Men, Don’t Ignore Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate

Men, if you’re trudging to the bathroom four or five times a night, it might be more than an inconvenience.

With age, many men develop an enlarged prostate. Symptoms such as frequent urination or difficulty starting urination may seem like nuisances you can tolerate. But if left untreated too long, an enlarged prostate can damage your bladder muscle and your kidneys.

The August issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter recommends that men see their doctor sooner rather than later — before damage becomes irreversible.

Prostate enlargement affects about half of men in their 60s and close to 80 percent of those between ages 70 and 90. A range of treatment options include medication and minimally invasive therapies to reduce the size of the prostate. Surgery is typically reserved for more severe problems.

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