Prostate BPH: Non-Cancerous Enlargement of the Prostate
It is usual for the prostate glands of males to grow in size significantly during their adolescence. This slows down when they reach 25 and pushes through when they get to 50. By the time they are 80 years old, their prostate glands are very much enlarged. This enlargement of the prostate can occur earlier and it could be frightening since it could be cancerous. But there in another situation, the gland could enlarge, and the person should not be worried about cancer – this state is called prostate BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
An enlarged prostate or BPH is not prostate cancer. It is a ordinary condition especially among older men, age 50 years and above. Among those with prostate BPH, only 10 percent would need to be medically or surgically treated. The prostate gland does not actually stop growing. This does not create any problem to any man until after he reaches his twilight years. The signs are hardly felt by men under the age of 40 , but those who are aged 60 up can feel the symptoms of prostate BPH.
When the prostate becomes bigger and bigger, the tendency of the surrounding tissues is to obstruct its further growth. This results to the restriction on the urethra, since the prostate gland is forced upon it. The man’s bladder will get aggravated and will begin to contract although there is just minimal amount of urine in there. In time , the bladder will fail to function as it should be causing urine to stay in the bladder.
Prostate BPH exhibits the following symptoms that you have to watch out for:
Problems with urination – weak stream of urine, leaking, frequent urination at night, straining feeling, sudden urges to urinate
Weak bladder
Kidney failure
Backflow of urine that results to infection on the bladder or kidney
The symptoms differ and the size of the prostate does not always say how severe the state is. There are men with prostate BPH that shows no obstruction at all and thus, show no signs. There are those men who have less enlarged glands however they have more harsh signs because of bigger obstructions.
When you practice any troubles urinating, you have to inform your doctor at once. Eighty percent of the cases are suggestive of prostate BPH, but the rest might be more serious and will need instant treatment.
Those that have untreated prostate BPH may develop a lot more serious problems like:
Urinary Tract Infection because of urine retention and straining of the bladder
Bladder damage
Kidney damage
Bladder stones
Incontinence
There are three ways to treat prostate BPH – watchful waiting, medicine therapy, or surgery. Watchful waiting involves yearly checkups to monitor the gland and its growth. This method restricts alcoholic drinks and caffeine. Patients are asked to empty their bladders every time they urinating. If you need to urinate, you shouldn’t keep it waiting. Urinate at once and often.
As for the drug remedy , only your regular doctor can arrange the medications that may help you with the signs . Be wary of those over the counter drugs that can only make things worse.
Surgery is the last option but this is one of the most common methods to take care of prostate BPH in the United States. Surgery is best for severe cases.
