Difficulty urinating, weak or interrupted urine stream, feeling your bladder is half full, frequent, or urgent need to urinate… These urinary symptoms are often linked to an enlarged prostate (BPH), a natural phenomenon affecting more than 50% of men from 50 years old. Although this condition is quite mild, it’s important to consult, just to make sure.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by an enlargement of your prostate due to the increased growth of your prostate cells. It is not a form of prostate cancer and does not increase the risk of developing it.

When enlarged, your prostate presses on your urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body), preventing normal passage of urine. This is a bit like what happens when you walk on a garden hose: you have a weak or slow urine stream… As your bladder has trouble emptying, other signs may appear like, leaking when you cough or sneeze, not to mention the many visits to the toilet, especially at night.

The cause of BPH remains unknown, although it may be linked to your diet if it is high in fat, your family history, and your hormones. Some men affected by BPH do not experience any symptoms. Others may have symptoms, often associated with their enlarged prostate, without understanding what justifies these changes, or knowing that they can be treated.

Can we prevent the enlarged prostate?

Not really because it is a natural phenomenon that begins when you hit your late forties. But the increase in volume and the symptoms vary from one man to another. Tobacco, excess weight, diabetes, and lack of exercise are believed to increase your risk. Conversely, an anti-inflammatory diet (turmeric, pumpkin seeds, fruits, and vegetables rich in antioxidants, etc.) and physical exercise could help.

Should we always treat BPH with medication? Surgery?

As long as the symptoms are not too bothersome, you should favor a healthy lifestyle. In fact, one in four men will need oral therapy (a bladder relaxant or treatment to shrink the prostate or both). Surgery is reserved for much more serious cases and when the drugs are no longer sufficient.

If you have urinary symptoms, it is best to consult to find the cause.

Take the time to visit each of our pages on this website, as well as our YouTube channel, in order to get familiar with the disease with our expert lectures, our section on available resources, the support that is offered to you.

Do you have any questions or concerns? Above all, do not hesitate. Contact us at 1 855 899-2873 to discuss with a nurse specializing in uro-oncology. It’s simple and free, like all our services.

Pages of our site that might interest you
Want to know more? Just click on one of the links below.
Recognize the signs and symptoms
Prostate related diseases

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Written by PROCURE. © All rights reserved – 2020