BPH Treatment and Medications
BPH
stands for Benign Prostrate Hyperplasia. It is a condition in which the prostate (male reproductive gland) gets
enlarged beyond usual size. This medical problem is faced by men as they grow older. Such enlargement of
prostate is not malignant and refutes the odds of prostate cancer.
BPH strikes with several
associated problems affecting patient’s kidney, bladder, and urinary system. The doctor analyses the symptoms
and condition of patient in order to decide the pertinent treatment that may range from surgery and therapies to
medications. Patients of BPH are advised to be on medications once the symptoms of this ailment start appearing.
Taking medicines becomes even more important if their other bodily functions also start getting affected.
Medical experts advise BPH patients to avoid taking any drug until their symptoms are unrelenting and cause
obstructions in their day to day activities.
Let us gain some knowledge
about medications that are prescribed to BPH patients –
Alpha
Blockers
Alpha blockers work towards
relieving muscles and tissues surrounding prostrate and bladder opening. This medication is focused on relaxing
muscles and does not attempt shrinking of prostate’s size. Doctors prescribe this class of drugs when patients
start experiencing reserved symptoms of BPH. Some of the familiar alpha blockers are - Doxazosin mesylate,
Tamsulosin hydrochloride,
Terazosin hydrochloride, Silodosin, and Alfuzosin
hydrochloride
Alpha blockers come with
few insignificant side effects like fatigue, weakness, giddiness, dizziness, congestion and headaches. Another
known side effect of this medication is misleading ejaculation of semen towards bladder instead of urethra.
Nonetheless, the right amount of dosage of alpha blockers results in minimal side effects that eventually
disappear as the medicines are ceased from taking.
5-alpha Reductase Enzyme
Inhibitors
These medications benefit
BPH patients by reducing the size of enlarged prostate. The levels of androgen hormones also get regulated by
these medicines. Patients also feel ease in passing urine after taking this medicine. Some of the commonly known
5-alpha reductase enzyme inhibitors are Dutasteride and Finasteride
The prominent side effects
of taking these medications are dwindling sexual desire, ejaculatory dysfunction and erectile dysfunction.
Patients also complain of recurrent headaches and drowsy feeling. Though 5-alpha Reductase Enzyme Inhibitors are
successful in treating enlarged prostrate, they are known to be less effective than alpha blockers.
Antibiotics
Chronic BPH patients are
also recommended to take antibiotics to get relieved of associated maladies. Some of the common antibiotics
prescribed to BPH patients include Ciprofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, tetracycline, and
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. These antibiotic medications leave some common side effects like indigestion, and
diarrhea.
Plant Extracts
Apart from the above mentioned medications few plants and plant extracts are also beneficial for BPH patients. One
of those plant extracts is saw palmetto. Though this plant extract is not used as a direct medication, men
suffering from BPH use it as a vital health stimulant. Cernilton is another plant extract that is a known remedy
for relaxing muscles surrounding the urethra. It also aids in treating severe non-bacterial
prostatitis.
However proven, the BPH
medications must always be taken after consulting the doctor. He would consider the severity of patient’s
symptoms and then advise accordingly.
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