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Whatever the severity of the symptoms, the patient must not try to remedy the situation by cutting down on his fluid intake, this will make matters worse. Instead, restrict drinking time to the earliest part of the day and do not drink tea or coffee after about 8 p.m. Spicy foods and alcohol should also be avoided. If life becomes really intolerable for the patient the best treatment is probably surgical, provided his heart, blood vessels and blood pressure are within normal limits.
Removal of the prostate gland is usually a safe and successful operation - probably in as many as 98 per cent of selected cases. There is always the possibility that enlargement of the gland is due to a cancerous growth. In this case, surgery will be necessary, combined with medication, but the patient stands a good chance of complete recovery. However, enlargement of the prostate gland is so common in old age that it can almost be described as normal.
Anyone beginning with even mild symptoms should get advice from the doctor before any serious complications occur.
Teacher: Michael
Many articles taken from 'A word with the doctor', by Dr. John Windsor.
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