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What You Should Know about BPH
Benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH, is characterized by the increase in size of the prostate in middle aged and elderly men. The important part of the condition to remember is that BPH is a benign condition, not cancerous or malignant. When the prostate is enlarged as it can be in BPH, the prostate nodules can compress the urethral canal and can partially or completely cause obstruction, which can interfere with the normal ability to urinate. This symptom of BPH can lead to urinary hesitancy, frequent urination, an increased risk of urinary tract infections, and urinary retention. BPH is not considered to be a premalignant lesion.
BPH symptoms are defined as being obstructive and irritating. The obstructive symptoms of BPH include hesitancy, intermittency, not fully emptying the bladder, having a weak urinary stream, and straining to urinate. The irritative symptoms of BPH are nocturia, which is having the need to urinate frequently at night, and urgency of urination. These symptoms can are incredibly uncomfortable to deal with and may require urgent treatment. However, there are also ways that this disease can be prevented.
BPH can be a condition that can get worse over time if it is left untreated. Not voiding completely when urinating can lead to bacteria building up in the bladder, creating a bacterial residue within it. This can increase your risk of urinary tract infections. Urinary bladder stones are also be commonly caused along with BPH. Some patients who suffer from urinary retention that is chronic can eventually go into renal failure, which is then diagnosed as obstructive uropathy.
Testosterone and other hormones play a major role in the formation of BPH, but they do not necessarily directly cause BPH. The best support that has been found for this theory is that me castrated in childhood do not suffer from BPH when they age. There is some evidence that estrogen also plays a role with BPH. Men with elevated estrogen levels seem to be more susceptible to BPH.
If you feel as though this might be a problem within your lives, it is smart to go get checked by your local doctor. If you suspect BPH, blood tests and rectal exams can help diagnose BPH. Men with BPH symptoms, especially those suffering from urinary symptoms should consult their physicians for treatment. It is very important that they see a doctor regarding these symptoms as they may only worsen with time.
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