|
Usually, the prostate works seamlessly for much of a
man’s lifetime. But somewhere around the age of fifty,
it becomes troublesome.
Unlike many other organs in the body that stop
growing at an early age and rarely grow again, the
prostate can initiate new growth later in life. It is
this late-life growth, called Benign Prostate
Hyperplasia (BPH), or simply, prostate enlargement, that causes the bulk of prostate
problems in middle-aged and older men. Enlargement of
the prostate due to new growth can constrict the
urethra, resulting in a reduced flow of urine. In severe
cases, the excess growth can totally block the flow of
urine through the urethra, resulting in a medical
emergency.
BPH is quite common in men over fifty and according
to many experts, its incidence roughly parallels men’s
age groups. Approximately 50 percent of men suffer from
it in their fifties, and this percentage increases to
about 80 percent of men in their eighties.
For many men prostate growth begins in their late
thirties with symptoms that are barely noticeable.
Eventually though, the growth begins to interfere with
prostatic or urinary function and symptoms appear.
Symptoms of BPH typically include a frequent need or
urgency to urinate, difficulty in starting or stopping
urination, urine leakage, a weak, interrupted or split
urine stream, blood in the urine, inability to void
completely (urinary retention), and increased
interruption of normal sleep due to the need to urinate
(nocturia). Symptoms can also include erectile or
orgasmic dysfunction. The most serious problem occurs
when the condition progresses and interferes
substantially with normal urinary flow. In severe cases,
urinary retention can cause kidney problems, or the flow
of urine can be totally blocked, requiring immediate
medical intervention.
BPH can be helped by various natural
supplements.
Also, see
BPH
and Prostatitis in the Links area.
|
