Enlarged Prostate/Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Treatment in Abu Dhabi, UAE

What is Enlarged Prostate or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland, located just below the urinary bladder, with the urethra (the tube connecting the bladder to the outside of the body) running through the middle of the prostate. It commonly affects men over 45 and can lead to various urination challenges.

Diagnosis of Enlarged Prostate

Diagnosis depends on symptom severity, medical history, and clinical examination. The doctor will assess your condition and may recommend one or more tests:

• Urine Flow Study: You’ll be asked to use a special bathroom where you will urinate into a funnel connected to a device that measures urine volume, flow rate, and duration. This helps assess the severity of your problem.
• Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test: A blood test that measures PSA levels, which can indicate prostate activity and help determine if enlargement is due to benign conditions or cancer.
• Imaging: Ultrasound or prostate MRI may be used to confirm the diagnosis.

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Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate

• • A strong, sudden urge to urinate that can lead to dribbling before reaching the bathroom.
  • Frequent urination at night, waking up more than twice to go.
  • Burning sensation during urination, straining, and sometimes inability to urinate.
  • Weak urine flow, possibly with blood droplets.
  • Feeling of incomplete urination, with dribbling afterward.

What Causes an Enlarged Prostate (BPH)?

The main cause of an enlarged prostate is still unknown, but factors such as age and hormonal changes can affect prostate enlargement.

What are the Treatment Options for an Enlarged Prostate?

The doctor will create a treatment plan based on your condition, which may include one of the following options:

• Lifestyle Changes
  For mild cases where no intervention is needed, your urologist may recommend:
  • Drink less fluid in the evening and empty your bladder before outings or activities where access to a toilet may be difficult.
  • Limit fizzy drinks, alcohol, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners, as they can irritate the bladder.
  • Increase fiber intake to prevent constipation, which can pressure the bladder and worsen symptoms.
• Medications
  Medications aim to relax the bladder and prostate muscles to improve symptoms. Your urologist may prescribe one or more of the following medications:
  • Alpha-blockers (like tamsulosin) to help with urine flow.
  • 5-alpha reductase inhibitors to reduce prostate size.
  • Diuretics for daytime urine control and desmopressin at night to reduce nighttime urination.
• Surgery
  Surgical options have improved significantly, leading to quicker recovery. Options include:
• Laser Treatments
  These procedures provide quick surgery with no scars, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. They include:
  • Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP): Laser fibers are inserted through the urethra to remove obstructing prostate tissue if prostate weight is more than 100gm.
  • GreenLight XPS: A laser is directed through a small tube inserted into the urethra to destroy prostate tissue, allowing for quick recovery if prostate weight is between 30 to 80 gm.
• Transurethral Prostate Resection: A device is inserted through the urethra to remove parts of the prostate, allowing urine to pass more easily if prostate weight is between 30 to 80 gm.
• Prostate Artery Embolization: A catheter is guided to the prostate’s blood vessels using X-ray. Materials are injected to reduce blood flow, helping to shrink the prostate. This can be done under local anesthesia is some selected cases.
• Open Prostatectomy: The obstructing part of the prostate is removed through an incision. This can also be performed laparoscopically (keyhole surgery) for larger prostates.

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Post-Treatment Care for Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

You’ll go to a recovery room right after surgery, where the hospital staff will monitor your heart rate, breathing, oxygen levels, and other vital signs. Once stable, you’ll be moved to one of our hospital’s patient care rooms.

You’ll typically stay in our hospital for one or two days after surgery. After moving to your room, our urologist will check on you and inform you when you will be discharged. If you had laser surgery, you may even be able to go home the same day.

During the initial recovery period, you’ll receive medication to help manage any pain, and our urologist will monitor you in the outpatient clinic once or twice in the following weeks.

A small, flexible catheter will be placed through the urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the outside) into your bladder (where urine is stored) to help drain urine while your prostate heals. This catheter will be removed 6 to 24 hours after laser surgery, but it may remain in place for a few days after other types of prostate surgery. In case you go home with it, our nurse will teach you how to clean it with soap and water to prevent infection.

Your doctor will also provide instructions for your care once you’re home, ensuring a smooth recovery.

What is the Recovery Time After Treatment for Enlarged Prostate (BPH)?

After one week, you can go back to work but try to avoid lifting heavy objects and wait until after the second week to resume sexual activity. Full recovery typically takes about 4 to 6 weeks. It’s important to take it easy during this time to support your healing.

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What are The Risks of Untreated Enlarged Prostate (BPH)?

Not treating an enlarged prostate can lead to serious problems, so it’s important to pay attention to your health. Here’s what you might face:

• Difficulty urinating: You may find it hard to urinate, and in some cases, a catheter may be needed to help you pass urine. If you seek medical advice early, medications might be enough to manage the situation instead of resorting to surgery.
• Increased risk of infections (UTIs): If you can’t fully empty your bladder, the risk of infection rises. Frequent infections can worsen your symptoms and may eventually require surgery to remove part of the prostate instead of just treating the infection.
• Bladder stones: These can develop when the bladder isn’t emptied completely, due to the buildup of urine salts. This can lead to discomfort, irritation, blood in the urine, and blocked flow.
• Bladder damage: A bladder that doesn’t empty properly can stretch and weaken over time, making it even harder to urinate.
• Kidney damage: Increased pressure in the bladder can harm your kidneys and allow infections to spread from the bladder to the kidneys.

Why Choose Reem Hospital for Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

At Reem Hospital Abu Dhabi, we bring together a team of experienced surgeons with over extensive combined expertise and state-of-the-art technology. This makes us a trusted center for treating BPH. With a strong emphasis on continuous medical education, we stay updated on the latest advancements in innovative treatments for BPH, ensuring that we provide the highest level of personalized care for our patients.

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