Enlarged Prostate Causes

A male organ, the prostate gland is located beneath the bladder and it surrounds the urethra. The main function of the prostate gland is to secrete semen, which is a milky-colored fluid that nourishes and transports the sperm during ejaculation. Mid to late 40s, happens to be a period of prostate growth for most men. Clinically termed as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the condition of an enlarged prostate occurs, when there is a rapid multiplication of cells in the central portion of the gland, during its growth. Due to this enlargement, the prostate presses on the urethra (duct through which urine is discharged in most mammals and which serves as the male genital duct) and partially blocks urine flow.

What Causes Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
The prostate gland of an infant is of the size of a pea and it grows slightly as the infant proceeds towards childhood. When the child hits puberty, there is a rapid growth spurt and at the age of 25, the prostate gland gets fully developed and attains the size of a walnut. Talking about the causes, doctors do not have any solid theory which can clearly identify the reason behind prostate enlargement. However, assumptions say that with age, there are possible changes in the levels of male hormone (testosterone) and female hormone (estrogen) levels in men. This change in the ratio is considered as one of the possible causes of prostate enlargement. Some doctors believe that an increase in the number of cells (hyperplasia) or an increased sensitivity of the gland towards normal levels of hormone, with increasing age, may be a contributing factor in the onset of BPH.

Symptoms
The symptoms which have been cited below may not appear for all men. It has been studied that 50% of the men come up with such signs and symptoms which are prominent enough to drive them towards medical help. The symptoms include difficulty in initiating urination, stopping and starting while urinating, and at times blood in urine. The patient may feel a strong urge to urinate, especially at night, however, he may not be able to empty the bladder completely. Dribbling post-urination, need to exert extra force while urinating and a sudden need to urinate are the other symptoms of prostate enlargement.

Home Remedies to Manage the Symptoms
Apart from what the doctors have to say about the treatment of the condition, here are a few home remedies which can be put to use in order to control the symptoms and keep the illness from worsening over time.

• Do away with any habit of going for a sip of coffee or any other beverages before bed time. This will help you to lessen the number of visits to the washroom.
• Drugs such as decongestants or antihistamines may aggravate the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and so does the consumption of alcohol or caffeine. So, try taking a long break from them.
• Do not wait until you feel that you cannot hold it any longer. Go for your needs whenever you feel the urge. Delaying the process will overstretch the bladder and cause more damage and may somehow contribute to the causes of BPH (whatever they may be)
• Bladder training is one effective home remedy, which most people benefit from. This is about retraining the bladder by keeping regular times or a fixed schedule to urinate. This habit helps the patient to improve severe frequency or urgency of urination.
• Exercises, as always said, help in the recuperation of any kind of illness. So, staying active helps in reducing the urinary problems due to prostate enlargement.
• Lastly, keep yourself warm as being subjected to cold, triggers urine retention and thus, increases the urgency to urinate.

As aforementioned, the causes of an enlarged prostate are merely based on assumptions, which may be close to being definite. However, more important than knowing about the causes of the condition, is to be abreast about its symptoms and treatment. After all, if prevention is not possible, cure is what should be the primary concern and focus.