Know all about enlarged prostate (BPH) - Alert for men nearing fifty years!
Enlargement of Prostate is common in men above 50 in the second half of their life with more than 50% of males getting affected. The problem is acute in men over the age of 75 years with incidence of 90% or even more. In medical terminology it is known as BPH, benign prostatic hyperplasia which is nothing to do with females. It is limited to males only. This article suggests all men above the age of 45 to go for annual check-up in shape of ultrasound so as to take preventive measures.
Major Symptoms of enlarged Prostate
Urinating frequently, especially at night, is one of the foremost noticeable problems. Despite the feeling that you need to urinate, when you urinate there are only a few drops. While you think you have finished but it is not so. Your urinary bladder is not emptied. The urge to urinate is weakened or even interrupted. The urinary bladder takes longer time to get emptied as compared to young age, when prostate used to be normal in size ending up in tickling or droplets of urine in addition to feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, pain and/or burning sensation during urination.Cause of BPH (Prostate Enlargement) and related problems
Before we discuss the causes of BPH and related problems let us have first hand information of about Prostate gland. It is ring like structure surrounding Urethra (urinary passage). The bladder starts directly from the output as can be seen the image. With the ageing process the human organs under go changes and Prostate gland is not an exception. It starts getting enlarged due to the following causative factors:After the age of about 40 years, with the onset of normal ageing process of the body starts caused by hormonal changes and other various factors, starts a gradual growth of the glandular tissue (gland tissue converts to a glandular form) of the prostate obstructing the urinary passage with almost all men getting affected at one stage or the other in their second half of their life.
The problem gets noticed when the urethra (urinary passage) is obstructed to the extent that it induces discomfort while urinating resulting into swelling which further aggravates the condition by compressing urethra (urinary passage).
When compression of urethra increases due to enlargement of the prostate gland, the muscles of urinary bladder feels more pressure as I can explain that narrow the tube or pipeline more will be the pressure due to narrow passage.
At one point of time with the advancement of BPH disease it is no longer possible to get the urinary bladder completely emptied resulting into starting of the real problem.
With the passage of time when the disease advances more and more quantities of residual urine get remained in the bladder allowing the bacteria, which were, so far being flushed out during urination, to invade the urinary track.
Such bacteria start multiplying rapidly triggering pain in the bladder, kidney and resultant is prostate inflammation.
If ignored, the condition can worsen to urinary tract infections with signs of fever, shivering along with many more complications.
It is strongly recommended to consult your doctor or an Urologist (a specialist in urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases) immediately.
Annual Health Check up must include Screening for early detection of enlarged prostate
Every individual, even the healthy one, should go for annual health check up consisting of following pathological tests:CBC, Complete Blood Counts to know the quantification of Hb, TLC and Platelets.
Lipid Profile to know the cardiovascular health.
Renal Profile to know the health of Kidneys.
Liver Profile to know the level of liver enzymes and protein levels necessary for good health and living.
Thyroid Profile to check for hormonal changes which can affect the whole metabolic system of the body.
HB1AC (Diabetic Screening) for knowing the average level of Blood Glucose.
ECG to know about the functioning of the heart. ECG can forewarn about blockades of the arteries of the heart and poor pumping of blood by the heart which may indicate the need for a Pacemaker.
Ultrasound of complete abdomen, which can detect gall bladder stones and kidney stones.
Chest X-Ray, Urine Complete.
What to do if you have enlarged prostate
Herbal and Dietary Controls
How can you help yourself to minimize the suffering from enlarged prostate
If you are having enlarged prostate problem then it is recommended that sitting for long periods should be avoided. You should take a break by standing or walking in between prolonged sittings. You need not suppress the urge to urinate so as to prevent filling of urinary bladder beyond capacity in such a way that it gets stretched. As already recommended a balanced diet with lot of fruits, vegetables and whole grains should be taken whereas fats should be in the form of vegetable oils (as discussed above) with a high content of phytosterols.More knowledge about prostate - Key to Live Longer
Prostate gland, having size of chestnut, is one of the male sexual organs providing prostatitis fluid, (produced and stimulated by the male hormone testosterone), which nourishes the sperms.Disclaimer
The article does not provide or contain medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.
Author acknowledges the source of the free image in public domain at Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Prostatelead.jpg
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Thanks for the timely warning by the author. Acting on the advice by the author I got ultrasound scan for lower abdomen and the doctor advised me that my Prostate is mildly enlarged. He advised me certain precautions like not sitting on chair for long time, wearing of comfortable undergarments etc. etc.
Author is requested to provide more Tips on how to avoid BPH.