An enlarged prostate is an issue many men face as they age, it is most commonly a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
The prostate gland is underneath the bladder. When it gets bigger, it can block the flow of urine through the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis. This can cause problems with urination. Mayo Clinic experts theorize that the prostate gland grows as men age as a result of changes in hormonal balance. If you don’t get treatment for it, BPH can cause bladder, urinary tract, or kidney problems.
The complications of BPH can be serious, but BPH isn’t prostate cancer. Having BPH doesn’t mean you have an increased risk of prostate cancer. The prostate tissue growth associated with BPH begins around the inner prostate, which is a ring of tissue around the urethra, and continues growing inward. Prostate cancer begins growing on the outer part of the prostate and grows outward.
Some symptoms you might experience are the urge to use the restroom frequently, especially at night, as an enlarged prostate gland puts increased pressure on the urethra and bladder, which results in a great deal of difficulty holding in your urine. It can also cause difficulty urinating. Another side effect of BPH is that it can cause intense pain during urination or ejaculation and can also cause infection. A serious symptom to be concerned about is urine with blood or an unusual color or smell, if any of these symptoms occur or persist it is important to contact your physician right away. They may be able to assist you, or they may refer you to a urologist but it is important to have it taken care of as the lasting effects of BPH can put exorbitant amounts of pressure on the bladder and cause it to lose the ability to contract normally. If infection has started in the bladder it can also spread to your kidneys and cause a great deal of damage.
If you have any of these symptoms, or are experiencing an enlarged prostate, please call your trusted physicians at Adult & Pediatric Urology, LLC (505) 327-9111, to take care of these issues before they persist or become more serious.
