When Men to have Enlarged Prostate

 

An enlarged prostate – a disorder known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH for short – is a highly common health issue for males over 50 (about 50% of men experience BPH symptoms when they are 51-60 years old, 70% in their 60s, 80% in 70s and 90% when older than 80).

The prostate is a small gland that helps make semen. It is found just below the bladder. And it often gets bigger as a man ages.

While BPH is the leading cause of prostate disorders, infections can also cause an enlarged prostate.

Urinary changes are the main enlarged prostate symptoms. BPH symptoms primarily include the following:

Frequent Urination

This is the most commonly seen symptom of an enlarged prostate. Frequent urination in men is often a sign of a prostate disorder. This symptom occurs because the enlarged prostate stresses the urethra, making it harder for urine to flow freely.

Weak Urine Flow

BPH can also cause a weak urine flow, where the stream of urine is not as strong as it used to be. This weakness can be attributed to the narrowing of the urethra caused by the enlarged prostate.

Difficulty Starting and Stopping Urination

Another symptom of BPH is difficulty initiating and stopping the flow of urine. The inability to fully manage urination can be frustrating and may require additional effort to fully empty the bladder.

Incomplete Emptying of the Bladder

The enlarged prostate can restrict urine flow, leading to a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder even after urination.

Dribbling at the End of Urination

BPH can also cause dribbling or leakage of urine at the end of urination. The inability to fully cease urine flow occurs because the enlarged prostate obstructs the urethra, preventing the bladder from fully emptying.

Less common symptoms might involve the following issues:

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

In some cases, BPH can increase the risk of UTIs. The stagnant urine in the bladder, caused by the obstruction, provides a breeding ground for bacteria.

Blood in Urine

Although a rare symptom of an enlarged prostate, blood in urine (hematuria) can occur due to BPH. But blood in the urine might also be due to an infection or a potentially serious disorder like kidney disease or cancer.

Kidney Damage

If left untreated, BPH can lead to kidney damage. The stagnant urine in the bladder can back up into the kidneys, causing potential complications.

Sexual Dysfunction

BPH can also contribute to sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction and decreased libido. This occurs because the enlarged prostate can compromise the normal functioning of the reproductive system.

It is critical to note that not all individuals with BPH will experience all of these symptoms. The intensity and combination of symptoms can also vary from person to person.

We can manage BPH with lifestyle measures:

Ø Including certain foods, while removing others, may help improve symptoms:

• Avoid high fat foods, incorporate more lean proteins like fish and poultry
• Eat more and many different vegetables, citrus and other fruits

Ø Make sure to lose weight if you are above a healthy number.

Ø Regardless of your weight, try exercising regularly at a moderate to vigorous level, most days of the week.

Ø Cut back on caffeine and alcohol, particularly at night, since both increase the need to urinate.

Ø Avoid drinking anything within a few hours of bedtime to reduce middle of the night wakings.

Ø Reducing or managing stress.

Besides, we can use herbal remedies to get relief from symptoms. For example, pygeum bark contains chemicals that might help shrink the enlarged prostate. It can be used with saw palmetto, stinging nettle root and/or bee pollen to treat BPH. Pygeum bark comes from the bark of a tree native to Africa called Prunus africana. 

Enlarged prostate symptoms are often mistaken for signs of prostate cancer (which is a malignant growth that develops in the prostate gland). While prostate cancer and BPH share symptom similarities, they have distinct differences that can help differentiate between the two.

Some common symptoms of prostate cancer are the same as BPH. These include the following:

• Difficulty urinating
• Frequent urination (particularly at night)
• Weak urine flow
• Blood in urine

However, some symptoms are not related to BPH but are related to prostate cancer. Please seek medical attention immediately if you are experiencing the following symptoms:

• Blood in semen
• Painful ejaculation
• Persistent pelvic, lower back or hip pain