Prostate Enlargement After 60: Symptoms, Stages, and When Leakage Enters the Picture

"It takes me a little longer these days."

That is how a lot of older men describe the first signs of an enlarged prostate. Instead of complaining, they adapt. First, they wake up once per night and over the course of a few months that becomes several times in one night. They even start planning their days around the proximity of bathrooms.

Many men think of prostate problems as serious when they start experiencing urine leakage. The changes to the prostate that cause urine leakage develop over several years, so waiting for leakage before seeking treatment is a poor decision making.

Early signs need to be considered are:

• An urgent immediate need to go to the washroom
• Waking up several times a night to urinate

Signs such as these will eventually cause urinary infections, lack of bladder control, and broken sleep to become normal parts of life. There will also be a gradual decline in age-related quality of life.

Seeking treatment before it becomes unmanageable is the right decision to make for a better life.

This article covers how prostate enlargement occurs after 60, the symptoms to look for at each stage, when urine leakage usually becomes a factor, and the treatment options available that assist older men in staying active and independent.

What Happens to the Prostate After 60

The prostate is located below the bladder and encircles the urethra. As men get older, they will find that their prostate tends to grow. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It's important to note that this growth is not cancer, and will not become cancer.

Squeezing the urethra leads to multiple symptoms. The flow rate will decrease as the urethra becomes more and more narrowed. The bladder will also find it more difficult to empty as it has to work against the enlarged prostate. Eventually, the wall of the bladder will thicken as a result of increased effort making it more sensitive and prone to urges to urinate.

An enlarging prostate exerts pressure on the urethra and constricts it. This pressure accounts for nearly all the symptoms your father is experiencing. The stream weakens because the passage is narrow. The bladder finds it increasingly difficult to empty due to the added resistance. Subsequently, the wall of the bladder thickens from this increased workload, leading to heightened sensitivity and urgency, resulting in frequent signals to void.

Prostate health becomes increasingly important to men as they age. The likelihood of experiencing some symptoms of BPH increases with each decade of life. While symptoms of BPH may be annoying to some, they can be disruptive to daily life, and in some cases can result in serious complications.

The Stages of Prostate Enlargement

Prostate enlargement is a gradual occurrence that can be broken down into a series of recognizable stages. Understanding where your father is in the progression can help you respond appropriately.

Early Stage

Changes at this stage are subtle. There may be a slight reduction in the urine stream. He may also have to hesitate for a moment before the urine starts to flow. He may even wake up during the night to relieve himself when this was never the case. Many men completely ignore this stage and the symptoms present because they are relatively simple to work around. This is the best possible time to see a doctor. In fact, there are some measures that can be taken to secure a sense of balance for many years.

Moderate Stage

As the gland continues to enlarge, symptoms can be more difficult to dismiss. This can increase nighttime visits to the toilet from one to two to three. The urge to urinate can arrive suddenly, and is often accompanied by a feeling that it is difficult to hold it. Also, the bladder may not completely empty, and he often returns to the toilet soon after. Sleep is negatively impacted, and as a result, he may become fatigued during the day as well. A doctor may prescribe muscle relaxants to combat the symptoms at this stage.

Advanced Stage

When the symptoms are advanced, the bladder becomes overwhelmed and urine may back up. Leakage is seen more frequently and some men may experience sudden involuntary retention of urine, which is a medical emergency. There is a high risk of recurrent urinary tract infections and possible strain on the kidneys. Doctors often entertain surgical options to relieve bowel obstruction at this stage.

When Urine Leakage Enters the Picture

Leakage is usually not an early symptom of a problem. It arrives much later when the bladder has been under stress for an extended period of time. There are a number of forms that leakage can take. There is leakage from the bladder not fully emptying and then slowly overflowing, and from sudden urges that occur so quickly a person cannot reach the bathroom in time. There is even the leakage from a small dribble that continues after a person thinks that he is finished.

Leakage brings not only a physical but also an emotional burden. Many older men feel embarrassed about leakage and begin to avoid social activities, travel, or visits with grandchildren. Loss of dignity can even be more important than controlling the symptom.

Discreet products help men keep active socially while dealing with the cause. AGEasy Adult Diaper Pants are designed to offer an underwear-like feel and have Smart Liquid Distribution technology that wicks liquid evenly across multiple layers of absorption to keep skin dry for up to twelve hours. They pull on like regular underwear, allowing a man to keep his independence without the humiliation of wearing tape-style diapers. For nighttime protection at home, AGEasy Disposable Undersheets protect the mattress and reduce the number of bedding changes, which helps you as a caregiver, and lets him sleep without worries.

These products do not address the prostate problem, and must therefore be combined with medical care.

Treatment Options That Help

Appropriate treatments depend on what stage the condition is and how the symptoms impact daily living. Although the physician will assist in making this decision, it helps to know what the general pathway is.

In mild cases, minor adjustments to daily routines can be very beneficial. As an example, not drinking liquids later in the day can help reduce the number of restroom trips during the night. Lowering the intake of caffeinated and alcoholic beverages can also relieve bladder irritability. Furthermore, the complete and total emptying of the bladder can be beneficial.

In more serious cases, physicians will often recommend treatment with medications. Certain medications will relax the muscular blockages around the prostate which creates an easier flow of urination. Other medications will reduce the size of the prostate over the course of several months. Many men notice a significant improvement in urination in a matter of weeks.

For patients where medications are no longer effective, there are several minimally invasive surgical options. These procedures remove tissue that creates obstructions in the urinary system. These surgeries have a very high rate of success and will often reestablish normal urinary function.

Reducing Related Risks at Home

As men grow older and develop health issues that require frequent trips to the bathroom, this increases their chances of falling, particularly if there are risky scenarios such as navigating a path to the bathroom in a dark environment. Simple changes can greatly mitigate these issues. Installing non-slip surfaces, as well as providing guidance through lights to an unimpeded pathway to the toilet, can assist him in his movements. AGEasy grab bars allow control to assist him in standing or sitting, and at the same time provide added protection to facilitate those trips that multiply in frequency as a result of prostate enlargement.

When to See a Doctor

If your father has changes in his urination, he should be encouraged to speak to a doctor about any concerns, not only when there are leakages. If there is blood in his urine, pain when urinating, if he has urinary tract infections, or develops fever with urinary symptoms, he should see a doctor.

If he suddenly cannot urinate at all, and has a full and uncomfortable bladder, consider this an emergency and go to a doctor. This is a blockage that needs to be addressed right away.

A doctor is the only person who can provide a diagnosis and rule out other conditions, such as prostate cancer, which can present with symptoms that are similar to BPH and are part of the diagnostic process. This is why a professional's assessment is crucial and this is only meant to be an overview and not a substitute for medical advice.

The Takeaway for Caregivers

Prostate enlargement after age 60 is common and manageable when dealt with early in the process. Take note of the subtle signs and symptoms well before urinary incontinence occurs. It may also be beneficial to encourage and support a doctor's visit, to adhere to the recommended course of treatment, and, as necessary, use products that will allow you to maintain your comfort and dignity during this process. With appropriate treatment, your father can maintain his confidence, and continue to enjoy the active and independent lifestyle that he values. He will also be able to sleep through the night without interruptions.