Question

Darius is 63 years old and began to awake at night to urinate. When he went to the bathroom, he had to strain to initiate the flow, and the stream of urine was weak. Over time, the pattern became more apparent during the day; he often had a sense of urinary urgency and felt he was going to the bathroom frequently. When he did, however, he did not always feel he had emptied his bladder, and he tended to dribble urine throughout the day. Much to his reluctance, his wife urged him to see a physician. At the doctor’s office, his case history was carefully taken and it was learned that Darius’s dad died 2 years ago due to prostate cancer. A digital rectal was performed, and lab work was ordered. His blood results were unremarkable, but his urinalysis showed an elevated white blood cell count and bacteria. His physician diagnosed Darius with benign prostatic hyperplasia and a urinary tract infection

1. How does BPH cause the signs and symptoms of bladder dysfunction?
2. Why was Darius prone to developing a urinary tract infection?
3. Why should Darius be concerned about developing prostate cancer?
4. What symptoms would occur if Darius developed prostate cancer?

Answer 1

Answer: BPH cause the signs and symptoms of bladder dysfunction as in the case where the prostate enlarges, it causes pressure on the urethra. This lead the walls of bladder to become thicker. Slowly this causes weakening of the bladder. Hence increase urine accumulation in the bladder.

Urinary infection increases as the accumulation of the urine in the bladder lead to improper infiltration. This causes increase risk of bacteria invasion. Hence urinary infection is common.

It is important to have proper diagnosis regarding the prostate. Because it can be treated at early stage. The increase risk of infection could give rise to other problems and health issues.

The symptoms of prostate cancer are:

• Pain during urination
• Frequent urge to urinate
• Urination at night
• Burning sensation.