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For many people, urination is something that they simply don't think about until they have to. Urine flow is something that can be very noticeable if it becomes a problem, though, and if it is a problem for you, you'll find that the more information on it you have, the better equipped you'll be to deal with it. For many men, if they have problems starting the flow of urine, even in circumstances where it has never been a problem before, the cause could very well be an enlarged prostate, a condition that is commonly known as benign prostatic hypertrophy or benign prostatic hyperplasia, often shortened to BPH.

There are several reasons which may be related to why a man's prostate will enlarge when he gets older. This is a condition that is most often seen in older men, around the age of forty, though men of all ages have been known to develop this condition. This is a very common condition, and should not be a source of embarrassment. As a matter of fact, it is worth noting that some professionals will say that all men will have an enlarged prostate if they live long enough, and according to several studies, it is a condition that is common to roughly 90% of men over the age 80.

Although having trouble starting the urine stream is one of the primary symptoms of an enlarged prostate, you'll find that there are some other symptoms as well. A strong and abrupt urge to urinate is common to this condition, as is a weak urine stream or dribbling after urinating. You may also find that you are straining to urinate or that your bladder does not empty all the way. In more severe cases, you may find that urinary retention occurs, where there is no urine production at all, or you might notice pain with urination or bloody urine, which can indicate that there is an infection involved.

If the symptoms are mild and not particularly troubling, you may be interested to see if a course of self-care will keep these symptoms minor. For instance, an avoidance of alcohol, the performance of Kegel exercises and a regular course of exercise can help, as can avoiding over the counter decongestants or antihistamines. A reduction in stress has been shown to be useful, as has the avoidance of drinking water less than two hours before bed.

As for any problem, more severe symptoms mean that you should go see a doctor as soon as possible. If you experience constant fever, blood in your urine, faints or vomiting, it is time to go see a medical professional. He or she might recommend antibiotics that can treat an inflammation of the prostate or Alpha-1 blockers, which are used to treat high-blood pressure. In addition, drugs to reduce the level of hormones created by the prostate can be instrumental in this case.

Remember that your health is a priority, so make sure that if you have this problem that you look into it!