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LIFESTYLE
DISEASES |
Enlarged Prostate Symptoms: How to Tell When a
Man Has BPH
By
Trevor Mulholland
Enlarged prostate symptoms rarely manifest before
the age of 40. For some men, symptoms might not
even occur at all. However, the condition called
BPH or enlarged prostate affects almost 90 percent
of men in their seventies and eighties, while more
than 50 percent of men who reach their sixties
experience symptoms.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or Benign
Prostatic Hypertrophy is a condition characterized
by the enlargement of the prostate gland; a common
occurrence since it is quite normal for men's
prostates to enlarge as they age. The growth of
the prostate has two main phases; the first is
during puberty, when the size of the gland
doubles; and the second is at around age 25, when
the gland starts growing again. The second growth
phase often results in BPH years later. Some of
the more common enlarged prostate symptoms include
weak stream of urine, difficulty in starting
urination, dribbling and leaking of urine, a
strong and sudden desire to urinate especially at
night, a feeling of not emptying the bladder, and
in some cases, blood in the urine.
As a man's prostate enlarges, the layer of tissue
surrounding it prevents the gland from expanding
which causes the gland to press against the
urethra. The bladder wall becomes thicker and
irritable resulting in contraction which causes
frequent urination. Eventually, the bladder
becomes weaker and might not be able to empty
itself which could result in urine being trapped
in the bladder. The narrowing of the urethra and
the inability of the bladder to fully empty itself
cause many of the problems associated with
enlarged prostate.
The cause of enlarged prostate has yet to be fully
understood. Since BPH occurs in older men and does
not develop in those whose testes were removed
during puberty, researchers believe that factors
related to aging and the testes contribute to the
development of the condition. Some studies have
also theorized that BPH occurs because the amount
of testosterone (male hormone) in the blood
decreases as a man ages, leaving a higher
proportion of estrogen (female hormone) which
results in the increased activity of substances
associated with cell growth.
Majority of BPH symptoms stem from urethral
obstruction and gradual loss of bladder function.
The extent by which a man's prostate has grown
does not always determine how severe the condition
is. Some men with greatly enlarged prostate
experience little problems and manifest few
symptoms, while others whose prostates are less
enlarged may have severe obstruction, more
blockage and experience more discomfort or pain.
Despite similarities between prostate cancer and
enlarged prostate symptoms, having the latter does
not mean that chances of getting the former are
increased. Researchers have not found any direct
connection between BPH and prostate cancer, but it
is still highly imperative that men over the age
of 40, whether they have or do not have enlarged
prostates, undergo a rectal exam to screen for
prostate cancer.
Mensglands.com provides you with info on enlarged prostate symptoms, its treatments and symptoms and how to overcome or reduce the risk of getting it. http://www.mensglands.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trevor_Mulholland
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