Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Men’s Health Clinic Diagnostic Interventions
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers to prostate gland enlargement. It is also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy and is a common urological condition. In benign prostatic hyperplasia, the enlarged prostate gland can compress the urethra, leading to problems with emptying the bladder. Here are some diagnostic interventions a men's health clinic can offer so that BPH can be discovered and treated early on.
Medical History Questions
A men's health clinic physician will take a detailed medical history from you to learn about your symptoms, which may include having problems initiating urination, urinary retention, blood in the urine, urinary incontinence, and in some cases, sexual dysfunction.
The doctor will also ask you if you have any risk factors for developing benign prostatic hyperplasia. These may include a history of frequent bladder infections, bladder stones, and urethral stricture, also known as urethral narrowing.
Family history may also play a role in developing BPH. This means that you may be at a greater risk for benign prostatic hyperplasia if your father or other family members had the condition. Other risk factors may include obesity, diabetes, inactivity, and smoking, which may play a role in prostate inflammation.
Digital Rectal Exam, Blood Tests, And Imaging Procedures
The men's health clinic physician will also perform a digital rectal examination to assess your prostate gland. For this exam, the doctor will gently insert a gloved finger that has been lubricated into the rectum. The prostate gland will be palpated to assess for inflammation and irregular textures. If abnormalities are detected during the digital rectal examination, a blood test known as a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) will be performed.
If your PSA levels are elevated, diagnostic imaging tests such as an ultrasound or magnetic imaging resonance (MRI) may be recommended. While an elevated PSA can indicate the presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia, it may also indicate the presence of prostate carcinoma, also called prostate cancer. In addition, if the ultrasound or MRI reveals abnormalities of the prostate gland, the men's health clinic physician may recommend a biopsy. During a biopsy, the physician will remove a small piece of tissue from the prostate gland so that it can be analyzed under a microscope and assessed for abnormal cellular changes.
If you experience any of the above signs or symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, reach out to a company such as Viking Man, INC. When both BPH and prostate cancer are treated during their early stages, an excellent prognosis may be more likely
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