Benign Prostate enlargement.
The rapid reproduction of the central portion of the cells of prostate gland, in the second phase of normal growth of prostate gland is known as benign prostate enlargement.
As the man ages, the prostate enlargement is quite common and this condition by physicians is called as benign prostate enlargement or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) or benign prostate hypertrophy.
Mostly this condition is found in men above 50 years of age.
Information from researchers show that in America, around 4.5 million people visited physicians for benign prostate enlargement in 2000.
The growth of the prostate is mainly in two phases after birth.One growth stage is mainly in the initial stages of puberty and the prostate grows almost double in size.
Benign Prostate enlargement
The second phase of growth is nearly at the age of 25. Sometimes, the second phase of growth results years later, in prostate enlargement. During this phase, the cells of the central portion of the prostate gland begin to multiply more rapidly and thus cause the condition, called benign prostate enlargement. Benign prostate enlargement seldom show symptoms before the age of 40.
The main cause of benign prostate enlargement is still controversial. Studies done by various researchers showed that aging and testosterone may be the factors responsible for the benign prostate enlargement. Some researchers have found that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) present normally in testosterone and helps controlled growth of prostate. With aging, men lose the ability to produce DHT. Some scientists have researched that some men continue to produce DHT, which leads to high levels of DHT in the blood and enhances the growth of cells.
Symptoms of benign prostate enlargement are quiet painful and disturbing. The warning signs and symptoms of enlarged prostate are:
- Stream of urine becomes weak.
- Incontinence
- dribbling of urine
- blood in urine in small amounts
- Unsatisfactory micturition
- Painful ejaculation
- Impotence
- Fatigue
- Gradual loss of bladder function
- Sometimes, inability to urinate fully due to pressing of urethra by prostate enlargement
- On digital rectal examination by the physician size and feel of prostate is noticed.
Benign prostate enlargement or BPH is not a sign of prostate cancer as some men with prostate cancer may have prostate enlargement, but the two conditions are not related.Benignprostate enlargement in men mostly does not lead to prostate cancer.The early symptoms are quite similar and one must see a doctor.
Unless the symptoms are not troublesome, benign prostate enlargement is not a serious condition.