Question

My brother has just been diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). This is so new to me. I do not know anything about the condition and have some questions for the nurse:

1. What is BPH and what causes it?
2. Are we at risk for getting BPH? (Hint: risk factors)
3. What are the signs and symptoms of BPH?
4. Are there any medical tests or labs that are done to help confirm the diagnosis?
5. Are there any medications used to treat this condition?
6. Are there any special nursing considerations when caring for with BPH?
7. Are there any psychosocial considerations that I need to know about to care for him

Answer 1

1. BPH means Benign prostate hyperplasia, it means Non-canncerous enlargement of the prostate gland in males.

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system, the gland is present just below the urinary bladder and on both sides of the urethra.

The enlargement of the prostate blocks the urethra and disturbed the flow of urine while coming out of the bladder.

2.

Risk factors of BPH include

a. Hormonal changes in male body

b. The excess level of dihydrotestosterone in blood

c. The excess level of estrogen in the male body.

d. Urinary tract infection

e. Prostatitis (infection of prostate gland)

f. Bladder Cancer

g. Aging

H. Diabetes and Heart disease

I. Inactive lifestyle

3.

Signs and symptoms of BPH include

- Increases the frequency of urination and decrease flow of urine.

- Nocturia (Increase frequency at night)

- Difficulty to start urination

- Pain while urination.

- Always urge to urinate

- Blood in urine

4.

Diagnostic tests to confirm BPH

- History collection, clinical examination, and physical examination

- Rectal examination (Prostate is present just in front of the rectum so, by inserting a finger into rectum you can feel enlarged prostate)

- Cystoscopy and Ultrasonography of bladder and prostate give clear data about the size of the prostate.

- Urine analysis, PSA antigen test, can also be done to rule out the causes.

- Urodynamic pressure and uroflowmetry can also be done to rule out the blockage percentage.