The role of your prostate in your overall health isn’t all that significant, but when problems arise in this small gland, they can cast a wide net. Here are a few tips to help keep your prostate in good health.
Nearly half of all men in their 50s have an enlarged prostate, and this number rises with age, as 90% of men in the United States over the age of 80 have the problem. The good news is that an enlarged prostate usually doesn’t present any serious medical concerns. The bad news is that it can lead to quality-of-life issues thanks to the side effects.
To determine whether your prostate may be enlarged, which is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Dr. Robert Cornell and our team pulled together five telltale signs.
Before we jump into the signs of an enlarged prostate, let’s quickly take a look at the location and role of this gland, which will help you better understand the side effects of BPH.
Your prostate gland surrounds your urethra, and its main responsibility is to produce semen. With BPH, the cells of your prostate begin to multiply, enlarging your prostate and placing pressure on your urethra, which is what accounts for the symptoms we discuss below.
One of the primary hallmarks of an enlarged prostate is difficulty emptying your bladder fully. This leads to frequent urination since your bladder is retaining urine.
Due to the pressure on your urethra, you may experience urinary leakage, which is typically a dribble.
If you find yourself waking throughout the night to urinate, this is likely a sign of an enlarged prostate. While there are times when you need to urinate because of excessive fluid intake the day before, nocturia occurs regardless of how many beverages you’ve had and leads to two or more visits to the bathroom during the night.
One of the more common complaints with BPH is feeling the need to urinate, but when you do, you have trouble initiating the process. In some cases, you may start and stop urination several times.
As the pressure on your urethra grows, you may have to strain to urinate, and in some cases, urination can become painful.
If you find yourself with any of these symptoms, Dr. Cornell performs a thorough evaluation to determine whether BPH has developed and where.
Based upon this information, he recommends a treatment plan that could include:
If you’re struggling with any of the symptoms we describe above, we urge you to contact our office in Houston, Texas, as soon as possible. Through early intervention, we can restore your quality of life by restoring your urinary function.
You Might Also Enjoy...
The role of your prostate in your overall health isn’t all that significant, but when problems arise in this small gland, they can cast a wide net. Here are a few tips to help keep your prostate in good health.
The penis is often considered a symbol of masculinity and all that’s implied by that word — power, confidence, strength. If you feel there’s more to your penis than meets the eye, genital contouring can help.
You’re thrilled to welcome a new member of the family, but you’re also struggling with some unwelcome aftereffects of pregnancy, such as an overactive bladder. The good news is that we can help.
We know your love life is a matter of the heart, but this also includes your sexual function. Here’s a look at the connection between cardiovascular health and erectile dysfunction.
You want your sex life back, but you’re worried about the “new normal” with a penile implant. Rest assured, these devices are helping scores of men (and their partners) find joy in the bedroom again.
You’re not as young as you used to be, and it’s beginning to show in many areas, including your sexual health.We explore some of the reasons why you may experience a decline in sexual desire and how we can help.