It is an enlargement of the prostate gland, of benign origin. With age, it is normal for it to enlarge, especially after the age of 50, but if the enlargement is excessive it causes symptoms.
The main risk factors for developing it are: previous inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), obesity, high fasting glucose levels and diabetes.
It manifests with frequent urge to urinate (often with a feeling of urgency), problems in starting to urinate and poor urine flow. It may be accompanied by discomfort when urinating, a sensation of not having completely emptied the bladder and urine leakage at the end of urination.
Diagnosis is clinical, by means of a complete physical examination and questioning, including digital rectal examination.
Changing some daily habits may delay the onset or course of the disease. Alpha-blocker medication will be prescribed to relax the muscle of the urinary bladder, favoring its evacuation. Likewise, 5 alpha reductase inhibitors are drugs that reduce the size of the prostate, avoiding the compression it exerts on the bladder emptying duct.
- Glenn R Cunningham, Dov Kadmon. Clinical manifestations and diagnostic evaluation of benign prostatic hyperplasia. UpToDate Aug 20, 2015.
- Glenn R Cunningham, Dov Kadmon. Lower urinary tract symptoms in men. UpToDate May 11, 2015.
- Glenn R Cunningham, Dov Kadmon. Epidemiology and pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia. UpToDate Aug 11, 2015.
- Glenn R Cunningham, Dov Kadmon. Medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. UpToDate Oct 08, 2015.
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