The digital rectal exam will help diagnose BPH. Some doctors will evaluate your described symptoms objectively using the American Urological Association (AUA) Symptom Index. Using this, your doctor will ask you to rate the "bothersomeness" of seven obstructive and irritative voiding symptoms. Your responses to these questions will help the doctor to assess the severity of your BPH.
Other objective measures include:
Other objective measures include:
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Measuring the rate of urine flow out of the bladder (normal is at least 15 mL/sec).
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Measuring how much urine is left in the bladder after you have emptied it. This test is called Postvoid Residual Urine Volume (normal is 0 mL). If more than 25-30 ml of urine is left in the bladder after you have "urinated", there may be bladder-emptying failure, which may increase your risk for urinary tract infections.
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Prostate specific antigen (PSA) used in combination with a digital rectal exam of the prostate to screen for prostate cancer, which can also cause urinating difficulty. A PSA blood test looks for the presence of a protein that is produced specifically by prostate cells in the blood. The higher levels of this protein may indicate a prostate problem.
TREATMENT OF BPH
Most men with symptoms may not need treatment. They should be managed with "watchful waiting", which includes return visits to the doctor at 3 to 6 month intervals. If symptoms progress to moderate severity, medicine or surgery may be indicated.
Drug therapy for BPH can be divided into two groups
Drug therapy for BPH can be divided into two groups
1)
Medicines that interfere with testosterone's stimulation on prostate gland enlargement:
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Proscar® (finasteride)
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Avodart® (dutasteride)
2)
Medicines that relax the smooth muscle of the prostate:
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Hytrin® (terazosin)
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Cardura® (doxazosin)
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Flomax® (tamsulosin)
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Uroxatral® (alfuzosin)
Another treatment for men with moderate or severe symptoms of BPH or with complications of BPH is surgical removal of the prostate (prostatectomy). Surgical removal of the prostate offers the highest rate of symptom improvement, but also has the highest complication rate. Only you and your doctor can determine the best treatment option for you.
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Salem, NH 03079
Salem, NH 03079