Article by Adrinna Smith

What is it?The prostate is a small gland about the size and shape of a walnut. It lies just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is part of the male reproductive tract that produces fluid that combines with sperm to make semen.

At birth, the prostate gland is tiny. When testosterone levels rise during puberty, the prostate grows rapidly and doubling in size to reach 20 years. Growth slowed during the past two decades, and usually causes no problems for many years. Less than 10% of men age 30 have an enlarged prostate problem. When a man reaches 40, the prostate goes through a second outbreak of growth. Half of all men experience prostate enlargement upon reaching age 60, and 85 years, 90% of them suffer from this problem.

This gland surrounds the tube that carries urine from the bladder (urethra). During puberty, the prostate expands evenly. However, the enlargement of prostate during the second stage of life occurs in the portion of the gland near the urethra. As the gland enlarges, it interferes with the flow of urine leaves the bladder. This makes the bladder work harder to pass urine. Over time the problems are exacerbated and finally, the bladder can not empty completely. The bladder wall may become thicker and cause muscle spasms.

SymptomsAn enlarged prostate can cause urination problems. Not all men with this disease have no symptoms. However, about a quarter of men in the United States reported some difficulty with urination.

At first, symptoms may be mild because the bladder muscle is able to accommodate to offset the pressure of an enlarged prostate on the urethra.

The pressure of the prostate into the urethra causes an interrupted flow of urine or weak. Other symptoms include: * Difficulty starting to urinate * Dribbling after urination * Feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely

The severity of these problems depends on how prostate exerting pressure on the urethra.

Another set of symptoms occurs when urine that collects in the bladder causes irritation. These symptoms include: * Painful urination * Frequent need to empty the bladder, especially at night * Sense of urgency accompanied by the sensation to urinate * Loss of bladder control (incontinence)

Potentially dangerous complications can occur if the bladder does not empty completely. Urine leaves the bladder not can cause the growth of bacteria that can cause frequent urinary tract infections.DurationThe symptoms of enlarged prostate does not always relate directly to the size of the gland. Many men with enlarged prostate have no symptoms. In others, the symptoms are mild and worsen so slowly that they never develop serious problems. About a third of men with BPH have symptoms that worsen and require treatment.

Prevention While you can not avoid the prostate enlarges, it can take steps to reduce your symptoms:

* Limit fluid intake in the evening, especially drinks with alcohol and caffeine. This reduction helps to minimize the number of times you have to urinate at night. (Also, drinking too much alcohol can irritate the bladder or prostate. Most experts recommend that men avoid taking more than two drinks per day).

* Ask your doctor whether you can change or remove drugs that may be worsening the problem. These may include antihistamines, diuretics, decongestants, antispasmodics, tranquilizers and some types of antidepressants. These medications can weaken the bladder muscle or reduce the opening of the prostate.

* Take every opportunity to use the bathroom and take as much time as you need to empty the bladder completely.

TreatmentWhen to seek enlarged prostate treatment and what to do are personal decisions that should be taken with the help of your doctor. The main reason to start treatment is to feel bothered by symptoms or changes in urination habits are affecting their lifestyle. It is rare that men have no symptoms or very mild, require some type of treatment.

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Read more on enlarged prostate treatment and increase breast size. And more info about increase female fertility treatment.

Tagged with: benign • Enlarged • Hyperplasia • Prostate • prostatic

Filed under: Enlarged Prostate Symptoms

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