由 home-healthhaven 
As we approach ‘Movember’, a month dedicated to raising awareness for prostate cancer through sponsored mustache growing, Mr. Zaf Maan, a urologist at Oak’s Hospital, shares valuable insights on men’s health and prostate disease.
### Understanding Prostate Enlargement
As men age, their prostate can enlarge, leading to urinary issues that disrupt daily life and sleep. Thankfully, treatments like medication or surgery can significantly improve quality of life.
### What is Prostate Enlargement?
Prostate enlargement is the most common issue for aging men. The prostate is a gland located at the base of the bladder, with the urethra passing through it. For men over 40, it’s quite common for the prostate to enlarge, causing a blockage in the urethra. It’s important to note that this condition is typically not related to prostate cancer.
### Symptoms of Prostate Enlargement
An enlarged prostate can slow urine flow, causing a range of symptoms:
– A sensation of incomplete bladder emptying
– Longer times spent at the toilet
– Increased frequency of urination
– Dribbling urine after finishing
Additionally, men may experience urgency or frequent nighttime urination, which can disrupt sleep for both them and their partners.
### When to Seek Medical Advice
If these symptoms interfere with your daily life, it’s time to see a urologist. Men often delay seeking help, even for severe symptoms, with partners or spouses typically noticing the worsening over time.
There’s a known link between erectile dysfunction and urinary symptoms, so discussing both with your urologist can be beneficial. ‘Red-flag’ symptoms like blood in the urine, bladder infections, or urinary incontinence require urgent medical attention.
### Non-Surgical Treatments
For mild cases, lifestyle changes can help. Medications are effective for moderate symptoms and typically have minimal side effects. For more severe cases, surgery might be necessary.
### Surgical Options
If you opt for surgery, you’ll undergo a pre-operative assessment at Oak’s Hospital. The surgery, called a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), involves inserting a special endoscope through the urethra to remove part of the prostate, thereby widening the urine passage. This procedure usually requires a hospital stay of one or two nights.
### Prostate Cancer Concerns
Prostate enlargement is usually not linked to cancer. However, if you have urinary symptoms, your general practitioner or healthcare provider will likely test for prostate cancer to rule it out.