Enlargement of Prostate
An enlarged prostrate gland is pretty much self explanatory. When a person ages, the size of the prostrate gland will grow beyond its normal size. This is not necessarily a serious condition and, in most cases, it is a benign condition that is the normal result of the aging process. However, it does have a number of side effects that can be somewhat troubling.
The prostate is a small gland, the size and shape of a walnut. It is just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is a part of the male reproductive system that produces fluid that combines with sperm to produce semen.
At birth, the prostate is tiny. By increasing the levels of testosterone during puberty, the prostate grows rapidly and doubles in size to reach 20 years of age. The growth slows over the next two decades, and usually causes no problems for many years. Less than 10% of men aged 30 have prostate cancer. When it comes to 40 years, the prostate goes through a second attack of growth. And half the male population sees a great enlargement of the prostate, the 60-year-old and 85 years, where 90% of these cases suffer from this problem.
This gland surrounds the tube that carries urine from the bladder (urethra). During puberty, the prostate expands evenly. However, prostate enlargement occurs during the second phase of life in the gland near the urethra. With the enlargement of the gland, which interferes with the flow of urine leaves the bladder, and this makes the work more difficult to remove. Over time the problems are larger and, finally, the bladder can not empty completely. The bladder wall may become thicker and cause spasms.
Symptoms: An enlarged prostate can cause problems in time to urinate. Not all men with this disease have these symptoms. In the first phase, the symptoms can be mild because the bladder muscle is able to accommodate and compensate for the pressure of an enlarged prostate on the urethra.
The pressure made the prostate on the urethra gives rise to a weak urinary stream or stopped.
Other symptoms include:
- Difficulty starting urination
- Drool after urination
- Feeling that the bladder does not empty completely
The severity of these problems depends on the prostate exerts pressure on the urethra.
Another set of symptoms that occurs when the collection of urine in the bladder irritation includes:
- Painful urination (pain)
- Frequent need to empty the bladder, especially at night.
- Sense of urgency accompanied by the sensation to urinate.
- Loss of bladder control (incontinence).
The potentially dangerous complications can occur if the bladder does not empty completely. The urine leaves the bladder can cause the growth of bacteria that can cause frequent infections of the urinary tract. Also can form stones in the bladder lining due to the accumulation of waste and chemicals. The broken blood vessels can cause blood in urine, usually because the veins are broken or extended on the inner surface of the prostate. Blood in the urine can also be caused by the sudden extension of the bladder wall. If left untreated, can go back to the kidneys and cause kidney failure over time.
Prevention- While you can not prevent prostate increases, may ultimately take steps to reduce your symptoms:
- Limit your intake of fluids during the night, particularly alcohol and caffeinated beverages. This reduction helps to minimize the number of times you will urinate during the night. (Also, drinking too much alcohol can irritate the bladder or prostate. Most experts recommend that men avoid taking more than two alcoholic drinks per day).
- Take advantage of every opportunity to use the bathroom and take all the time you need to empty the bladder completely.
Treatment- How to seek treatment and what to do are personal choices that must be taken and discussed with the help of your doctor. The main reason for starting treatment is if it is disturbed by some of its symptoms, or due to changes in urination habits are affecting your life.