An enlarged prostate is one of the symptoms of aging, as are the appearance of wrinkles, gray hair and a decrease in physical fitness. This is due to the decrease in androgens, i.e. male hormones, including testosterone. The problem with the prostate gland occurs in as many as 60% of men over the age of sixty. The main symptom is difficulty urinating, which makes everyday functioning difficult.
The prostate gland is located under the bladder. In the middle prostate the urethra is located, therefore, when the gland is enlarged, it compresses the urethra. This is why the primary symptom of a prostate problem is difficulty urinating. Urine flows much slower, the stream is small, which is why such a mundane activity becomes burdensome and requires more time.
Even worse, even after using the restroom, a man feels that his bladder has not been fully emptied. As a result, he defecates more often than normal, and nocturia occurs – waking up at night due to an overflowing bladder. An additional difficulty is the fact that the flow of urine is difficult to stop then and you have to run to the toilet as soon as possible.
There are also other symptoms of an enlarged prostate»>prostate that require immediate medical attention. Belong to them:
- Nausea,
- Dizziness,
- Urinary retention.
Any of these symptoms can mean that the urethra is completely clogged and urine is retained in the body and poisons the body. The doctor’s procedure in such a situation is most often reduced to an operation involving the extension of this part of the body, the so-called balloon or to remove tissue that is blocking the flow of urine.
Are you over 40? Time for preventive examinations
In the case of the prostate gland, prevention is the most important. Prostate examinations once a year is a must for men over forty. Doctors indicate that problems with prostate are affecting younger men. Such an examination can be performed by a general practitioner (per rectum) or a urologist. The specialist will check with a finger examination through the rectum whether the prostate gland is in a normal state or has already started to enlarge.
When it turns out that the gland has become enlarged, once a year (or more often) an ultrasound of the abdomen should be performed, which will allow you to accurately determine the condition of the prostate. Moreover, especially if the father or siblings of a given man suffer from prostate cancer, a blood test to determine the level of PSA markers should also be performed. Such a test will allow for a quick diagnosis of prostate cancer and give a good chance of curing the cancer.