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Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – Who among us has not felt the desire to answer the call of nature when suddenly there is strong pressure in the bladder and the urge to urinate becomes more urgent?
The British King Charles III may also have had this impulsiveness. who was admitted to a London hospital on Friday before deciding to undergo prostate surgery.
Why do we feel the urgent need to urinate?
The kidneys produce urine, and then liquid waste travels to the bladder through channels called ureters. Similar to a balloon, the bladder expands to store urine. When it’s time to urinate, the bladder contracts to release stored urine, which drains through the urethra.
In the male urinary tract, the urethra runs through a part of the reproductive system called the prostate and then through the penis.
The prostate, which is about the size of a walnut, is located directly below the bladder, in front of the rectum and surrounds the urethra. The function of the prostate is to produce a nutrient-rich fluid that transports sperm.
As the body ages, factors such as family history, lifestyle and hormonal changes can lead to prostate enlargement. This common condition, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, varies in severity and symptoms often begin around age 50.
The size of the prostate can range from a walnut to larger than a baseball. Prostate growth does not necessarily cause symptoms. Your primary care doctor or urologist can estimate the size through a digital rectal exam as part of routine exams. An ultrasound or MRI scan can also measure the size of the prostate.
Doctors assess the size of the prostate and possible symptoms. A slightly enlarged prostate can cause noticeable symptoms such as obstructed urine flow or increased frequency of urination, especially at night. Severe enlargement may not cause any symptoms.
If you notice changes in urination, contact your doctor.
There are effective medical and surgical options to improve your condition if prostate enlargement interferes with your daily life.
Like many people who suffer from these symptoms, King Charles likely chose prostate surgery out of a similar need for relief and improved quality of life.
His condition highlights the need to pay attention to these symptoms and seek medical advice. Prostate health is a central aspect of men’s health, and advances in treatment options offer hope and solutions to those affected.
Medical treatment options
To evaluate your condition, doctors will ask about your urinary pattern, assess the severity of the disease, and may perform laboratory tests for kidney function and screening for prostate cancer. This comprehensive assessment guides the treatment plan.
There are several medical options available to treat prostate enlargement, each tailored to the severity of symptoms and the patient’s overall health.
Alpha-blocker medications such as tamsulosin and alfuzosin are often used to relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making urination easier.
For people with large prostate glands, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor may be recommended. This class of medications, such as finasteride and dutasteride, cause the prostate to shrink over time. In some cases, a combination of these drug classes is used to provide more effective symptom relief.
Surgical options for prostate enlargement
- Open prostatectomy
This procedure, rarely performed today, can be performed through an incision in the lower abdomen or through robotic surgery to remove part of the prostate.
This option is usually limited to very large areas of the prostate and carries a higher risk of complications such as bleeding and infection.
The procedure may require a day or two in the hospital, and it is not an appropriate surgical procedure to remove the entire prostate if a person has prostate cancer.
- Transurethral resection of the prostate
It is a less invasive option and involves a transurethral resection of the prostate by inserting an endoscope through the urethra to remove excess prostate tissue using bipolar energy. This procedure improves urinary symptoms with a shorter recovery period, but carries risks such as bleeding and possible effects on sexual function. The patient can go home the same day or stay in the hospital overnight for observation.
- Prostate lift
The simple procedure involves inserting small implants to lift and support the enlarged prostate tissue, allowing urine to flow. It is a quick procedure, has a short recovery time and reduces the risk of impotence.
The procedure falls under outpatient surgery, meaning the patient goes home on the same day.
- Steam treatment
The steam destroys excess prostate cells. This minimally invasive procedure is effective, has a low risk of side effects, and allows for a quick return to normal activities. This outpatient option does not require an overnight hospital stay.
What to expect after prostate surgery
The medical team may place a catheter for a short time to make urination easier. It is also common to notice blood in the urine a few weeks after surgery. Depending on the procedure, sexual function may be temporarily impaired, but most patients regain normal function over time.
Urinary symptoms such as frequency, urgency, or difficulty urinating may persist for several weeks or months after the procedure. Recovery times can vary, with minimally invasive procedures typically allowing a quicker return to normal activities than more extensive surgeries.
It is important to note that benign prostatic hyperplasia is not associated with prostate cancer and does not increase the risk of cancer. However, this disease can make it difficult to detect prostate cancer early. Therefore, regular exams, including digital rectal exams and discussions with your doctor, are critical for a comprehensive approach to prostate health.
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