Symptoms
Symptoms of enlarged prostate include frequent urination (especially if the man wakes up continually during the night to go to the bathroom), burning with urination and a discharge from the penis. Additionally, one can have a sensation of fullness behind the scrotum and in front of the rectum. These symptoms occur because infection makes the prostate gland swell.

When a man has an enlarged prostate, he will have a thin stream of urine which stops and starts rather than a full stream of urine. He may have difficulty starting his urinary stream and may often have dribbling after he finishes urinating. As the symptoms progress, the bladder may not empty entirely and urine is retained, increasing the risk of infection.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made by a rectal examination, urinalysis, a check of the discharged fluid for signs of infection or inflammation, a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and frequently with ultrasound.

Studies now show that PSA is a predictor of prostate size as well as prostate cancer. The larger the prostate, the higher the PSA. And the higher the PSA, the greater the urinary problems and the likelihood of needing surgery.  Typically, enlargement becomes an issue when the number goes above about 1.3 to 1.5, but we do also have to rule out cancer.

Ultrasound has proven a particularly useful tool in diagnosing enlargement. It allows us to produce an image of the bladder, which tells us how well a man is emptying his bladder. The device is handheld and totally painless.

In some cases we also have the man urinate into an apparatus that measures flow rate. Other men may benefit from developing a voiding diary, in which they record the amount of urine voided and the time. It may also be helpful to record fluid intake, since many men have problems when they drink too much, such as four beers right before bed.

Treatment may involve antibiotics, medications to shrink or relax the prostate, soaking in a warm tub of water and frequent ejaculation. (See not all medicine is bad, guys.) The goal is to avoid reaching the point of urinary retention, where the man can’t urinate at all. This can lead to catheterization or even surgery.

Treatment
For most patients suffering from an enlarged prostate who do not have kidney damage or serious infection, the ultimate decision must be left to the patient. While there are absolute indications of intervention, most situations depend on how bothersome the symptoms are to the individual. All options need to be discussed and considered along with their advantages and disadvantages.

Sometimes men may take antibiotics for a long period of time without any true benefit. In fact, many of these conditions are not infections but simply muscle spasms involving the prostate and surrounding tissue. This is a condition called prostatosis or prostadynia. Treatment for this includes muscle relaxants and warm baths. Hytrin or Cardura, typically used for high blood pressure are also muscle relaxants and have been shown to be successful. These days, however, Flowmax or Uroxitrol are more often prescribed.

Over the past several years, a large amount of research has been done on the prostate gland and BPH. Doctors now know more and can provide more useful treatments. Always look into the latest treatment alternatives—there are constantly new treatments coming out. Check back with http://www.maleprostatenews.com for the latest updates on treatment news.