The prostate gland continues to grow throughout a man’s life. This gland encircles the urethra, which is how urine travels from the bladder to be excreted from the body. As the gland enlarges, a non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic hypertrophy or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can develop.
An enlarged prostate may cause a variety of symptoms in more than 4.5 million American men each year. Over 50% of men in their 60s experience BPH while 90% will have BPH by the time they have reached the seventh and eight decades of life.
Symptoms of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy)
BPH can occur with no or few symptoms. The size of the prostate does not necessarily correlate with the severity of urinary symptoms as some men with only a slightly enlarged prostate may experience more symptoms than another man with more advanced enlargement of the prostate.
Urinary symptoms due to BPH often develop over time, often years, and may include:
- hesitancy – a feeling of needing to urinate but have difficulty initiating the flow
- a weakened stream of urine
- flow of urine is interrupted
- urgency – strong urge to urinate
- leakage or dribbling of urine
- frequency – needing to urinate at more frequent intervals
- nocturia – urinating more frequently at night
- urinary retention – the inability to urinate
BPH may produce sudden symptoms in a man who previously had no symptoms. These symptoms may be quite dramatic if the first symptom is acute urinary retention.
Stress incontinence (leakage of urine due to anatomical reasons) and overflow incontinence (due to the inability to completely empty the bladder) can result from untreated BPH and may lead to infections such as a UTI (urinary tract infection), kidney damage, bladder stones, other infections, and more.
Speaking with a healthcare provider regarding any urinary symptoms is important. These symptoms typically indicate BPH in senior men, but they can also indicate other potentially serious problems, such as cancer of the prostate. Early treatment may help prevent several of these complications, which might become permanent if not managed over time. Treating BPH in earlier stages may also allow for more and less invasive treatment options.
Senior Men and BPH
BPH is a common condition in senior men. The condition can produce a wide variety of urinary symptoms that can affect quality of life, disturb sleep, and may lead to permanent damage of the bladder and/or kidneys. A healthcare provider can investigate these symptoms to determine whether or not BPH is present. Early recognition of BPH may result in more effective and less invasive treatment options.
Readers may also wish to read:
Common Causes of Urine Colors – What Does Urine Color Mean?
Information in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.
Sources:
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases June 2006 web article entitled “Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia”
MayoClinic 2001-2010 web article entitled “Urinary Incontinence: Types”
Katrena Wells - Katrena Wells is a RN in NC with 17 1/2 years of experience in oncology, an educator since 1995, and has taught exercise classes since ...
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