Prostate Health- Diagnosis Of Enlarged Prostate
Prostate Health - Diagnosis of Enlarged Prostate
By James E. Bailey
When experiencing signs of an enlarged prostate it is always advisable to go see your doctor immediately to have proper diagnosis and treatment. There are many factors behind the occurrence of an enlarged prostate but the most common is age, as this occurs typically in men age 50 and above. If the GP suspects an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) you may be referred to a specialist, called a urologist. Several tests would be needed for the doctor to fully make an enlarged prostate diagnosis. The tests needed would vary from one patient to another but most common are the following:
Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) - this is the first test done and it takes a minute or two to perform. The doctor would insert a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel the size of the prostate gland near the rectum to get a general understanding as to how big it is.
Next type of test would be the PSA Blood Test or the Prostate-Specific Antigen Blood Test, this is conducted alongside the DRE exam to help physicians rule out cancer.
Another type of commonly administered exam is the Rectal Ultrasound wherein a probe is inserted into the patient's rectum directing sound waves at the prostate creating echo patterns which will form an image of the prostate glands on the display screen for the doctor to analyze.
There's also the Uroflowmetry or simply put the urine flow study which doctors will sometimes recommend to study the urine flow. Often performed in the doctor's clinic, the patient is made to urinate in a special device which measures how quickly the urine is flowing, the amount of urine and the time it takes for urination. A reduced urine flow rate may indicate that the patient has BPH.
Doctors would also require a cystoscopy to be performed wherein a small tube is inserted in to the opening of the urethra in the penis, this small tube called a cystoscope contains lens and a light system enabling the doctor to see the inside of the urethra and the bladder allowing the doctor to determine the size, location and the degree of obstruction.
Additional tests might be required by the urologist to give out proper diagnosis and to have a strong basis for treatment but the list above are the normal tests every patient suspected with BPH has to undergo.
By James E. Bailey
When experiencing signs of an enlarged prostate it is always advisable to go see your doctor immediately to have proper diagnosis and treatment. There are many factors behind the occurrence of an enlarged prostate but the most common is age, as this occurs typically in men age 50 and above. If the GP suspects an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) you may be referred to a specialist, called a urologist. Several tests would be needed for the doctor to fully make an enlarged prostate diagnosis. The tests needed would vary from one patient to another but most common are the following:
Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) - this is the first test done and it takes a minute or two to perform. The doctor would insert a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel the size of the prostate gland near the rectum to get a general understanding as to how big it is.
Next type of test would be the PSA Blood Test or the Prostate-Specific Antigen Blood Test, this is conducted alongside the DRE exam to help physicians rule out cancer.
Another type of commonly administered exam is the Rectal Ultrasound wherein a probe is inserted into the patient's rectum directing sound waves at the prostate creating echo patterns which will form an image of the prostate glands on the display screen for the doctor to analyze.
There's also the Uroflowmetry or simply put the urine flow study which doctors will sometimes recommend to study the urine flow. Often performed in the doctor's clinic, the patient is made to urinate in a special device which measures how quickly the urine is flowing, the amount of urine and the time it takes for urination. A reduced urine flow rate may indicate that the patient has BPH.
Doctors would also require a cystoscopy to be performed wherein a small tube is inserted in to the opening of the urethra in the penis, this small tube called a cystoscope contains lens and a light system enabling the doctor to see the inside of the urethra and the bladder allowing the doctor to determine the size, location and the degree of obstruction.
Additional tests might be required by the urologist to give out proper diagnosis and to have a strong basis for treatment but the list above are the normal tests every patient suspected with BPH has to undergo.
Labels: enlargedprostatesymptoms
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