What is BPH?
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is diagnosed when a man’s prostate gland (the walnut-shaped gland responsible for producing sperm) has grown to an abnormal size. An enlarged prostate can restrict the urethra, or the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis. This restriction can lead to blockage of the flow of urine through the urethra and other uncomfortable urinary symptoms. Symptoms tend to worsen with time, and this is because the prostate grows larger as time passes.
These symptoms include:
- Inability to completely empty the bladder
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- Weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts
- Frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia)
- Difficulty starting urination
- Urinary tract infection
- Inability to urinate
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
Preventing BPH
Although there is no guaranteed prevention, a helpful strategy to avoid developing BPH may be to maintain a healthy weight and to eat a healthy diet that includes a balance of fruits and vegetables. Staying active for a consistent amount of time each day can also help regulate hormone levels and control your weight. Avoid caffeine, acidic drinks such as soda, tomato juice, orange juice, and alcohol.
Factors that may increase your risk for developing BPH include:
- Family history: Having a blood relative, such as a father or a brother, with prostate issues increases your likelihood to also experience problems.
- Aging: After age 40, signs of prostate enlargement begin to manifest themselves. For every three men, one experiences moderate to severe symptoms by age 60, and that number increases to one in every two men by age 80.
- Lifestyle: While exercise can lower your risk, obesity increases the risk of BPH.
- Diabetes and heart disease: Studies show that using beta blockers or either having diabetes or heart disease may increase the risk of BPH.
See Greenlight Laser, Urolift , and Rezum for more details on how we address Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Schedule an appointment today with our healthcare providers at ASUI so we can help you navigate the uncertainties of BPH!