If you are a man over 50 and have started having problems urinating, the reason could be an enlarged prostate, otherwise known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As men get older, their prostate increases in size. As it grows, it squeezes the urethra. Since urine travels from the bladder through the urethra, the pressure from the enlarged prostate may affect bladder control.
If you have BPH, you may have a frequent and urgent need to urinate. You may get up several times a night to go to the bathroom. You may have trouble starting a urine stream. Even though you feel you have to rush to get to the bathroom, you find it hard to start urinating. You may notice a weak stream of urine, just a small amount of urine each time you go, the feeling that you still have to go even when you have just finished urinating, leaking or dribbling urine or small amounts of blood in your urine. You may barely notice that you have one or two of these symptoms or you may feel as though urination problems have taken over your life.
Is BPH a sign of cancer? No. It’s true that some men with prostate cancer also have BPH, but that doesn’t mean that the two conditions are always linked. Most men with BPH don’t develop prostate cancer. However, because the early symptoms are the same for both conditions, you should see a doctor to evaluate these symptoms.
By itself, BPH is not a serious condition, unless the symptoms are so bothersome that you can’t enjoy life. But BPH can lead to serious problems. One problem is urinary tract infections. If you can’t urinate at all, you should seek medical attention right away. Sometimes this happens suddenly to men after they take an over-the-counter cold or allergy medicine. In rare cases, BPH and its constant urination problems can lead to kidney damage.
Be sure to consult with your doctor or with an urologist if you are having symptoms of BPH. Your doctor can diagnose the condition and may prescribe medication or one of several non-surgical procedures that can provide relief.
—Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Good Neighbor Pharmacy Health Connection, June 2014