Enlarged
Prostate Gland:
How Prostate Enlargement Affects Most Men
During
a man’s forties, it is quite possible that he will begin feeling
the symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland. Prostate enlargement
mainly affects a man’s ability to urinate. The prostate gland
is located underneath the bladder and surrounds the tube that carries
urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. Once prostate
enlargement occurs, it will put pressure on a man’s urinary
tract and result in urinary problems.
It
is not completely understood what causes enlarged prostate, also
known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. It is believed that
men experience a time of prostate enlargement and increased cell
growth in their forties, perhaps due to hormonal changes. An enlarged
prostate gland is not related to getting prostate cancer. Prostate
enlargement does not always result in symptoms, but if a man does
suffer from enlarged prostate, he will likely feel some or all of
the following symptoms:
- Urgent and frequent need to urinate
- Trouble beginning urination
- Weak stream
- Interrupted stream
- Inability to empty the bladder
About
half of all men in their sixties will experience at least a few
enlarged prostate symptoms. While a certain percentage of men’s
enlarged prostate symptoms are mild and do not require treatment,
all men should be aware that difficult urination could be a sign
of something other than an enlarged prostate such as a urinary tract
infection, diabetes, or even cancer.
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