Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a disorder which affects the urinary functions of the body. All men stand a risk of suffering from this disease. And this risk increases dramatically with age. BPH occurs due to enlargement of the prostate gland which is present around the bladder neck.

Symptoms ::
A need to urinate often, a feeling of not having emptied the bladder, post urination drip, pain, delay or hesitation while urinating, a need to strain to urinate. Weak or broken flow while urinating. Do consult your physician if you notice these symptoms.

Diagnosis ::
Digital rectal examination, urine test, urine flow rate test, blood test, endoscopy.

Treatment ::
A number of drugs have been introduced recently. Purified extracts of fruits of Serenoa Repens, a North American plant, have been found very effective.

Drugs like smooth muscle relaxants help smoothen flow of urine. Enzyme inhibitors cause regression of the enlarged gland. But these have side effects. Ask your doctor for details. Thermotherapy is a non-surgical alternative. Surgical treatment is transurethral resection (TURP).