Dubai — The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in men that surrounds the urethra, a tube through which urine and semen pass. It plays a crucial role in forming seminal fluids.
Prostate issues can include infections, often affecting men under 50, and enlargement, which affects nearly half of men over 50 and up to 70% of those over 80. According to Dr. Moamen Amin Abdelrahim, Consultant Urologist at Zulekha Hospital in Dubai, these are common problems, while prostate cancer, a malignant condition, occurs in older men.
In men under 50, prostatitis, an infection usually caused by bacteria, is prevalent. Symptoms include burning urination, frequent urination, fever, or fatigue. Treatment involves antibiotics to eliminate bacteria and medications to relieve symptoms.
For men over 50 with urination issues, an enlarged prostate (BPH) may be the culprit. As men age, the prostate grows, squeezing the urethra and affecting urine flow, leading to:
1. Frequent and urgent urination, often waking up several times at night.
2. Difficulty starting urination despite urgency.
3. Weak urine stream.
4. Small urine amounts each time.
5. Feeling the need to urinate even after just finishing.
6. Urine leakage or dribbling.
7. Occasional blood in urine.
Advanced disease can cause recurrent infections, stone formation, urine retention requiring catheterization, and potentially kidney damage.
Treatment options include monitoring mild cases or using medications to ease symptoms and reduce prostate size. Surgery might be necessary if medications aren’t effective. Minimally invasive procedures, such as laser, ultrasound, microwave, or needle ablation, can remove part of the obstructing prostate. These are recommended for patients unsuitable for major surgery due to other health issues.
The standard treatment involves removing obstructive prostatic tissue through the urethra for prostates under 80 grams, or open surgery for larger ones. Laser enucleation is an alternative for large prostates but is not yet widely accessible. news@khaleejtimes.com
