5 Ways to Know Risks for an Enlarged Prostate

1. When Does an Enlarged Prostate Cause Problems?

As you grow older, your prostate will naturally increase in size. The condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or a non-cancerous enlarged prostate. About half of all men are diagnosed with an enlarged prostate around age 50, but only 10 percent of them need treatment. Only about half the men who are diagnosed with BPH at any time during their lives ever have symptoms that must be treated. An enlarged prostate can cause urine to back up in the bladder or block the urethra completely, causing kidney damage. If you are diagnosed with BPH, your doctor will perform a PSA blood test and a rectal exam to determine whether further treatment is needed. If you have an enlarged prostate and begin to have trouble urinating or have to go too frequently, see your doctor immediately.

2. Know Your Family History

Ask your father, grandfather, uncles and brothers about their health. For some families, sharing medical information comes naturally, but others may need to pry a little. Your male relatives may be embarrassed by prostate problems and not share them when they occur. Stress the importance of sharing medical histories, especially if you are having any symptoms. A man who has three or more family members with enlarged prostates (or cancer) is two to three times as likely to need treatment. The more you know about your family's past, the better you can prepare yourself.

3. Consider Other Medical Conditions

Natural prostate enlargement is common as you grow older, but too much growth, while non-cancerous, can cause pain and other urinary issues. If you are diagnosed with any medical condition, your prostate may be affected. Diabetes worsens urinary tract infections in many men, which may lead to an enlarged prostate. Heart conditions and circulatory diseases may also affect the prostate. Some medications may also cause urinary and prostate issues; you should consider this before you start any optional drug therapies, including treatment for erectile dysfunction and hair loss.

4. Mind Your Weight and Diet

Work on losing weight or staying at a healthy weight, as obesity raises the a risk of an enlarged prostate. If your diet consists of loads of vegetables and fruits, you may be helping to prevent BPH altogether. An unhealthy diet filled with sugars and processed foods contributes drastically to your risk factor. Since your diet can prevent a multitude of ailments, you should strive to eat healthfully, even if you are not otherwise at risk for prostate problems.

5. Consider Race and Ethnicity

White and African-American men are more likely than Asian men to need treatment for an enlarged prostate. African men are more at risk after immigrating to the United States. Diet may be a huge part of this risk, as a diet based on meat and dairy products tends to lead to more cases of prostate conditions than diets that have soy and rice as staples. However, doctors are not sure why BPH affects certain races and ethnicities more than others -- which means you should have regular screenings if you fall into any of the high-risk categories, even if you do maintain a healthy diet.