What is an Enlarged Prostate | Symptoms and Causes

Living with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) can be managed successfully through proper treatment and routine medical check-ups. Maintaining a healthy diet, staying physically active, and managing stress can help support prostate health and reduce symptoms. 

Prostate enlargement happens naturally as men get older. Let us understand What is an Enlarged Prostate, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis and many more.

What is an Enlarged Prostate?

Enlarged Prostate is medically known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a common condition in ageing men where the prostate gland grows larger than normal.

While the exact cause is not fully understood, it is believed to be linked to hormonal changes that occur with age. The condition is not cancerous, but it can cause symptoms that affect everyday life, particularly urination.

What are the symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate?

The symptoms can range from mild to severe and tend to worsen gradually over time if not treated. An enlarged prostate can lead to a variety of urinary problems, including:

• Difficulty starting urination
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• Frequent need to urinate, especially at night (nocturia)
• Feeling like the bladder isn’t completely empty
• Urgency or dribbling after urination

What are the causes and risk factors of an enlarged prostate?

Several factors can increase the risk of developing an enlarged prostate, such as:

• Ageing: Most common in men over 50
• Hormonal changes: Imbalance in testosterone and oestrogen levels
• Family history: Having close relatives with prostate issues
• Lifestyle factors: Being overweight or physically inactive

Is an Enlarged Prostate Dangerous?

While an enlarged prostate is not cancer, it can cause urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or kidney problems if left untreated. That’s why it’s important to get checked by a urologist if you experience ongoing urinary symptoms.

How to diagnose an enlarged prostate?

To confirm prostate enlargement, a doctor may recommend tests such as:

• Physical examination (digital rectal exam)
• Urine tests to check for infection
• Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test
• Ultrasound or bladder scan

These tests help assess the size of the prostate and how much it affects the bladder and urine flow.

What are the best Treatments for an Enlarged Prostate?

The treatment for an enlarged prostate depends on the severity of the symptoms. Common options include:

• Lifestyle changes: Reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, avoiding fluids before bedtime, and exercising regularly.
• Medication: Alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors help relax or shrink the prostate.
• Minimally invasive procedures: Laser or heat treatments to remove extra prostate tissue.
• Surgery: In severe cases, TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) or other surgical methods may be necessary.

Your urologist will recommend the most suitable option based on your health and symptom level. Know more about the best treatments for an enlarged prostate. 

Conclusion

An enlarged prostate is a very common and treatable condition among older men. Although it can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, timely diagnosis and the right treatment plan can make a huge difference. Keeping your prostate health in check is key to maintaining comfort and confidence as you age.

If you notice urinary changes, weak flow, or discomfort, it’s important to speak to a doctor early. Early treatment can help prevent complications and improve quality of life.

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