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Enlarged Prostate 101: Problems To Watch For
Nanja Bongers
A man's prostate will continue to grow throughout his entire life, but that doesn't mean that it's going to become problematic. In most situations, it's only problematic if it's enlarged. Although most people know that an enlarged prostate can be a problem, few people really understand enlarged prostates and what they actually mean. If you're struggling with waking up in the night to urinate, it may be caused by an enlarged prostate. Here's a look at some of the things that your urologist will want you to know.
Enlarged Prostate Can Strain Your Bladder
When your prostate is enlarged, it can sometimes block your urethra. If this happens, you may find it more difficult to urinate because the urethra can't sufficiently pass urine. As a result, you might strain harder to urinate, which will stress your bladder muscles. This stress on your bladder muscles can actually weaken your bladder, making bladder control more difficult than it would otherwise be.
Urinary Tract Infections Are Common
Dealing with an enlarged prostate also often means struggling with urinary tract infections. That's because the enlarged prostate makes it difficult to fully empty your bladder/ The residual urine in the bladder can encourage bacteria to replicate. This leads to a urinary tract infection, which can be painful and requires antibiotics to treat.
Kidney Stones May Develop
Residual urine in your bladder can also lead to kidney stones in some instances. When urine is left to sit, salts and minerals that are naturally present in the urine may collect and harden, forming stones. Kidney stones can cause further blockages in the urethra, which may worsen the problem. Kidney stones are uncomfortable, causing acute pain and sometimes increasing your risk of infections as well.
Kidney Damage Can Occur
Your bladder is directly connected to your kidneys. When an enlarged prostate leads to increased pressure in your bladder, that can also lead to pressure on your kidneys. That pressure can actually damage your kidneys. In addition, if you experience a urinary tract infection, that can spread from your bladder to your kidneys as well.
These are some of the most common issues that can occur with an enlarged prostate. Talk with a urologist right away if you're experiencing symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Your urologist can help you treat the problem to ease your discomfort and make things more manageable. Reach out to a urologist today for more help and information.
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