Enlarged Prostate Specialist in Kansas City, KS

Minimally Invasive, Non-Surgical Treatment at Kansas University Medical Center

An enlarged prostate, or BPH, is a common condition that men experience as they age. In fact, most men will experience symptoms of BPH as they reach their 50s or 60s. The good news is there are a number of effective treatment options available. The University of Kansas -Interventional Radiology provides testing and treatment for BPH in men located in or around Kansas City. To learn more about the symptoms of BPH and your treatment options, please call our BPH treatment center in Kansas City or Overland Park at (913) 588-1030 to schedule your consultation with our interventional radiologists today.

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What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH?

Simply put, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, or BPH, is an enlarged prostate. As a man ages, the prostate naturally grows in size. The first time this occurs is early in puberty, and the second time this occurs is in the mid-20s and continues throughout a man’s life. While the prostate will typically stay the size of a walnut, it could continue to grow over time and push down on your urethra, which is the tube that moves urine from the bladder outside of the body.

Common Symptoms of BPH

As the prostate enlarges and pushed on the urethra, urinary issues may begin to develop. These symptoms can include, but are not limited to:

• Frequent Need to Urinate (both at night and during the day).
• Weak Urinary Stream.
• Inability to Empty Your Bladder Completely.
• Straining During Urination.
• Dribbling at the End of Urinating.

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you are not alone. Nearly half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 have BPH, and up to 90% of men over the age of 80 have BPH. However, there are treatment options that can help you ease your symptoms.

Risk Factors Affecting BPH

Obviously, a man’s age has an effect on his prostate. Family history can also play a significant role in the development of BPH.

If a man’s father or brothers have had an enlarged prostate, there is a higher risk that he will develop the same issue. In addition, white and black men have a higher risk of experiencing BPH problems compared to Asian men.

When to See a Doctor About BPH

Common symptoms of BPH include dribbling after urinating, frequent urination of more than 8 times a day, finding it difficult to start and stop urination, waking up to urinate at night, and a weak stream.

Don’t wait to seek treatment. If you become incontinent and cannot control urination, experience pain or a burning sensation when urinating, or discover blood in the urine, contact Interventional Radiology at The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, KS to learn about our minimally invasive nonsurgical treatment for BPH.

No Time Like the Present

You can’t turn back the clock or change your family, but you can manage prostate health at whatever age you are right now. There are lifestyle changes you can adopt today to improve prostate health and manage any symptoms.

Consider the Prostate Diet as a way to minimize symptoms. Some guidelines for this diet include the following:

• Become more active and exercise regularly since obesity increases the risk of developing BPH.
• Limit red meat and fatty foods. Choose more plant protein over animal protein because they have been proven to reduce the incidence of prostate disease.
• Men with BPH have a lower level of zinc in their bodies. You can find sources of natural zinc in foods like sesame seeds, almonds and pumpkin seeds.
• Add salmon to your weekly diet plan. Salmon contains omega 3 fatty acids beneficial for the prostate gland.
• Salad greens and vegetables are all healthy foods that help to keep your prostate in check. Include tomatoes, green peppers, avocados, broccoli, and kale in your salads.
• Avoid antihistamines and decongestants whenever possible as they can exacerbate BPH symptoms. Limiting caffeine and alcohol can also help to reduce these symptoms.
• It’s easier said than done, but avoiding stress seems to go hand in hand with a healthy prostate.