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Enlarged Prostate

Enlarged Prostate Overview

A man's prostate gland usually starts to enlarge after he reaches 40 years of age. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The prostate gland secretes a fluid that helps to nourish sperm. The gland itself surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the tip of the penis (see multimedia file 1). As the prostate grows larger, it may press on the urethra. This narrowing of the urethra can cause some men with prostate enlargement to have trouble with urination. Prostate enlargement may be the most common health problem in men older than 60 years of age.



Next: Enlarged Prostate Causes »

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Enlarged Prostate - Symptoms Experienced

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Enlarged Prostate

Bladder Control Problems Overview

People who have bladder control problems have trouble stopping the flow of urine from the bladder. They are said to have urinary incontinence. Incontinence is uncontrollable leaking of urine from the bladder. Although urinary incontinence is a common problem, it is never normal.

Incontinence is both a health problem and a social problem.

  • Most people with incontinence suffer social embarrassment. Many become depressed and limit their activities away from home, often becoming socially isolated and lonely.

  • Physical conditions linked to incontinence include infection, skin irritations and infections, falls, fractures, and sleep disturbances.

  • Many people with incontinence are too embarrassed to talk to their health care provider about it. They "cope" or "just learn to live with it." This is changing gradually as people realize that help is available.

    ...
Read the Bladder Control Problems article »



Read What Your Physician is Reading on eMedicine

Prostate Hyperplasia, Benign »

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that may restrict the flow of urine from the bladder.

Read More on eMedicine »

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