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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is sometimes referred to as an enlarged prostate. BPH is a condition wherein benign or non-cancerous nodules enlarge the prostate gland, which produces the liquid in which sperm are expelled from the penis. BPH has been characterized as one of the most common diseases affecting the prostate gland (Herb China, 2004).

The actual cause of BPH is unknown though men who have had their testicles removed do not develop BPH and after castration, BPH has been observed to regress. In other words, the presence of normally functioning testicles appears to be necessary for the development of BPH. The incidence of BPH increases with advancing age. A small amount of BPH is present in 80 percent of males over the age of 40 and in 95 percent of males who are 80 years old and over (Herb China, 2004).

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that many of the same risk factors that are associated with cardiovascular diseases apply as risk factors for BPH. According to Dharmananda (2002), these risk factors include obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. The diabetes connection seems especially strong. The risk is with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus which often involves excessive insulin levels, a possible direct contributor to the growth of the prostate. As with cardiovascular disease, both exercise and moderate alcohol consumption appear to be protective for BPH.

When the prostate becomes enlarged, it begins to squeeze the urethra and causes a number of urinary tract problems. In some cases, the prostate becomes so enlarged that it can cause a blockage in the urethra. This can lead to serious bladder and/or liver problems (Health Envelope, 2003). Symptoms of BPH include the following:

1) (varicose) Frequent Micturation: This is a symptom at the early stage of the disease. Gradually, the frequency of urination increases, which is obvious especially at night. In mild cases the urinat...

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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 11:10, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1693318.html