It is very common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man grows. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or benign prostatic hypertrophy by doctors. BPH affect the inside part of the prostate. Enlargement frequently causes a gradual squeezing of the urethra where it runs through the prostate. Sometimes BPH causes problems in urinating or other urinary problems. BPH is not cancer nor does it lead to cancer. It is possible for a man to have both BPH and prostate cancer.
Symptoms begin by interfering with urinary function. Some BPH symptoms can include:
• A slow urinary stream
• Feeling of incomplete bladder.
• Delay in starting urination
• Urinary urgency
• Frequent urination
• Frequently awakening to urinate at night
• Urinary stream that starts and stops
• The need to strain to urinate
These symptoms are caused by the way in which BPH first affects the urethra then bladder. Starting phase of prostate enlargement, the bladder is able to force urine through the urethra by contracting more forcefully. After sometime the bladder muscle gradually becomes stronger, thicker and sensitive. It causes a need to urinate frequently. In some cases, as prostate enlargement progresses and the urethra are squeezed more tightly then the bladder cannot overcome the problems which are created by the greatly narrowed urethra. That time the bladder cannot empty completely.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia needs to be treated only if the symptoms are severe enough to bother you and when complications of BPH develop including loss of kidney function, sexual function. An enlarged prostate alone is not reason enough to get treatment.
If you start to notice difference in your normal urination pattern then you should visit your doctor for a swollen prostate and blood tests to assess your prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. This can be an indicator or some form of prostate disease.
Symptoms begin by interfering with urinary function. Some BPH symptoms can include:
• A slow urinary stream
• Feeling of incomplete bladder.
• Delay in starting urination
• Urinary urgency
• Frequent urination
• Frequently awakening to urinate at night
• Urinary stream that starts and stops
• The need to strain to urinate
These symptoms are caused by the way in which BPH first affects the urethra then bladder. Starting phase of prostate enlargement, the bladder is able to force urine through the urethra by contracting more forcefully. After sometime the bladder muscle gradually becomes stronger, thicker and sensitive. It causes a need to urinate frequently. In some cases, as prostate enlargement progresses and the urethra are squeezed more tightly then the bladder cannot overcome the problems which are created by the greatly narrowed urethra. That time the bladder cannot empty completely.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia needs to be treated only if the symptoms are severe enough to bother you and when complications of BPH develop including loss of kidney function, sexual function. An enlarged prostate alone is not reason enough to get treatment.
If you start to notice difference in your normal urination pattern then you should visit your doctor for a swollen prostate and blood tests to assess your prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. This can be an indicator or some form of prostate disease.
