Prostatic hypertrophy cases triple over last ten years

Pro-static hyper-trophy, or an enlarged prostate, is one of the most common health issues among older men here in South Korea,... and the number of patients getting treated for it has tripled over the last decade.
And our Cho Sung-min takes a look at the efforts to cure and hopefully prevent the disease.
The prostate is a male-only organ that secretes the fluid needed as a nutrient for sperm and to prevent urinary tract infections.
However,... after the age of 50,... the prostate often becomes enlarged, causing prostatic hypertrophy.
"Going to the bathroom often is inconvenient, especially in the middle of the night as I can't get back to sleep."
An enlarged prostate effects 50% of men in their 50s,... 60% of men in their 60s, and 70% of men in their 70s.
While some cases just require regular check-ups,... medication and surgery could be needed depending on the symptoms.
Surgery will be performed if medication is not effective or if the enlarged prostate causes problems for the bladder or kidney.
Surgery can be done using lasers to reduce bleeding.
While prostatic hypertrophy has not been shown to be directly related to prostate cancer,... exercising regularly and limiting your fat intake can help reduce urination problems caused by an enlarged prostate.
Cho Sung-min, Arirang News.