Enlarged
Prostate Symptom
The prostate is part of the male reproductive system and is located
in the pelvic region between the anus and the penis, under the
bladder. As part of the male reproductive system, the prostate
is responsible for producing the semen which is excreted during
an ejaculation during male orgasm.
The prostate is about the size and shape of a walnut and part
of the prostate is possible to be felt during a rectal exam, making
it easier to detect an enlarged prostate even when there is no
presence of an enlarged prostate symptom.
An annual rectal exam is the most important and affective way
to detect an enlarged prostate, even though the process itself
can be a bit uncomfortable. Many patients exhibit no signs enlarged
prostate symptom and in this case it can only be detected through
an annual rectal exam.
Most men experience some form of an enlarged
prostate and in fact it is quite normal for the prostate to become
larger, to a certain degree. Generally, healthy males experience
a growth in their prostate gland when they first enter puberty.
A few years later, at around age 25, the prostate will begin to
grow again. At this stage in life, an enlarged prostate rarely
presents any problem or any type of enlarged prostate symptom.
It is only much later in life, usually after age 50, that an enlarged
prostate begins to spell trouble.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, often referred to as simply BPH,
is an enlargement of the prostate gland. This disorder of the
prostate gland generally occurs in men who are over the age of
50, although cases in younger men have been diagnosed, particularly
those who are of African-American descent. When the prostate gland
is enlarged, there is a gradual squeezing of the urethra, which
can make urinating difficult and painful. Despite this fact, many
patients who suffer from an enlarged prostate experience no symptoms
at all. Patients who do experience an enlarged prostate symptom
may recognize a difficulty in starting urination, frequent urination
as well as an increased frequency in awakening at night to urinate.
Usually the urethra becomes blocked by the enlarged prostate
and the patient may also experience repeated urinary tract infections
as a result. A sudden inability to urinate as well as bladder
and/or kidney damage may also result from an enlarged prostate.
Doctors have not been able to isolate a single factor as a cause
for an enlarge prostate, however men who are over the age of 50,
have a history of prostate disease or who are of African-American
ancestry may be at risk for developing an enlarged prostate. An
enlarged prostate is not the only disorder of the prostate gland.
Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer and death
among American men. It is important to recognize that an enlarged
prostate does not always lead to prostate cancer, however. While
prostate cancer and other prostate gland disorders may interfere
with a patient's sexual function, an enlarged prostate gland usually
does not cause any sexual dysfunction.
Each year almost 400,000 men are admitted to the hospital for
some form of an enlarged prostate. By age 60, more than one half
of all men ill experience an enlarged prostate and by age 70 that
percentage climbs to 90 percent.
If a doctor finds an abnormality of the prostate gland during
an exam, he or she will usually order blood tests to determine
if levels of a certain antigen have risen. Higher levels may indicate
that this is some type of disorder present, including an enlarged
prostate.
There are a number of treatment options available for patients
who suffer from an enlarged prostate gland. In some cases, the
symptoms may lessen on their own without active intervention.
Medications as well as treatment options that are non-surgical
may also help to alleviate the enlarged prostate symptom. Heat
is sometimes used in order to destroy excess tissue which may
be affecting the enlarged prostate. In some cases the doctor may
be able to treat the enlarged prostate with no surgery whatsoever.
When the doctor feels the case is serious enough, however surgery
may be required.
Some surgical options require the removal of the enlarged prostate,
which will allow for better long term results and pain alleviation
for the patient, while others rely only on removing the excess
tissue. Patients should be aware that there are serious side effects
related to surgical options, including further urinary problems
as well as a loss of sexual function. The risks and side effects
of surgery generally depend on how much of the enlarged prostate
gland is affected during the surgery. Some cases require the removal
of the entire prostate, which will generally lead to infertility
and the inability to achieve an erection.
There are also a number of all natural and homeopathic products
on the market which are advertised to treat an enlarged prostate.
Saw Palmetto has been marketed for years as an aid to cure an
enlarged prostate. While these products may provide some relief
of the enlarged prostate symptom associated with an enlarged prostate
it is still important for patients to seek the counsel of a qualified
medical professional to insure that no other issues are present
as well, such as prostate cancer.
Researchers have been studying the cause of enlarged prostate
problems for years and while they have come much closer in understanding
the reasons why older men seem to suffer from such problems, the
real cause remains elusive. It has been noted, as far back as
hundreds of years ago, that men who were castrated before they
reached puberty, experienced no such problems with an enlarged
prostate. Today, it is also widely recognized that testosterone,
the main male hormone, plays a significant role in the development
of an enlarged prostate. Usually as a man grows older the amount
of active testosterone in his system decreases which results in
a higher level of estrogen. It is believed that the higher levels
of estrogen may contribute to an enlarged prostate increase the
activity of other substances which promote cell growth. DHT, otherwise
known as dihydrotestosterone, is a substance that is converted
from testosterone in the prostate. It is theorized that higher
levels of DHT may also contribute to the development of an enlarged
prostate.
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