[tag]Benign Prostatic Hyperlapsia[/tag] (BPH), commonly referred to as “[tag]Prostate enlargement[/tag]” is a condition which affects the male prostate glands. The term “Benign” refers to “an infection which is not caused by cancer or non-malignant” and Hyperplasia refers to “enlargement”.
The prostate gland is located between the [tag]urethra[/tag] (the urine tube) and the bladder (where urine gets stored). The prostate gland enlarges or keeps growing bigger in size, as men grow older. Due to this enlargement in size of the prostate, there is a pressure exerted on the urethra, causing the flow of urine to slow down.
Symptoms: The symptoms of BPH are gradual, the foremost being frequent urge to urinate during night. This develops into a constant urge for frequent urination both during the day and night. Other symptoms are difficulty in passing urine, dribbling after urination, decrease in the strength and volume of urine etc. But these are also the common symptoms for other serious diseases like [tag]bladder infection[/tag] or [tag]cancer[/tag]. Hence it is important to discuss the symptoms with the doctor, so that proper diagnosis can be made.
Diagnosis: Based on the symptoms, a rectal examination is the first step done by a doctor for diagnosis. Through a rectal examination, the doctor can feel the size of the enlarged [tag]prostate gland[/tag]. A urine sample is collected to rule out any infection. Also in conjunction with rectal examinations, a blood test, an [tag]ultrasound[/tag] or biopsy will help the doctor in diagnosing any malignancy if present.
Causes: There is no definite cause for BPH, but it is believed that age related factors and testes may prompt the BPH development. Though it is known that men has higher proportion of [tag]testosterone hormones[/tag] and less of estrogen, studies reveal that with age, the testosterone levels decrease leading to increased amount of estrogen in the gland which promotes factors leading to cell growth.
It is also believed that Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is a substance derived from testosterone present in the prostate, can help in stimulating the prostate growth. With age the ability to produce DHT hormone decreases, though a few older men may continue producing higher levels of DHT which gets accumulated in the prostate and encourages the cell growth. It has been found that men who do not produce DHT will not develop BPH.
Check out Ayurvedic remedies for BPH here