Enlarged Prostate Symptoms
Found only in men, the prostate is a small gland located in the pelvis. Sitting between the penis and the bladder, it surrounds the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the penis; the urethra. Prostate enlargement commonly affects men, particularly through aging, and it is estimated that up to sixty percent of all men over the age of sixty will suffer from the condition. There are several easy to spot enlarged prostate symptoms.
Though its cause is unknown, there is widespread throughout male health care professionals that link the condition with aging, and in particular changes in hormone levels connected with the process.
Enlarged prostate symptoms tend to surround problems with urination, and are often covered off in one general term; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms, or LUTS for short. Caused by the enlarged gland putting pressure on both the bladder and the urethra, there are a number of individual LUTS to look out for, which can be quite similar.
A difficulty with starting to urinate is commonly an issue, as is having a urine flow which is intermittent. An intermittent flow, having to constantly stop and start, is also often linked with another symptom, where the sufferer has a constant need to strain, or push their bladder from within to pass urine.
Having a constant, or frequent, necessity to urinate is also a common sign of an enlarged prostate. Sufferers in this regard will also most likely wake up through the night with a desperate urge to urinate and, in many cases, this in turn will lead to incontinence. Incontinence through the day is also commonly one of the enlarged prostate symptoms.
In almost all of the above, there may also be a feeling that the bladder has not been emptied fully which, in most instances, will in fact be the case. Other symptoms which should urge the seeking of immediate medical advice include severe pain when urinating, and the appearance of blood droplets in the urine.
Whilst severe pain and blood should be treated immediately, it is highly recommended that any of the above enlarged prostate symptoms be investigated as soon as possible. Even if they are mild instances, it is likely that there will be an underlying condition that a physician or health care professional should be made aware of.
Though naturally worrying, enlargement of the prostate is very rarely a serious condition which will require ongoing treatment. However, whilst this is true, any instances of worry should always be investigated.
This is because that sometimes the condition and associated background to it can prove troublesome, and can go on to affect the quality of life severely. However, though it is natural to worry that the condition will lead to, or increase the risk of, prostate cancer, this is not the case in significant numbers.
Enlargement of the prostate can be treated through medication or if serious enough surgery. In all cases, a physician is best placed to advise the best course of action. However, it is likely no medical intervention will be required as the condition will be self correcting, or treatable through small lifestyle changes.