Know the facts about an enlarged prostate If you’re an older man and urinary problems are making life uncomfortable, an enlarged prostate may be the culprit. It affects more than 50% of men ages 51 to 69 and up to 90% of men over 80. This condition is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). What is the prostate? This male reproductive gland makes fluid that is part of semen. It lies just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. BPH can cause urinary symptoms because: ● The prostate presses against the bladder and pinches the urethra. ● Your bladder muscle gets weaker because it has to work harder to pass urine. BPH symptoms include: ● Frequent urination, day and night. ● Urgent need to urinate. ● Difficulty starting a urine stream. ● A weak or interrupted stream. ● Dribbling at the end of urination. ● Accidental leakage (urinary incontinence). ● Pain while urinating or ejaculating. ● Urine with an odd color or smell. NOTE: Get medical help right away if you can’t urinate, have a fever or chills, have pain in your belly or urinary tract, or have blood in your urine. Is it BPH or something else? BPH does not increase your risk for prostate cancer. But you can have both BPH and cancer at the same time. It’s best to get a clear diagnosis either way. Your health care provider may perform a rectal exam to check the size and shape of the prostate gland and do urine tests for a bladder infection, diabetes or certain kidney disorders. You may also need a study to see how well the bladder and urethra are working. Talk with your provider about whether using a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is appropriate for screening you for prostate cancer. BPH may elevate PSA levels, which can raise questions about the next tests and treatments to take, along with their relevant risks and benefits. Men 70 and older should not be routinely screened for prostate cancer with a PSA test. Treatment For mild cases, lifestyle changes can help. You can: ● Drink less before bedtime or travel. ● Cut back on caffeinated beverages and alcohol. ● Do training and exercises to control your urine flow. ● Prevent or treat constipation. Medications can treat mild to moderate symptoms of BPH by stopping prostate growth, shrinking it or relaxing muscles to improve urine flow. In severe cases, medical procedures or surgery can provide relief. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; MedlinePlus; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; UpToDate DID YOU KNOW? Your Kern Legacy Health Plan covers preventive care visits with no cost-sharing when obtained from a contracted provider. For a list of your plan’s contracted providers, visit www.kerncountyhealthbenefits.com or call the customer service number on the back of your ID card. Prostate-specific antigen test A blood test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the level of PSA in the blood. PSA is a substance made by the prostate. The levels of PSA in the blood can be higher in men who have prostate cancer. The PSA level may also be elevated in other conditions that affect the prostate. As a rule, the higher the PSA level in the blood, the more likely a prostate problem is present. But many factors, such as age and race, can affect PSA levels. Some prostate glands make more PSA than others. PSA levels also can be affected by: ● Certain medical procedures. ● Certain medications. ● An enlarged prostate. ● A prostate infection. Because many factors can affect PSA levels, your doctor is the best person to interpret your PSA test results. If the PSA test is abnormal, your doctor may recommend a biopsy to find out if you have prostate cancer. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention SEPTEMBER PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODQ1MTY=