Enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a very common condition that occurs when a man's prostate gland grows beyond a normal size. This typically begins to happen in middle aged men past the age of 50. The prostate grows large enough that it presses against the urethra, restricting the flow of urine. This can lead to damage to the kidneys, bladder, and urinary tract.
Men with BPH end up getting up frequently throughout the night to urinate, but they have difficulty initiating a stream of urine. As the disease gets progressive, the difficulty worsens-and you can never get all of the urine out of your bladder. (The fear is that the urine can get backed up in the kidneys, which leads to renal failure because the urine slowly kills the kidneys over time. So keep getting up to urinate.)
The way men decide to treat BPH treated is very personal. Some opt for aggressive treatments that remove part of the prostate around the urethra; others opt for more conservative treatments like medication and alternative therapies that decrease swelling and help relax the muscle that's clamping the urethra down.

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Benign (non-malignant) enlargement of the prostate gland is known medically as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. BPH is an extremely common condition. Current estimates are that it affects more than 50 percent of men during their lifetime. The actual frequency increases with advancing age, from approximately 5 to 10 percent at age 30 to more than 90 percent in men over 85 years of age.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.