Prostate enlargement is an abnormal enlargement of the prostate gland causing variable degrees of bladder outlet obstruction.

Benign prostate hyperplasia, or BPH, is estimated to affect 50% of men over the age of 50 years. Eighty percent of men 80 years old or older are affected by BPH.

The prostate is a golf ball sized gland located around the urethra at the outlet of the bladder. It produces an alkaline prostatic fluid containing enzymes, minerals and proteins that nourish and protect sperm. It contributes to seminal fluid a secretion containing citric acid, phosphatase and other proteolytic enzymes which accounts for the liquefaction of semen. The rate of production of prostate fluid increases with active relations and stimulation.

Enlargement of the prostate occurs with aging. Hormonal factors, diet, lifestyle factors and genetics are all believed to play an important role.

The major male hormone testosterone is known to decrease with increasing age. A byproduct of testosterone called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, increases with age. DHT stimulates prostate gland growth. Also, some males are believed to produce higher levels of estrogen which is also believed to stimulate prostate growth.

Poor dietary factors such as increased consumption of alcohol, caffeine, sugar and processed foods are associated with increased prostate........

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