Mr. Lin, 50 years old, has been frequently urinating during the day recently, but unable to urinate smoothly. He wakes up at night feeling the urge to urinate, leading to poor sleep at night. The embarrassment of frequent bathroom trips during social outings made his work experience difficult. To pinpoint the problem, he visited the hospital and was informed that these symptoms were caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. The doctor prescribed him some medication based on his condition and suggested dietary adjustments.
After a period of treatment, Mr. Lin experienced fewer nighttime awakenings and less frequent urination during the day. So, what exactly is benign prostatic hyperplasia, and why do many men suffer from it?
Doctors warn: Men, be vigilant! After 50 years old, do these four things to avoid benign prostatic hyperplasia!
What is the prostate, and what is benign prostatic hyperplasia?
The prostate is a male-specific reproductive organ located at the exit of the bladder, surrounding the urethra;
It has functions of both exocrine and endocrine glands, controlling urination and transportation functions; as age increases, the prostate also enlarges. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common disease in elderly men. The main conditions for its occurrence are aging and testosterone secretion. According to epidemiological investigations, the incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia increases with age, with the initial onset usually after the age of 40, exceeding 50% at 60 years old, and up to 83% at 80 years old.
The main cause of benign prostatic hyperplasia is age and testosterone levels, with common triggers being alcohol consumption and a certain genetic predisposition. This means that if severe symptoms occur before the age of 50, there should be caution regarding a genetic tendency. However, the correlation with the intensity of sexual activity, diabetes, and vasectomy remains controversial.
Based on epidemiological data, these causes are unavoidable, but does this mean that benign prostatic hyperplasia is inevitable? Is there no way out once you have it?
Actually, that’s not the case. First and foremost, it should be clear that benign prostatic hyperplasia is a benign disease with slow progression. Seeking medical attention promptly when symptoms appear can effectively control the progression of the disease.
Furthermore, there are many treatment options available for benign prostatic hyperplasia, such as common drug therapy, surgical treatment, as well as treatments like prostatic stents or urethral microwave thermotherapy. Next, we will explain in detail how to identify prostate problems and help everyone effectively deal with the troubles caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia.
What are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and how to determine them?
The main symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia manifest during urination, with approximately 50% of patients experiencing moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms. The main symptoms are bladder irritative symptoms (frequency, urgency, dysuria), and obstructive symptoms.
Bladder irritative symptoms
The typical symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia are bladder irritative symptoms (frequency, urgency, dysuria), with increased nocturia and frequent daytime bathroom visits, medically known as frequency. Clinical data shows that when nocturnal urination exceeds 3 times, it is already a serious condition;
In addition to frequency, there may also be urgency and dysuria, and occasional urgency urinary incontinence. Many male patients tend to attribute abnormal urination to stress or irregular routines and selectively ignore them, hoping for self-recovery, which further exacerbates the symptoms.
Obstructive symptoms
As benign prostatic hyperplasia progresses, there may be obstructive symptoms in more severe cases, such as difficulty urinating, initially manifested requiring a moment to pass urine when there is an urge, medically termed hesitancy or impaired voiding.
Subsequently, the urine stream may become thinner, weaker, shorter, or spray-like. As the saying goes, “When young, men can urinate three yards against the wind, but as they age, even a light breeze wets their shoes.” While this may sound crude, it actually reflects symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
After experiencing difficulty urinating, the bladder may not completely empty, resulting in residual urine (urine remaining in the bladder unable to be voided), which can lead to chronic urinary retention. Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia may experience acute urinary retention triggered by sudden cold or hot weather, excessive fatigue, excessive alcohol consumption, frequent sexual activity, or upper respiratory tract infections.
Complications
As benign prostatic hyperplasia progresses, the harm to the body becomes more apparent, leading to severe complications such as urethral bleeding, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, or even uremia. When bladder irritative and obstructive symptoms occur, your body is already alerting you: “Take me to see a doctor, I have a problem.” When complications arise, treatment becomes more complex, and the treatment period may change accordingly.
We urge men with any of the above symptoms to be vigilant and seek medical attention promptly. Below, we want to share with you an internationally recognized form (IPSS scoring system) used by doctors to assist in diagnosing and treating benign prostatic hyperplasia. While it may not assess the actual size of benign prostatic hyperplasia, it is highly valuable in evaluating symptoms during clinical treatment.
Note: 0-7 points (mild), 8-19 points (moderate), 20-35 points (severe), individuals with 8 or more points should pay attention. How can you avoid the troubles caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia?
First, if you do not have symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia, congratulations, you currently do not need medication or surgical treatment. However, with increasing age and continuous testosterone secretion, benign prostatic hyperplasia is almost unavoidable. By actively doing the following four things, you can effectively prevent it. Even if you already have benign prostatic hyperplasia, you can alleviate the symptoms:
● Good dietary habits
Avoid spicy foods, as consuming spicy foods regularly can cause congestion in the reproductive organs, compressing the prostate and worsening symptoms.
Limit caffeine and alcohol intake. While alcohol and caffeine may have diuretic effects, they can exacerbate symptoms due to increased diuresis and stimulation, leading to more frequent urination.
Have three regular meals a day and avoid overeating. Consume foods that promote bowel movements to keep bowel movements smooth, preventing pressure on the bladder and urethra.
● Use medications with caution
When using medications like atropine, belladonna, ephedrine, or isoprenaline, pay close attention to changes in urination. Do not change medication dosage randomly; consult a doctor if significant symptoms occur, and adjust medication use appropriately. Only use medications when necessary.
● Drink water in moderation
Don’t increase water intake blindly. Drink more water during the day. Drinking too little water can cause dehydration, hinder the flushing action during urination, lead to the formation of stones due to concentrated urine, and result in complications. Reduce water intake appropriately at night to prevent excessive bladder filling during sleep, causing more nocturia.
● Avoid holding urine
Frequent urine retention can weaken the detrusor muscle of the bladder, impair bladder function, and worsen symptoms. Therefore, always empty your bladder when you need to urinate.
If you experience bladder irritative or obstructive symptoms, please seek medical attention promptly. Treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia needs to be individualized. Do not easily believe in unverified or unqualified folk remedies, nor use treatment drugs obtained from other patients without going to a reputable hospital for a proper diagnosis to receive better treatment.
Summary:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is very common in daily life, and most men tend to overlook its presence for various reasons. However, this attitude is not advisable. Benign prostatic hyperplasia itself is not frightening, but the potential harm from prolonged disease progression and resulting complications is significant. The impact on quality of life and mental well-being from corresponding symptoms is often the real threat to life. Therefore, we hope that friends who have read this article can remind themselves or male friends around them to actively address the “alerts” their bodies are giving them.
