• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Prostate Cancer / Signs You May Have an Enlarged Prostate

Signs You May Have an Enlarged Prostate

enlarged prostate

The prostate, a small gland that produces fluid for semen, is in an ideal position to cause trouble. The gland wraps snugly around the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. It’s a tight squeeze — and it only gets tighter as men grow older.

As men age, the prostate inevitably grows, putting more and more pressure on the urethra. For some men, this growth is too slow to ever cause any symptoms. But for most, it’s only a matter of time before trouble sets in. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than half of all men in their 60s and 90 percent of men in their 80s have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic hypertrophy, or simply BPH.

For most men, an enlarged prostate is little more than a nuisance. But in severe cases, it can completely block the flow of urine and create a medical emergency. Whether a man’s condition is mild or extreme, he has many options for relief.

RELATED: How a Healthy Lifestyle Promotes a Healthy Prostate

You May Also Like
5 Top Sunscreens for Black Skin

What are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate?

As the prostate begins to squeeze the urethra, emptying the bladder becomes more and more difficult. Common symptoms include the following:

  • Frequent urination, especially at night
  • A weak urine stream
  • Topping and starting during urination
  • Leaking, dribbling
  • A feeling that the bladder is never completely empty

How is an enlarged prostate diagnosed?

If you’re a man over 40 with the above symptoms, your doctor will immediately suspect an enlarged prostate. However, it’s not the only possible diagnosis. The doctor will probably want to run a few other simple tests to rule out other conditions. A urine test can check for infection. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test combined with a digital rectal exam may help rule out prostate cancer. The digital rectal exam will also allow the doctor to feel the prostate and gauge its size. Be sure to discuss these tests with your doctor if he or she recommends them in order to weigh their potential benefits or risks.

In some cases, severe symptoms appear even though the prostate is only slightly larger than normal. For this reason, your doctor may not notice any unusual swelling during the digital rectal exam. If there’s doubt about the cause of symptoms, the doctor may take a closer look by inserting a cystoscope — a narrow tube equipped with a tiny camera — into the urethra. You may also be asked to urinate into a device that measures urine flow.

What can you do to ease your symptoms?

First things first: If you have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, you should see your doctor. Remember, there’s a chance that your symptoms may signal something more serious. Once your doctor diagnoses your enlarged prostate, there are many things you can do to help yourself. If your symptoms are mild, these self-care steps, adapted from Mayo Clinic guidelines, may be the only treatment you need:

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains
  • You can cut down on nighttime trips to the bathroom by avoiding drinking beverages after 7 pm.
  • Try to urinate when you first feel the urge. Every time you urinate, make an extra effort to empty the bladder completely.
  • Go easy on alcohol and caffeine, which increase the need to urinate.
  • Avoid over-the-counter cold remedies that contain antihistamines and decongestants. Antihistamines can impair the muscles that control the opening to the bladder and the bladder itself. Decongestants can tighten muscles around the bladder, making it difficult to empty. If the cold medication contains both, it may be nearly impossible to urinate.
  • Stay active. Regular exercise can help keep urine from pooling in your bladder.
  • Keep warm. When your body is cold, your bladder is more likely to retain extra urine.

What can your doctor do to treat your enlarged prostate?

In recent years, the Food and Drug Administration has approved several drugs for the treatment of enlarged prostates. One class of drugs, known as alpha-blockers, relaxes muscles at your bladder neck and makes it easier to

Continue Reading

The Latest In Prostate Cancer

new prostate cancer technology

New FDA Approved Technology Could Be a Big Win for Prostate Cancer Patients

New FDA-approved technology could be a significant win for prostate cancer patients across the US. With this innovation, patients may be able to get the treatment they need much sooner. Scientists have been making strides in battling the disease in read more about New FDA Approved Technology Could Be a Big Win for Prostate Cancer Patients
processed foods

10 Ways To Easily Kick Processed Foods Out Of Your Diet

Processed foods are popular because they’re usually convenient and often filling. However, those benefits can come at the cost of your overall health. While many doctors recommend taking processed foods out of your diet, it’s not always easy to know read more about 10 Ways To Easily Kick Processed Foods Out Of Your Diet
prostate cancer

At High Risk of Prostate Cancer? Here’s How to Lower Your Odds

Through our genes, we may inherit good traits. That height you have or those light eyes may be passed down from your parents. The unfortunate part about genes, however, is that they can increase our risk of developing certain health read more about At High Risk of Prostate Cancer? Here’s How to Lower Your Odds
biopsy

Not Ready For A Biopsy? Talk To Your Doctor About These 3 Alternatives

If your doctor suspects you’re at risk for prostate cancer, they might recommend a biopsy to confirm it. However, biopsies can be invasive and painful so it’s understandable when some people are hesitant to have them. That’s why it’s good read more about Not Ready For A Biopsy? Talk To Your Doctor About These 3 Alternatives
grill

Grill Safely This Holiday Weekend With These Tips

July Fourth is nearly here, and chances are your weekend plans include at least some grilling. Check out the following cooking tips from registered dietitian Elizabeth Murray to help protect yourself and your loved ones. RELATED: Does Charcoal Grilling Cause read more about Grill Safely This Holiday Weekend With These Tips
milk

Could Milk Raise a Man’s Odds for Prostate Cancer?

Almond, oat, coconut, etc. There are so many options to choose from when selecting milk, which is great if you are lactose intolerant or have special dietary needs. For those of you who aren't lactose intolerant, and can indulge in read more about Could Milk Raise a Man’s Odds for Prostate Cancer?

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Like Father, Like Son: ‘Miami Vice’ Star’s Son Handsome Like his DaddyLike Father, Like Son: 'Miami Vice' Star's Son Handsome Like his Daddy
  • Football Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes AmputatedFootball Legend & Coach Deion Sanders Has Toes Amputated
  • LL Cool J & Wife Simone Smith Celebrate 25 Years Married: “We Celebrate Life”LL Cool J & Wife Simone Smith Celebrate 25 Years Married: "We Celebrate Life"
  • Marjorie Harvey: Fit, Fine & 57!Marjorie Harvey: Fit, Fine & 57!
  • 7 Ways To Prevent Yellow Eyes7 Ways To Prevent Yellow Eyes

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.