Benign Prostatic HyperplasiaBy: Justin Barber

What is it?

BPH is a non-cancerous increase in the number of cells that make up the prostate. Since women do not have prostates, this disease will only occur in men. Also, the only victims of this disease are older men.

What is the cause of it?

During puberty, the prostate goes through very quick growth and the stops after puberty. Then when a male becomes older, his prostate will grow more, but at a much slower rate. Because it grows so slowly, most men do not notice the symptoms of this disease.

What happens?

The most common symptoms of BPH are:› Frequency – When you urinate more than

normal› Urgency – Having a sudden feeling that

you need to urinate immediately› Nocturia – Getting up multiple times during

the night to urinate› Hesitancy – Having difficulty starting the

urine stream

Medicines and cures

Terazosin (Hytrin), relieve symptoms within a few weeks but do not stop the process of prostate enlargement.

Dutasteride (Avodart) or finasteride (Proscar), may reduce the size of an enlarged prostate but may take 6 months or more to show any effect on symptoms.