Enlarged Prostate

Many men over the age of 50 unfortunately experience prostate complaints. It is a major problem among aging men. An annoying ailment that can not only be limiting but in some cases also dangerous when you talk about prostate cancer. So as a man, it is important to pay close attention to your prostate and recognize complaints in time so that you can take action quickly. Here you can read what prostate complaints are and how you can recognize them.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a gland located in the area between the bladder and the urethra. The gland is about the size of a walnut and is a very important part of the man's body because it produces important hormones. But due to the production of hormones and aging, the prostate grows. This is a normal process.

In every man, the prostate becomes larger as the man ages. But when the prostate becomes too large, the man suffers from urinary complaints. This is because the urethra becomes narrower and therefore the bladder has to work harder. Since the bladder is a muscle, the bladder wall becomes stretched and this causes the man to have urinary problems.

How do you recognize an enlarged prostate?

As soon as a man's prostate becomes too large, causing the bladder to work harder, you will experience certain complaints. Some complaints can also correspond to another complaint, so it is always good to assess it calmly and objectively before panicking and making an appointment with the doctor.

The most common complaints that may indicate an enlarged prostate are frequent urination but smaller amounts, weak urine stream, burning sensation when urinating, unwanted urine loss, nighttime urge, dripping and the feeling that the bladder has not been emptied properly. Complaints such as burning sensation can also indicate a urinary tract infection.

A urinary tract infection is often the result of an enlarged prostate. Because the bladder has to work harder to empty, the bladder becomes stretched, resulting in the bladder not being emptied properly. The urine that remains in the bladder is sensitive to bacteria and can cause a urinary tract infection. A urinary tract infection is very painful for a man and needs proper treatment immediately.

What can you do yourself against an enlarged prostate?

If you are faced with an enlarged prostate, you can do a number of things yourself. Drink enough alcohol and preferably as little alcohol as possible. Urinate thoroughly, so take your time to urinate. No matter how annoying, if you feel the urge to urinate, go to the toilet. Holding urine is not a good idea and can cause a urinary tract infection.

Medications for an enlarged prostate

If the prostate complaints become very severe, the doctor can prescribe a number of medications. Like alpha blockers, these relax the bladder and prostate. As a result, less pressure will be exerted on the urethra. The doctor can also prescribe a medication to lower testosterone levels, but this is not the first choice.

It is advisable to always contact your GP if you have long-term urinary complaints.