Prostatic hyperplasia, benign (BPH)

Prostatic hyperplasia, benign (BPH)
A prostate problem that bothers men with age, BPH generally begins in a man's 30s, evolves slowly and only causes symptoms after 50. In BPH the normal elements of the prostate gland grow in size and number. Their sheer bulk may compress the urethra which courses through the center of the prostate and impede the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra to the outside. This leads to urine retention and the need for frequent urination. If severe enough, complete blockage can occur. BPH is very common. Half of men over 50 develop symptoms of PBH, but only 10% need medical or surgical intervention. BPH is completely benign. It is not a precursor (a forerunner) to prostate cancer. Treatment of BPH is usually reserved for men with significant symptoms. Watchful waiting with medical monitoring once a year is appropriate for most men with BPH. Medical therapy of BPH includes drugs such as finasteride and terazosin. The prostate enlargement in BPH is directly dependent on DHT, the principal androgen hormone in the prostate. Finasteride (PROSCAR) blocks the enzyme needed to make DHT and so lowers blood and tissue DHT levels and helps reduce the size of the prostate. Terazosin (HYTRIN) belongs to a class of medications called alpha 1 blockers which relaxes the smooth muscles of the arteries, the prostate, and the bladder neck. Relaxing the smooth muscles of the arteries lowers blood pressure. Relaxing the smooth muscles around the bladder neck helps relieve urinary obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate in BPH. Prostate surgery has traditionally been seen as offering the most benefits for BPH and also the most risks. BPH is also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (also symbolized as BPH) and as nodular hyperplasia of the prostate.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Prostatic hypertrophy, benign (BPH) — Nonmalignant (noncancerous) enlargement of the prostate gland, a common occurrence in older men. It is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (also abbreviated as BPH). BPH generally begins in a man s 30s, evolves slowly and only causes… …   Medical dictionary

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia — (BPH) also known as nodular hyperplasia, benign prostatic hypertrophy (technically a misnomer) or benign enlargement of the prostate (BEP) refers to the increase in size of the prostate in middle aged and elderly men. To be accurate, the process… …   Wikipedia

  • benign prostatic hyperplasia — n adenomatous hyperplasia of the periurethral part of the prostate gland that occurs esp. in men over 50 years old and that tends to obstruct urination by constricting the urethra abbr. BPH called also benign prostatic hypertrophy * * * (BPH) age …   Medical dictionary

  • benign prostatic hyperplasia — BPH. A benign (noncancerous) condition in which an overgrowth of prostate tissue pushes against the urethra and the bladder, blocking the flow of urine. Also called BPH and benign prostatic hypertrophy …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • benign prostatic hyperplasia — (BPH) see prostate gland …   Medical dictionary

  • benign prostatic hyperplasia — BPH; see prostate gland …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) — A prostate problem that bothers men with age, BPH generally begins in a man s 30s, evolves slowly and only causes symptoms after 50. In BPH the normal elements of the prostate gland grow in size and number. Their sheer bulk may compress the… …   Medical dictionary

  • Hyperplasia, benign prostatic (BPH) — A prostate problem that bothers men with age, BPH generally begins in a man s 30s, evolves slowly and only causes symptoms after 50. In BPH the normal elements of the prostate gland grow in size and number. Their sheer bulk may compress the… …   Medical dictionary

  • Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — A prostate problem that bothers men with age, BPH generally begins in a man s 30s, evolves slowly and only causes symptoms after 50. In BPH the normal elements of the prostate gland grow in size and number. Their sheer bulk may compress the… …   Medical dictionary

  • benign prostatic hyperplasia — noun enlarged prostate; appears to be part of the natural aging process • Syn: ↑BPH • Hypernyms: ↑hyperplasia * * * noun also benign prostatic hypertrophy : adenomatous hyperplasia of the periurethral part of the prostate gland that occurs… …   Useful english dictionary

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