Health Desk. With increasing age, many changes start taking place in the body of men. Some of these changes are normal, while some may also be a sign of a serious health problem. One such problem is prostate related disease. The prostate is a small gland of the male reproductive system, which is located below the urinary bladder. Its size may increase with increasing age. Many times, this causes difficulty in urinating.
According to experts, problems like enlargement of prostate, swelling in it or prostate cancer can affect the health of men. Especially after the age of 40, men should pay attention to the changes in their body. However, not every problem related to urination is a sign of prostate cancer. Despite this, if some symptoms continue to appear, it is important to consult a doctor.
1. Problem of frequent urination
If you have to urinate more often than usual, do not ignore it. Frequent waking up, especially at night, to urinate may be associated with prostate enlargement. In this condition, there is pressure on the bladder and the person feels the urge to urinate frequently. If this problem persists then consult a doctor.
2. Difficulty in starting urination
Some men take a long time to start urinating. Despite several attempts, the flow of urine does not start immediately. This may be a common symptom of an enlarged prostate. If you are also facing this kind of problem, then do not ignore it considering it to be a normal effect of age.
3. Weak urine stream
Increasing size of the prostate gland can put pressure on the urethra. Due to this, the stream of urine starts coming weaker or intermittently than before. Sometimes it takes more time than usual to urinate. If such changes are seen continuously, it is important to seek medical advice.
4.Feeling of residual urine
If even after urinating it seems that the bladder has not been completely emptied, this can also be a sign of a prostate-related problem. Some people feel the need to urinate again after some time. Ignoring this problem for a long time can increase the problem.
5. Blood in urine or pain
Seeing blood in urine can be a serious warning. Apart from this, there may also be a problem of burning or pain while urinating. However, such symptoms can also be caused by infection, stones and other diseases. Therefore, it is important to get examined by a doctor to know their exact cause. Seek medical advice immediately if there is blood in the urine.
How is the prostate examined?
To diagnose prostate related problems, doctors take information about the patient's symptoms and health history. If necessary, some tests may be advised.
PSA Test: The level of prostate specific antigen is seen through a blood test. An increased PSA does not always mean cancer.
DRE test: The doctor examines the size and shape of the prostate through the rectum.
Ultrasound: Information about the size of the prostate and the amount of urine left in the bladder can be obtained.
Urine Test: Helps in detecting the presence of infection or blood in urine.