Prostate is a gland found in males distal to bladder through which your urine pipe (urethra) goes. Gradually with age prostate also grows. At early 20’s, prostate size normally ranges from 18 to 22 grams. By the age of 60 years, it generally enlarges to more than 40 grams of weight. Once it is enlarged it occluded your urethra or urinary passage causing obstruction of urine flow.

As mentioned obstruction to urine flow leads to various urinary symptoms like slow urinary stream, increased frequency of urination, increased time taken to start urine, interruption in flow of urine, unable to hold urine, urine leakage, feeling of incomplete voiding, dribbling of urine after voiding, to get up at night for urine etc. To get up at night and unable to hold urine are the two most disturbing symptoms specially in old age.

There is no diet or food habit which can hold the progress of prostate enlargement. Speed of prostate enlargement is generally genetically controlled and you can’t do much about it.

When you must see your doctor?

Whenever you start having the above-mentioned symptoms you should consult your doctor (Urologist). He will ask you few questions to ascertain the severity of symptoms you are having due to prostate and will also rule out other causes which can present with similar symptoms. He will examine you properly and will do a digital rectal examination by inserting a finger in your anus to feel the prostate.

Investigations?

Urologist will ask for Urine routine analysis, prostate specific antigen (PSA), ultrasound and uroflowmetry. Uroflowmetry is a non-invasive test to measure your urine flow rate.

Management?

Analysing your symptoms and investigations, your doctor may ask you to go for either medical or surgical management.
Medical management consist of either of the medicines like alfuzosin, tamsulosin, silodosin, finasteride or dutasteride.
Standard surgical management includes TURP or trans urethral resection of prostate and HoLEP or Holmium Laser resection of prostate.