Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH, is a condition in which the walnut-sized gland present in men known as the prostate gets enlarged. It is common in old-aged men.
The function of the prostate is to create semen. An enlarged prostate can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms.
Medications and surgery can help treat the condition. To devise the right treatment plan for you, your healthcare provider will consider the size of your prostate.
If you have any signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, you should visit a urologist in Karachi.
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What are the Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
The signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia vary from person to person according to the prostate enlargement. The common signs and symptoms of BPH are;
- Urgency to urinate
- Increased urination frequency
- Difficulty in starting urinating
- Weak urine stream
- Inability to empty bladder completely
- Dribbling when urination ends
- Blood in urine
- Inability to urinate
Benign prostatic hyperplasia can also cause urinary tract infection.
What are the Causes of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland located at the base of your bladder. The urethra-a tube that passes urine out from your body passes through the center of the prostate.
Therefore, the enlargement of the prostate can lead to urine flow blockage. In many men, the prostate keeps growing throughout life, eventually causing blockage of urine flow or other urinary symptoms.
Experts do not know the exact cause of prostate enlargement, but it can occur due to hormonal imbalance as men get older.
What are the Risk Factors for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
The risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia are;
Increasing age
In young men aged younger than 40, BPH does not show any signs and symptoms. However, it mostly shows up in men aged above 60 or 80.
Family history
Having a family history of prostate enlargement or other prostate conditions can increase the risk for you too. Therefore if your father or brother has it, the chances increase for you too.
Certain health conditions
According to experts, certain health conditions like heart disease or diabetes can put you at risk of getting an enlarged prostate. Moreover, medications used in its treatment, such as beta-blockers can also increase the risk of prostate enlargement for you.
Weight
Being obese can increase the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, exercise can help lower it.
What are the Complications of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
Prostate enlargement can lead to complications such as;
Urinary retention
It is a condition when you can not empty your bladder. To relive it, you may need to get a catheter inserted. Some men may need surgery for the relief of urinary retention.
Urinary tract infections
With BPH, you are unable to empty your bladder completely. Some urine is left in your urinary bladder in which bacteria can grow, eventually resulting in a urinary tract infection.
Bladder stones
The inability to empty the urinary bladder can lead to bladder stones. It can, in turn, lead to conditions such as obstruction of urine flow, blood in urine, or bladder irritation.
Bladder damage
When you are unable to empty your bladder completely, there is some urine left there. It can cause the walls of the bladder to become weak or stretchy, eventually making it harder for you to empty the bladder because it does not contract.
Kidney damage
Urinary tract infections due to prostate enlargement or pressure due to urinary retention can lead to kidney damage.
Conclusion
An enlarged prostate does not increase the risk of prostate cancer. Moreover, it is not a life-threatening condition. But acute urinary retention and kidney damage can be serious problems due to it. If you have a complaint of prostate enlargement, you must visit a urologist in Lahore.
