Non-cancerous, benign enlargement of the prostate gland. It usually gets bigger with age, especially after the age of 50, but can cause symptoms if it grows too much.
The main risk factors for developing it are: previous inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis), obesity, high fasting blood sugar levels and diabetes.
Symptoms include frequent urination (often with a sense of urgency), difficulty passing urine and weak urine stream. It may be accompanied by discomfort when passing urine, a sensation of incomplete voiding and leakage of urine after voiding.
It is diagnosed clinically by clinical questioning and additional physical examination with rectal examination.
Changing certain daily habits may delay the onset or progression of the condition. Alpha-blockers may be prescribed to relax the bladder muscles and help voiding. In addition, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are medications that reduce the size of the prostate gland, thus preventing compression of the duct that empties the bladder.
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- 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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