Getting older is certainly better than the alternative, but it comes with some unpleasant issues. For a man one of those is an enlarged prostate and all its urinary complications. It is impossible to ignore, and few men are spared once they reach a certain age. Let’s learn more about common urinary problems in men over 65.
BPH (Enlarged Prostate)
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is the term for a non-cancerous enlarged prostate. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland that surrounds the urethra. It has one growth spurt when a
male goes through puberty and then another when men are in their thirties. This gland produces fluid to protect and feed sperm, and it continues to enlarge until a man turns 70.
The enlargement causes urology changes as a man ages which can be the result of inflammation (prostatitis) of the prostate gland or even infection.
The most common symptom of BPH is difficulty emptying the bladder.
Other symptoms can include the following:
- Urinating frequently during the day
- Urinating several times during the night
- Urgency where the need becomes so great you can’t make to the toilet in time
- A slow urine stream when starting to pee
- Dribbling for a time after urinating
- The sensation that you need to go again after peeing
- The feeling that you haven’t emptied your bladder
Although these symptoms are annoying, treatment is available to get relief.
Additional risks of BPH can include bladder stones, UTIs, hematuria (blood in the urine), and bladder retention which can result in kidney injury or failure.
Worrisome Symptoms: When to See a Urologist
The following urinary symptoms should be evaluated by an experienced urologist like Advanced Urology of Southwest Louisiana in Lake Charles and Sulphur.
- Not being able to urinate
- Pain while urinating
- Blood in the urine
- Any type of unusual discharge from your penis
- Severe continuous incontinence or bladder leakage
These can be caused by an infection and need to be treated promptly. In addition to the above symptoms, don’t wait to see a doctor if you also develop fever, nausea, vomiting, or the inability to pass urine for 1 to 2 days.
Getting a Treatment Plan
Advanced Urology of Southwest Louisiana will evaluate your symptoms and look at other factors for your urinary problems like diabetes, heart disease, and your use of medications like diuretics which can cause these urinary symptoms.
If your symptoms are mild, we will recommend behavioral counseling like voiding and reducing triggers like caffeine and alcohol consumption.
If symptoms are moderate to severe, we may recommend alpha blockers to relax the prostate and reduce symptoms rather quickly. Other medications and minimally invasive surgery options may also be recommended.
You don’t have to live with urinary problems if you are over 65. We are here to help.
Contact Advanced Urology of Southwest Louisiana at (337) 480-7499 for an evaluation if you are having common urinary problems.