What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

Find out if your urinary issues are due to an enlarged prostate gland.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as prostate enlargement, is a condition that most men don’t know about but it’s still the most common prostate issue affecting men over 50 years old. As the prostate enlarges it presses against the urethra, this issues coupled with the fact that the bladder wall may thicken, can make it difficult to fully empty the bladder when urinating. From the office of our Jacksonville, FL, urologists Drs. Ahmad and Ali Kasraeian, find out if your urinary issues could be the result of BPH.

What are the symptoms of BPH?

If you have BPH the most common symptoms are an increase in urinary urgency and frequency. This means that you may urinate more than eight times throughout the day or you may feel a sudden urge to urinate that you can’t hold. When you do urinate you may notice that you have trouble starting or that there is a weak or interrupted flow.

Those with BPH may also find themselves waking up in the middle of the night to urinate. A blocked urethra or overworked bladder is often to blame for BPH.

Who is at risk for developing benign prostatic hyperplasia?

As we mentioned earlier, this problem most commonly affects men over the age of 50; however, it can be found in men as young as 40 years old. You may also be more likely to develop BPH if you have a family history of BPH. Other factors include being obese, having heart disease, or type 2 diabetes, and leading a sedentary lifestyle.

When should I see a doctor?

Since there are many conditions that can cause the same symptoms as BPH it’s important that you see our Jacksonville, FL, urologist to find out if your urinary symptoms are due to BPH or other issues such as a bladder infection, UTI, or an inflamed prostate. If you are dealing with the symptoms above it’s important that you seek medical attention and don’t ignore the problem.

How is BPH treated?

Your BPH treatment plan will usually involve a combination of lifestyle changes and medication; however, sometimes certain procedures or even surgery may be recommended depending on the severity of your condition. Lifestyle changes include:

• Limiting alcohol and caffeine
• Limiting water and liquids while in public
• Performing pelvic floor exercises

Medications such as alpha blockers may also be used to help relax the muscles of the bladder and prostate to improve urine flow and to prevent blockages. If medication and lifestyle changes don’t improve your symptoms then your urologist will discuss different minimally invasive treatments such as ultrasound or needle ablation treatment that could alleviate your symptoms.

If you are dealing with urinary problems it’s time to call Kasraeian Urology today to schedule an appointment at one of our three offices throughout Jacksonville, FL.