As men age, the prostate grows. As a result of this growth, many men develop an enlarged prostate (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH).
BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a condition of an enlarged prostate that is very common in men. In fact, as many as half of all men over 60 and more than half of men over 80 have symptoms of BPH.
While it’s not entirely clear what causes an enlarged prostate, there are a few risk factors that seem to be associated with the condition. The most common risk factors include age, family history, and obesity.
As we age, our bodies experience changes in hormones, as well as other systems that help control the size of our prostate gland. Men who are older than 60 are at a higher risk of developing an enlarged prostate.
Men with a family history of BPH or even prostate cancer may be more likely to develop an enlarged prostate themselves. If your father or brother has had BPH or prostate cancer, you may want to talk to your doctor about getting screened for BPH earlier than usual.
Finally, men who are overweight or obese may also be at a higher risk for developing an enlarged prostate. Being overweight can increase your chances for having high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which may put you at increased risk for BPH.
Despite being a non-cancerous condition, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) comes with risks and consequences. BPH can impact your quality of life.
If you have BPH, it can make it difficult to urinate. It can cause you to go frequently, at times you consider inconvenient. You may find yourself getting up several times a night to go to the bathroom, which can be disruptive to your sleep and daily life in general.
While BPH is not usually considered a life-threatening condition, it can increase your risk of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI). This is because the enlarged prostate contributes to bacteria buildup in the bladder and urethra, which is the tube urine passes through on its way out of the body. UTIs are relatively common infections that usually require antibiotics to treat; however, they can also lead to more serious conditions such as urosepsis if left untreated, so it’s important not to ignore or overlook any UTI symptoms. In rare cases, an untreated urinary tract infection can spread to your kidneys and cause permanent kidney damage.
BPH is also a risk factor for bladder stones and kidney stones. The enlarged prostate makes it harder for urine to leave the body; when this happens, some of the minerals that form urine can crystalize into solid stones within the urinary tract. These are typically painful and require medical intervention.
It’s important to have this condition checked out by a urologist, who can help you figure out how to manage it.
Don’t put up with this condition. Speak to a urologist today about how to treat enlarged prostate. For enlarged prostate treatment in Phoenix, Chandler and Gilbert, AZ call Desert Sky Urology. You can also check out Urolift treatment.
