
Backed-up urine in the bladder (urinary retention), leading to bladder infections or stones, or kidney damage.

DIAGNOSIS:

Sometimes BPH can be confused with UTI i.e. urinary tract infection but with some exainations this can be distinguished properly. So get your check up if these symptoms arise

  • Physical examination.
  • Urine test (urinalysis).
  • Digital rectal examination (DRE) to feel the size of prostate.
  • Ultrasonography (ultrasound)
  • Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test to rule out prostate cancer.
    Cystoscopy.

Ayurvedic Approach

In Ayurveda, BPH is known as ‘ Ashthila ‘.  Ashthila along with two other conditions known as mootrakrucha (difficulty in urine) and mootraaghaata (total suppression of urine) is caused due to aggravation of Vata especially the Apana Vayu . Aggravation of apana vayu blocks the mootravaha srotas (passage of urine) resulting in obstruction of urine.

It results in pain in lower abdomen and retention of urine, the condition called as ashthila.

This condition can be cured with herbal therapy. No need to worry.

There are herbs which squeeze the size of prostate, resulting in the normal flow of urine. Herbs like Shilajit, rye, guggul many many more helps in reducing prostate into normal size.

Our team is always ready to help the patients. If any symptom like this arises, must consult the authentic doctors to avoid the complications arise from BPH.