Men suffering from BPH may develop complications, including hematuria (blood in the urine), bladder infections, and even kidney damage due to pressure from an enlarged prostate pressing on their urethras. Understanding ‘How Does BPH Cause Hematuria’ and the role of prostate nutrition can offer deeper insights. Urologists will conduct evaluations and tests on patients to diagnose their conditions, while also collecting detailed medical histories from each of them.
1. Increased Pressure on the Urethra
Many men over 50 suffer from an enlarged prostate gland (BPH). An enlarged prostate can cause numerous urinary symptoms, including hesitancy when urinating, an interrupted or weak urine stream, a feeling that their bladder never quite empties itself and pain when urinating. Furthermore, complications like urinary tract infections, bladder stones or urinary retention can arise as a result. Luckily, effective treatments exist now for BPH and its related urinary symptoms.
Hematuria caused by BPH is often caused by increased pressure from an enlarged prostate on the urethra, which may irritate and rupture it, resulting in blood appearing in urine. Although not usually significant, its presence can be both painful and embarrassing.
If a man suffers from BPH, his doctor will conduct a digital rectal exam and run diagnostic tests, such as urine flow tests, transrectal ultrasound exams and cystoscopy exams to assess his condition.
Men with BPH may find relief through medications such as alpha-blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors; such treatments may help to shrink their prostate while relieving urinary symptoms; however, for some this relief may only be temporary as hematuria may resurface over time.
Referral to a urologist is often necessary in these instances for further evaluation and treatment of hematuria and its causes. A specialist can identify its source as well as develop an effective plan of attack for its treatment.
Some lifestyle changes may help people suffering from BPH to reduce hematuria and urinary symptoms, such as increased fluid consumption, cutting back on caffeine and alcohol consumption, as well as forgoing over-the-counter cold and sinus medications containing decongestants. It’s also recommended to get up and move around often during sedentary activities like sitting at a desk or car rides; doing this will increase blood flow to the prostate which in turn decreases symptoms.
2. Damage to the Urethra
Urethras are tubes used to excrete urine from our bodies. BPH can narrow it, leading to disruption during urination and possibly leading to bladder infections. Furthermore, BPH may irritate and swell up the urethra causing painful urination experiences for some individuals while for those experiencing more serious symptoms medical treatment or surgical interventions can provide relief.
Doctors still do not fully understand what causes BPH, though aging and hormone changes likely play a part. Older men typically have higher levels of dihydrotestosterone – a testosterone-like hormone which stimulates prostate cell growth causing it to expand, leading to blocked urine flows and an enlarged prostate gland.
Some men with mild symptoms of BPH don’t require treatment, while those who experience moderate or severe symptoms may find relief through several medicines such as alpha blockers that relax muscles in the prostate neck and bladder, including Tamsulosin, Doxazosin and Renin inhibitors; 5-alpha reductase inhibitors help reduce prostate size while improving urinary flow; these include Finasteride and Dutasteride as examples of such inhibitors.
BPH may be effectively treated through minimally invasive surgical procedure known as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). This process typically requires local anesthesia and involves inserting a tool called a resectoscope into the penis; its electrical loop cuts away tissue while light and electric current cut through blood vessels in the prostate to cut blood vessel connections in an effortless fashion.
BPH may recur and cause hematuria after treatment is administered, with symptoms that indicate its return including intermittency or urgency when passing urine, weak flow rate and straining when passing it.
As well as medications, urologists also offer alternative therapies for BPH like laser treatments which use an ablator or heat generated from light to cut away excess tissue and improve urethral openings. While less invasive than traditional surgery and with few side effects usually associated with it; more research needs to be conducted before committing to one treatment plan or another. It’s best to speak to your urologist first about what’s best suited for your symptoms before making this decision.
3. Urinary Tract Infections
If you are experiencing hematuria, it is vital that you seek medical advice immediately. Hematuria could be a warning sign of kidney disease or another serious medical issue; so early intervention is key.
Hematuria occurs when bacteria invade one or more components of the urinary tract, including the urethra, bladder or ureters. An infection in this area causes inflamed cells in your urinary system which then cause your urine to leak from this point forward and lead to bleeding into your urine supply.
Urologists will analyze your symptoms and history in order to diagnose hematuria. They may use digital rectal exam (for men) or pelvic exam (for women), and will also take urine samples for testing, using urinalysis to check for blood in urine as well as bacteria which could indicate infection or disease in your urinary tract. Imaging tests may also be ordered if necessary in order to check for abnormalities within your urinary tract.
Hematuria is most frequently caused by infection, although other conditions may also result in this symptom. Kidney stones are another source of hematuria; their painful and irritating presence often produces both macroscopic and microscopic amounts of urine leakage as well as additional symptoms like side/back/flank pain, vomiting and an urgent desire to urinate.
Cancers of the urologic tract can also contribute to hematuria. This includes bladder, kidney and prostate cancers – often first recognized through their characteristic urine flow patterns – with early detection and treatment becoming the key factor for cures.
Other conditions that can cause hematuria include sickle cell disease and endometriosis, an affliction affecting the tissues lining the uterus and bladder. Hematuria may also serve as a warning sign of kidney stones, renal failure or other serious diseases.
4. Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer, a malignancy affecting cells lining the bladder and urinary tract, can also result in blood in urine, known as hematuria. Hematuria may either be visible (red blood cells can be seen directly) or microscopic (small red blood cells are only detectable with a microscope).
When seeing blood in your urine, it is crucial to visit a physician immediately. Your physician will ask about your symptoms, recent activities and family medical history; then give a urine sample while conducting either a rectal or vaginal exam; as well as conducting tests such as blood tests or an ultrasound of kidneys and bladders.
Hematuria is the hallmark symptom of bladder cancer, caused by cancerous cells growing in the muscle layer (stage T1 or early tumor) or spreading into its fat lining (stage T2, advanced tumor), known as microscopic hematuria. Sometimes the tumors spread into other parts of the body such as the ureters or bowel.
BPH is caused by changes to testosterone and estrogen hormone levels over time, leading to an enlargement of the prostate and narrowing of urethra that prevents urine flow from leaving bladder. Symptoms may differ for each person affected, including pain during urination, urgency during use and weak urine stream.
No cure exists for BPH; however, treatment options may help relieve or diminish its symptoms. These could include medicine or devices, such as laser procedures or inserting a drainage tube to drain off fluid from your bladder – though more research needs to be conducted into potential solutions.
Beverage intake can help flush the urinary tract, improving urination and reducing hematuria symptoms. But make sure that you drink the recommended daily amount – about 1.5 litres – rather than all at once and in large gulps; doing this may put additional pressure on the prostate gland, so try drinking water throughout the day or in smaller amounts throughout the day for best results.
