In-depth analysis of prostate diseases: stage characteristics of hyperplasia, hematuria differentiation and early cancer screening

The prostate gland's primary function is to secrete prostatic fluid. However, with the development of prostate diseases, normal urination function in older men is affected. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) mainly has three stages: the first stage is characterized by frequent urination at night, affecting the patient's rest; the second stage is characterized by difficulty urinating, straining during urination, resulting in a large amount of residual urine in the bladder.

The third stage makes urination even more difficult, with urine appearing as dribbles, a larger amount of residual urine in the bladder, and even bedwetting at night. In daily life, avoid spicy foods and excessive alcohol consumption. Doctors remind the elderly to be cautious when taking medications such as belladonna, atropine, and propantheline, as these drugs can weaken the bladder muscle's ability to contract.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) typically develops after age 50. Early clinical manifestations include increased urination frequency, a shortened urine stream, and dribbling after urination. Another symptom that may appear is hematuria (blood in the urine). The most common cause of hematuria is benign lesions such as cystitis and urinary tract stones, but older adults should be particularly vigilant for urinary tract tumors.

Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) should have a thorough understanding of their condition and receive active treatment to minimize the possibility of hematuria. Recent reports indicate that 5 mg of finasteride has a certain hemostatic effect. In addition, the traditional Chinese medicine prostate powder, which clears heat and has a cooling and hemostatic effect, is also effective in treating hematuria caused by BPH.

In the past, prostate cancer was relatively rare among elderly men in my country, but with the aging of my country's population, the number of prostate cancer patients is increasing. Prostate cancer is a highly insidious malignant tumor, often without any symptoms in its early stages. Currently, there are three methods for early diagnosis of this disease: (1) Blood prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. This is a new and recognized method for early diagnosis of prostate cancer in recent years.

The level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood of normal elderly people is very low, usually below 4 micrograms/mL. In patients with prostate cancer, the level often exceeds 4 micrograms/mL. (2) Serum acid phosphatase assay. In elderly men with prostate cancer, the level of this enzyme in the serum can be increased to more than 10 King units. (3) Prostate biopsy.

A small biopsy can usually be obtained via the perineum or rectum using a special needle. If cancer cells are found in the biopsy tissue, an early diagnosis can be made. For the treatment of prostate cancer in elderly men, early-stage prostatectomy should be performed if there are no contraindications to surgery. Men sometimes experience urine stream splitting during urination. Generally, there are two types of urine stream splitting.

One type of urine stream splitting is infrequent and is caused by a temporary partial obstruction in the anterior urethra or urethral opening. For example, urine stream splitting upon waking in the morning is due to urine accumulating in the bladder overnight, resulting in greater pressure and impact. Sometimes, urine stream splitting can also occur after ejaculation because some semen remains in the urethra. Persistent urine stream splitting, however, may be a pathological condition.

Common causes include urethritis, which can lead to scarring and urethral stricture due to recurrent inflammation. Phimosis or paraphimosis causing partial urethral stricture, or small stones obstructing the urethra, can also cause urinary stream splitting. Additionally, men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may sometimes experience urinary stream splitting. In all these cases, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.