Management of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia: An Overview of α-Adrenergic Antagonist

Abstract

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is common among above 50 years age group, interfere with normal activities of lower urinary tract function and reduce the sense of well being. It can also be progressive, with a lost of urinary retention, bladder infection, bladder calculus and renal failure. Although many men with mild to moderate symptoms to well without therapy, others have gradually increasing symptoms and require medical therapy or surgery. BPH is the non-malignant, uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate gland. This cell growth usually occurs in the tissue that surrounds the urethra as it passes through the prostate gland to the bladder. As BPH progresses, the gland constricts the urethra and obstructs the urine outflow. The bladder no longer empties completely, creating an environment in which infections, bladder stones, and chronic prostatities may develop. If left untreated, chronic obstruction can lead to the back up of urine into the ureters and compromise kidney function. In hyperplastic prostate tissue, the prostate capsule, and the bladder neck are blocked, by using alpha-adrenergic antagonist drugs; the smooth muscle tone of these structures is decreased. As a result, resistance to urinary flow through the bladder neck and the prostatic urethra decreases and urinary flow increases. A variety of alpha-adrenergic antagonists with distinct properties have been investigated as possible treatments for benign prostate hyperplasia.