Facts about what mostly causes enlarged prostate
I've arranged the “what causes enlarged prostate” page in a way it would be easier for you to understand what's going on with the prostate. The following questions will get the right answers in the paragraphs below: What is prostate? What is its function? Where is it in your body? What causes enlarged prostate? Does this problem occur to other men? How can I know this enlargement benign?Let's go on with our “prostate-knowledge”. What is prostate? What is its function? Where is it in your body? The prostate is a gland part of the male reproductive system. It secretes a fluid which carries and nourishes the sperms during ejaculation process. The prostate surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that allows the urine to pass from the urinary bladder to outside your body. The normal size and shape of the prostate gland nearly resembles a walnut. Figure What causes enlarged prostate? Does this problem occur to other men? How can I know this enlargement is benign?When the prostate enlarges; it becomes bigger in size and starts to exert some pressure on the urethra, this can cause narrowing of the urethra with subsequent urination and bladder troubles. Prostate enlargement remains the most frequent medical problem in elderly men (above 65 years old). An enlarged prostate is usually referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or benign prostatic hypertrophy. Fortunately, enlarged prostate is not related to cancer, and it doesn’t increase your susceptibility of having prostate cancer as well. What happens in an enlarged prostate is an abnormal rise in the number of the cells (hypertrophy or hyperplasia). But, the factor that causes enlarged prostate is still unknown. However, factors related to increase in age, and problems in testicles are believed to be the most common reasons. Generally, the risk factors which cause enlarged prostate include: Risk of having prostate enlargement becomes higher with aging. It is thought that all elderly men will suffer from enlarged prostate (BPH) sooner or later. About 10% BPH cases are young men (above 40 years of age), while the majority of cases are men above 80 years old.Testicles (even if functioning normally) are one of the causes of enlarged prostate.In conclusion, the enlarged prostate is normal with aging, but when to seek for medical support? You must contact your doctor immediately if you have one or all of below signs: Less urination than you normally do.Malaise or chills. Unusual pain in the side, abdomen or back of your body. When your urine becomes red in color or smells bad.You still feel that your bladder is full even after complete urination.If you are taking drugs that might cause some kidney troubles, such as hypertensive medications, drugs for allergy, or analgesics, you must not by any way stop or reduce your dose without consulting your doctor. In order to determine what causes enlarged prostate, your doctor will ask you to tell him/her your complete medical history, and to describe exactly what your symptoms are. A digital rectal examination will be done gently by your doctor to evaluate the enlargement of your prostate. Some other tests will be done too, including: Post-void residual urine test: to measure the amount of residual urine after you urinate. Pressure flow studies: to determine the pressure exerted on your urinary bladder while urination. Urinalysis test: to estimate presence of blood or pus. Urine culture: to determine the type of micro-organisms causing the infection. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test: to discover cancer if present.
Related topics:
|