Prostate BPH - the stages in a male life

It is regular for the prostate glands of males to grow significantly through their teenage years. This slows down when they get to 25 and pushes through when they reach 50. By the time they are around 80 years old, their prostate glands are very much enlarged. This enlargement of the prostate can take place 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 concerned about cancer – this state is called prostate BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

An enlarged prostate or BPH is not prostate cancer. It is a common 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. Prostate BPH is also called Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy.



The prostate gland does not really stop growing. This does not create any trouble to any man until after he reaches his twilight years. The symptoms are hardly felt by men under the age of 40 , but those who are aged 60 up may experience the symptoms of prostate BPH.

When the prostate becomes bigger and bigger, the leaning of the surrounding tissues is to obstruct its further growth. This results to the restraint on the urethra, since the prostate gland is forced upon it. The man’s bladder will get irritated and will begin to contract even if there is just minimal amount of urine in there. In time , the bladder will fail to function properly causing urine to stay in the bladder.

Prostate BPH shows 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 signs differ and the size of the prostate does not always say how severe the state is. There are men with prostate BPH that exhibit no obstruction at all and thus, show no signs. There are those men who have less enlarged glands however they have more severe signs because of bigger obstructions.

When you practice any troubles urinating, you should inform your doctor immediately. About 80% of the cases are a hint of prostate BPH, but the rest may be more serious and will require instant treatment.

Those that have untreated prostate BPH can develop a lot more serious problems like:
Urinary Tract Infection due to urine retention and straining of the bladder
Bladder damage
Kidney damage
Bladder stones
Incontinence

There are 3 ways to treat prostate BPH – watchful waiting, drug therapy, or surgery. Watchful waiting involves annual checkups to watch the gland and its increase. This method limits 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. Unload at once and often.

As for the medicine remedy , only your regular doctor can prescribed the medications that can help you with the symptoms . Be wary of those over the counter drugs that can only do things worse.

Operation is the last resort but this is one of the most common methods to treat prostate BPH in the U.S.A.. Surgery is best for severe cases.



by: Heinz Golz