Signs and Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate

Every man should be aware of some of the most common signs and symptoms of an enlarged prostate. This condition can be more than uncomfortable; it can be inconvenient and painful as well, not to mention detrimental to a mans health. The problems that could stem from an enlarged prostate might go beyond that area itself and spread to other areas of the body; they can also create a systemic infection that affects the body as a whole. There are many effective treatments that are available for this condition, and the sooner it is diagnosed the easier it will be to treat. One of the most common symptoms is nocturia, which is the problem of frequently needing to wake up at night to urinate. There are also other similar symptoms such as not being able to empty the bladder completely, having pain when urinating, and sometimes observing blood in the urine happens too. Men who suffer from an enlarged prostate usually notice the nightly bathroom trips as the first sign. Other symptoms that may be noticed include trouble starting to urinate even though the urge to do so is strong, slight incontinence or leaking of urine, and increase trips to the bathroom. Experts believe that an enlarged prostate is the result of getting older, and it is the most common prostate problem for men who are over the age of 50. By the age of 60, over half of men have the condition, and by age of 85, it is estimated that 90% of all men have an enlarged prostate. There are several other names that the condition of having an enlarged prostate is known as, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH, hyperplasia, and prostatitis as well. The symptoms that present themselves for all of these conditions are pretty much the same, and also include returning to urinate literally minutes after finishing, a stream of urine that starts and stops inconsistently during urination, and a slow or weak urinary stream. The problem with an enlarged prostate and the source of much of the pain and discomfort is the fact that when it is swollen, the prostate presses on the urethra, which is a tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis. If the enlarged prostate is too much, it can even cut off the flow of urine completely, which is an emergency situation that needs medical attention right away.