Frequent urination and enlarged prostate (Credits: iStock)
\n\nWaking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom may seem like a harmless inconvenience, particularly as men grow older. But when those trips become frequent enough to disrupt sleep, they could be a sign of an underlying health problem that deserves attention. One possible cause is an enlarged prostate, although it is far from the only explanation.
\n\nThe medical term for repeatedly waking up during the night to urinate is nocturia. According to Dr. Prakash Babu, Consultant, Urology and Robotic Surgery at Manipal Hospital Whitefield, it can be an early indicator of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland.
\n\nThe prostate is a small gland located below the bladder that surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body. As men age, the prostate may enlarge and narrow this passage, making it difficult for the bladder to empty completely. Explaining the connection, Dr. Babu says, "The prostate gland becomes larger as you get older, and this presses on the urethra and irritates the bladder wall." When urine remains in the bladder after urination, the urge to go again may return sooner. This can…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle
