Prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is common in aging men. It occurs when the prostate gland enlarges, potentially causing urinary symptoms as it surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder
Published Dec 01, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 01, 2024 | 7:00 AM
prostate enlargement
Let’s imagine your bladder is like a water balloon with a garden hose coming out of it to let the water flow. The hose represents your urethra, the tube that expels urine from the body. Surrounding this garden hose is a rubber band, which represents the prostate.
When you’re young, the rubber band is small and loose, allowing water to flow easily through the garden hose. However, as men age, the rubber band, or prostate, often grows larger, squeezing the garden hose tighter and making it harder for the water, or urine, to flow through.
As this rubber band tightens, it can cause several problems. If the rubber band presses too hard, it takes extra effort to start the water flowing, and the stream might become weak or stop and start unpredictably. When water cannot leave the balloon quickly enough, the balloon can overfill, leading to discomfort or even a situation where it cannot empty properly. If the balloon has to push harder to force water through the narrow hose, it can become weaker or overstretched over time.
In some cases, the balloon might become so full that it starts leaking, even when it’s not supposed to. If water stays in the balloon for too long, it can grow germs, leading to infections. Additionally, particles in the water can sometimes clump together and form stones inside the balloon.
This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), commonly known as prostate enlargement. Although it is not cancer, it can cause bothersome and sometimes serious problems if left untreated.
Prostate enlargement, medically known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a common condition in aging men. It occurs when the prostate gland increases in size. This enlargement can lead to urinary symptoms because the prostate surrounds the urethra, which is the tube responsible for carrying urine from the bladder out of the body.
Treatment for BPH often begins with medication and, if necessary, progresses to surgery. However, both approaches have their limitations, especially for younger patients:
Medications: While medications can delay the need for surgery, their effectiveness may decrease over time.
Surgery: Surgical options often provide relief but come with risks such as erectile dysfunction and issues with ejaculation, which can be particularly distressing for sexually active and younger individuals.
“Medications can delay the need for surgery, but over time, their effectiveness diminishes. Patients who delay surgery often experience poorer outcomes. Additionally, both medications and surgical treatments can cause sexual health issues like erectile dysfunction and ejaculation problems, which can be especially concerning for younger, sexually active individuals,” said Dr C Mallikarjuna, Managing Director and Chief Consultant Urologist at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU) in a statement.
Prostate enlargement is a common condition among older men, affecting approximately 50 percent of men over 60 and up to 90 percent of those over 80. While the exact cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) remains unclear, it is thought to be linked to hormonal changes that occur with aging, particularly an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen levels, which may drive the growth of prostate cells.
The AINU specialty hospital network, renowned for its expertise in urology and nephrology, and based in Hyderabad, has introduced Rezum Water Vapor Therapy—the first-of-its-kind treatment in both the telugu states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This innovative therapy is highly effective for young to middle-aged patients experiencing moderate prostate issues.
According to the hospital, Rezum Water Vapor Therapy represents a breakthrough in addressing these concerns, offering noticeable results within 15 days to a month.
The therapy works similarly to the earlier analogy of the rubber band. Imagine using warm steam to gently melt and shrink the extra part of the tight rubber band, making it smaller and looser again. The steam is delivered in tiny bursts, acting like a precise tool to soften and shrink the excess parts of the rubber band without damaging the hose. Over the course of a few weeks, the rubber band gradually returns to the right size, allowing water to flow freely again. Most patients require only one treatment to resolve the issue, though a second session may be necessary in rare cases.
Medically, this treatment uses steam delivered via injection to target and shrink the excess prostate tissue that compresses the urinary tract. The procedure is minimally invasive and can be performed under local anesthesia. The steam’s natural energy works to gradually eliminate the extra tissue, with results becoming evident in a short period. Typically, one session is sufficient, and rarely a second treatment might be needed, explained Dr C Mallikarjuna.
“The key advantage of this water vapor therapy is that it does not cause erectile dysfunction or ejaculation problems,” he emphasised, adding that only 10 percent of patients treated with Rezum might require traditional surgery within 10 to 15 years.
Dr. Mallikarjuna further explained that this therapy is particularly beneficial for patients with heart conditions or those on blood-thinning medications, as these patients often face challenges with traditional prostate treatments that require stopping such medications for extended periods. With Rezum, the interruption is minimal, making the procedure safer for these individuals. Post-treatment, patients may need to take antibiotics and pain relievers, and a catheter is typically required for a maximum of 10 days.
While Rezum Water Vapor Therapy offers significant benefits, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It may not be suitable for patients with very large prostates or those with prostate complications. However, it remains highly effective for young to middle-aged patients with moderate prostate issues, Dr. Mallikarjuna clarified.
Commenting on the introduction of Rezum Water Vapor Therapy, Sandeep Guduru, Chief Executive Officer of the AINU, said, “Rezum Water Vapor Therapy is the latest step in ensuring a comprehensive range of treatments for BPH. The incidence of BPH has been increasing in India, and it is vital to provide access to the latest technologies and treatments. This new therapy offers a viable option for patients who may have previously been restricted by comorbidities.”
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
