245. Help for an Enlarged Prostate
If they live long enough, most men will eventually suffer from an enlarged prostate gland—what doctors call a benign prostatic hyperplasia. An enlarged prostate is troublesome but not usually life threatening. The symptoms are:
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•Increased urge to urinate and/or urinating often, especially during the night.
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•Urine flow problems (delay in onset or decreased or slow stream).
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•Not emptying the bladder all the way.
These symptoms indicate that your prostate gland has enlarged enough to partially obstruct the flow of urine. Treatment for an enlarged prostate includes medication to relax the bladder neck muscle or to cause the prostate to shrink or surgery, if needed. No treatment is needed if symptoms are mild, but regular exams should be done to see if symptoms worsen. Because an enlarged prostate can lead to kidney problems, contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
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•A burning sensation when you urinate.
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•Pain in the lower back, groin, or testicles.
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•Fever and chills.
An enlarged prostate does not necessarily indicate the presence of prostate cancer. A digital rectal exam can be done in your doctor’s office to screen for prostate cancer. A blood test called a PSA may also be done.
