A surgeon in Asokoro General Hospital, Abuja, Dr Offiong Etim, has recommended early treatment of severe enlarged prostrate to reduce associated risks.
He said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
He described prostate as a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system.
Etim also described an enlarged prostate as the gland that had grown bigger, which was often called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
According to him, the gland is made of two lobes enclosed by an outer layer of tissue which is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder, where urine is stored.
The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the canal through which urine passes out of the body.
The surgeon explained that enlarged prostrate was a common part of aging, saying that it is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man ages.
According to him, the prostate continues to grow during most of a man’s life; the enlargement doesn’t usually cause problems until late in life.
He stated that the condition usually caused no symptoms before age 40, but noted that men in their 60s and 90 per cent in their 70s and 80s have some symptoms.
The surgeon explained that cause of the condition was not known but stressed that it has been shown that it occurs mainly in older men and does not develop in men whose testes were removed before puberty.
He attributed increase of estrogen within the gland as contributory factor to the development of enlarged prostrate.
“As a man age, the amount of active testosterone in the blood decreases, leaving a higher proportion of estrogen thereby promoting cell growth.
He also blamed dihydrotestosterone (DHT), as another factor responsible for the development of the condition.
He explained dihydrotestosterone as a substance derived from testosterone if older men continue to produce and accumulate high levels of it in the prostate helps encourage the growth of cell.
Etim said that prevention of enlarged prostrate depended on healthy life style such as eating foods rich in fibre, drinking less alcohol and caffeine, among others.
He also encouraged emptying of the bladder always and drinking less of fluids at night as other measures of preventing the condition.
However, Etim said that early treatment was important in order to avoid complications and damage to the kidneys.
He noted that some of the cases may not need early treatment especially in patients with mild cases, saying condition may clear up on its own.
Although the need for treatment may not be urgent, he however advised for urgent medical help once the problem present a health risk.
He suggested regular checkups to watch for early problems and if the condition begins to pose a danger to the patient’s health.
He added that the condition may cause urinary tract infections and thereby suggested antibiotics to treat infection before treating the enlarged prostrate.
Etim also recommended the use of drugs that inhibit production of the hormone DHT, which increases prostate enlargement, saying that the use of them could either prevent progression of growth of the prostate or shrink the prostate in some men.
He also recommended removal of the enlarged part of the prostate, saying it is the long-term solution for patients with the condition.
He also suggested the latest procedure Urolift a non-invasive surgical procedure meant to lift or hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way so it would no longer block the urethra.
He therefore enjoined patients susceptible to enlarged prostrate to maintain a healthy life style in order to avoid risks associated with the condition.