Prostate Awareness

Prostate health is very important to men. An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, can lead to a host of problems including urinary dysfunction. We have known of a good deal of friends who had a relative with this sort of porblem. For you and those you love, learn to be aware of the prostate gland, its function and what to do in the event of enlargement.

The Purpose of the Prostate

The prostate gland plays an important role in fertility. It is located below the bladder and it surrounds the urethra. This gland secretes fluid that nourishes sperm as it passes through the tube system and becomes part of the seminal fluid.

It is not uncommon for the prostate gland to become enlarged at some point in a man’s life, usually during the latter part of his thirties and on into the later years. While it is not necessary cancer that is causing the enlargement, it can still become a problem if the prostate gets too large.

Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate

The prostate can become enlarged for many reasons, including infection and cancer. But, once the prostate becomes enlarged, certain symptoms become apparent:

Frequent urination – This can occur because the prostate has enlarged enough that it is pressing in on the urethra which carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. The feeling resembles the sensation of a full bladder but only a trickle comes out. The urine stream doesn’t fully stop all the time either.

Swelling you can sense – This swelling can lead to a feeling of fullness not only in the bladder but in front of the rectum as well.

Discharge – There may be a discharge from the penis as well as frequent urination. The discharge can be a sign that an active infection is in progress. The infection may come from retaining urine in the bladder each time you go to the bathroom. That can lead to urinary tract infections as well.

Treatment

If you feel these symptoms, visit your urologist right away. Untreated infections can lead to other problems that you don’t want to deal with. Early detection aids in successful treatment of an enlarged prostate.

Your doctor will ask you questions and also perform an exam. Testing will involve checking for signs of cancer including testing your PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level to rule out cancer as a possible cause.

If the problem is not cancer, the treatment may be to wait and see. Removing the prostate through surgery is a last resort unless it is absolutely necessary and your symptoms are severe. Medication may be used to help relax the muscles so that urine can pass by unobstructed. It can also be used to shrink the prostate gland.

Dealing with enlarged prostate requires attention but not necessarily drastic measures to treat it.