Illnesses are common with the aging process. Both men and women can expect their share of various illnesses. These include arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart attacks, strokes, etc. Some diseases affect women more than men and vice versa. However, one problem that women are exempted from, and affects mostly elderly gentlemen quite often, is benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.
What is BPH?
This is a condition that occurs with the enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate is a tiny, walnut-sized gland, located just below the bladder. The prostate encloses the urethra, the tube responsible for carrying urine from the bladder. There is no determined cause of BPH. However, researchers believe BPH occurs due to hormones and age. For example, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone that controls the growth of the prostate. The prostate grows in two stages. This occurs during puberty and later at 25. DHT production reduces with age. However, some men accumulate the DHT hormone, in the prostate, which causes the gland to enlarge. Although there is no conclusive evidence to this theory, it has been observed that men who do not produce the DHT hormone do not develop BPH.
What are the Symptoms of BPH?
As the prostate gland is located so close to the urethra, most symptoms of BPH are centered on urinary problems. For example, the most significant symptom related to BPH is the problems that occur with urine flow. Men affected with BPH have problems starting a urine stream, as well as, stopping the urine stream once it has started. In addition, men affected with BPH also urinate often, especially at night. When they do pass urine, it is most often, a weak stream and even though urine has passed, they may feel the urge to pass urine again due to the feeling that the bladder is still full. Some men may have difficulty passing urine at all. In these instances, they may be affected by infections and other urinary tract problems due to the buildup of urine (urine retention). The symptoms vary from person to person. Some persons affected with BPH may not suffer most of these symptoms while others may do so.
Should you Worry about BPH?
Most doctors would say that you should worry about BPH only if there are serious problems with your symptoms. BPH rarely causes complications, and, contrary to popular belief, is not associated with prostate cancer. However, there are instances when complications cannot be avoided. Difficulty passing urine is the most significant problem with BPH. This is because the enlargement of the prostate blocks the urethra completely resulting in the complete inability to pass urine. Unfortunately, you may have to consider the use of a catheter for emptying your bladder. Chronic urinary retention can also result in kidney damage. You should consider prompt treatment as severe kidney damage can result from chronic urinary retention. Infection of the prostate may also be a problem, as a result of long-term inflammation to the prostate. This can be extremely painful. Other complications related to BPH may include bladder stones and bladder infections.
So, if you have problems with urination, and experience any of the above symptoms, you should consider medical advice. Do not ignore these symptoms as complications may occur that can be extremely discomforting. We hope you find our blogs on various topics relevant to Active Adult Living useful and invite you to like us on Active Adult Living Facebook page Visiting Activeadultliving.com will give you a chance to browse through over 8,500 listings of wonderful age-targeted retirement communities with active lifestyles involving, sports, socializing and action-packed senior living.
