In daily life, we often hear about many men suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia, a chronic disease. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is closely related to unhealthy habits and lifestyle, such as consuming spicy foods, holding urine, and prolonged sitting. First, it is a common male disease in life.
If we want to prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia, we need to start from various details in life, so as to safeguard our health.
As one of the common prostate diseases in men, benign prostatic hyperplasia can have many impacts on men’s life, work, and physical and mental health, and to some extent, affect men’s normal sexual function. The disease is accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty urinating, urine pain, and frequent urination once it occurs. Severe cases can also affect male fertility, impacting the harmony of life between spouses. Secondly, the causes of men developing benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a disease that troubles male friends a lot, so, what factors lead to men developing benign prostatic hyperplasia?
First, a lack of hormones in the body. A normal ratio of two hormones, estrogen and testosterone, is essential for normal sexual function in men. As men develop benign prostatic hyperplasia, testicular atrophy may occur. With a continuous decrease in estrogen secretion in the body, prostate estrogen becomes more sensitive, leading to a series of benign prostatic hyperplasia and chronic diseases.
Second, some unhealthy habits in life, such as unhealthy diet and smoking and drinking. These unhealthy dietary and lifestyle habits easily lead men to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia as spicy and stimulating foods and alcohol have a certain stimulation effect on the prostate.
Over time, male blood vessels dilate, emotional excitement causes prostate swelling and congestion, reducing the prostate’s resistance and adaptability to the external environment.
(In the form of benign prostatic hyperplasia)
Moreover, an unreasonable diet, an imbalanced diet can lead to obesity, which also increases the probability of men developing benign prostatic hyperplasia to some extent. In daily life, men should consume more fresh fruits and vegetables, supplement the body with necessary nutrients and trace elements, and reduce the probability of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Third, excessive sexual activity in daily life. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is directly related to sexual activity. If one does not control their sexual activity regularly, keeping the reproductive organs congested for a long time, it may lead to prostate congestion and enlargement, directly increasing the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Fourth, lack of exercise and prolonged sitting. Many men focus on work, lack physical exercise, and sit for long periods, these habits may lead to atherosclerosis in men, further obstructing blood circulation in the prostate area, preventing blood flow to the prostate, reducing the pressure in the prostate area, and continuously increasing the probability of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Fifth, not paying attention to personal hygiene during sexual activity. Neglecting personal hygiene can easily lead to infection with benign prostatic hyperplasia. If the body’s resistance is unstable, the scrotum and foreskin areas are susceptible to dirt damage, providing favorable conditions for bacterial reproduction and survival, leading men to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Sixth, having a habit of holding urine. Many men do not go to the bathroom for half a day or even a day. If one drinks a lot of water regularly, the urine will constantly concentrate, leading to prolonged accumulation of mycotoxins in the prostate, damaging the prostate, increasing the chances of developing benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Seventh, other chronic diseases causing men to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia. For example, genitourinary chronic diseases like seminal vesiculitis and cystitis, if not treated in time, can stimulate the body with inflammation. If the prostate undergoes prolonged stimulation, it can trigger benign prostatic hyperplasia.
(The structure diagram of the prostate) Third, 40 is the turning point for men
The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic says: After forty, the Yin Qi halves itself. The Yin Qi mentioned here refers to the kidney Qi in the body, meaning that after the age of 40, the male’s essence has declined to only half of what it was before.
The ancients say: One is not troubled at forty. Forty is an important turning point for men. From a disease perspective, forty is also a significant risk turning point. Men after the age of forty will suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia to varying degrees, so men over forty should pay special attention to urological diseases.
The hormone levels of middle-aged men continue to decline, and the functions of body organs will also decrease and deplete to a certain extent. Without the maintenance of a nutritious diet and good habits, one will face a series of male diseases that affect normal work and life.
According to relevant statistics, benign prostatic hyperplasia is a problem that middle-aged and elderly men must face, and it is their unspoken concern. The probability of benign prostatic hyperplasia onset in men over forty is 50%. In other words, one out of two individuals is likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia.
The incidence rate of benign prostatic hyperplasia increases with age. As people age, their organs and functions degenerate continuously; after the age of 60, the incidence rate of benign prostatic hyperplasia in the population is as high as 70%.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia has two significant turning points in its onset, one is puberty, and the other is after forty years of age. During puberty, the prostate is in a period of rapid growth, reaching its peak around 25 years of age. From the age of 30 to 40, the development of the prostate will be relatively stable.
After the age of forty, male hormones will significantly decrease, and many men may develop benign prostatic hyperplasia. As the prostate continues to enlarge, it may progress to severe benign prostatic hyperplasia over time, with only a small number of men escaping this condition. Fourth, different degrees of benign prostatic hyperplasia require different treatments.
Treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia should be tailored based on different patients and the severity of symptoms.
Firstly, purposefully change one’s lifestyle and control their daily routine. If the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia are in the early and mild stages and do not affect daily life and work, treatment through lifestyle changes can be considered.
For instance, reduce smoking and alcohol consumption, avoid consuming spicy foods, avoid prolonged sitting, refrain from using coffee for mental control, minimize the impact of coffee and alcohol on life.
Secondly, if there are prominent symptoms, medication is necessary. Patients who do not require surgical treatment can be treated with oral finasteride and tamsulosin sustained-release capsules. Through long-term and multiple courses of treatment, these medications can alleviate the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia to some extent.
How do these drugs work in the body? Medications for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia contain alpha-adrenergic blockers, which block adrenaline in the prostate, reducing smooth muscle tension in the prostate, addressing male urinary difficulties.
Alpha-adrenergic inhibitors can also inhibit the conversion between testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, reducing the dihydrotestosterone content in the prostate. After long-term drug therapy, the size of the prostate will gradually decrease.
Plant-based agents can inhibit the synthesis of reductase, and they also contain alpha-adrenergic blockers internally, providing similar functions to finasteride, a medication for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Currently, there are no drugs or surgeries that can completely eradicate benign prostatic hyperplasia. Only a series of preventive measures and controls can be taken.
Thirdly, if benign prostatic hyperplasia has progressed to a severe and late stage, and oral medication has little effect, surgery is necessary. Resection of the hypertrophic prostate is essential to alleviate the patient’s symptoms, prevent bladder stones, urethral infections, hematuria, and renal function impairment in the later stages.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common issue among men, and many times, we cannot avoid it. If one has not developed benign prostatic hyperplasia, prevention should be actively carried out, and if one has developed benign prostatic hyperplasia, there is no need to worry excessively. The key is to face it calmly.
Many people are curious about the relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. In fact, benign prostatic hyperplasia does not progress to prostate cancer; they are entirely different conditions. Hyperplasia refers to the enlargement of prostate tissue, and only a minority of patients require surgical treatment.
Fifth, adopting seven good habits for preventing benign prostatic hyperplasia
So, for individuals over forty who do not want to be targeted by male diseases like benign prostatic hyperplasia, what good habits should they adopt?
Firstly, drink more water. Drinking water not only helps eliminate toxins through urine but also promotes the prostate’s circulation. Drinking water is greatly beneficial to health and aids the body’s metabolism.
A low intake of water may lead to a decrease in the body’s metabolism and circulation, eventually causing kidney stones. Advanced kidney stones can block the male’s ejaculatory ducts, resulting in chronic reproductive organ diseases and excruciating pain.
Secondly, exercise actively and exercise daily. Prolonged maintenance of a fixed posture can compress the reproductive organs, leading to a series of chronic diseases and troubles, tormenting individuals.
For male friends, to maintain the health of their reproductive organs and normal function, they must not overlook the crucial aspect of exercise. Exercise can enhance blood circulation, strengthen the body’s immunity, allow the reproductive organs to adapt to different environments and external stimuli. The reproductive organs’ function usually offers favorable conditions for male reproductive health.
Thirdly, consume fewer spicy and stimulating foods, establishing a balanced diet habit. Diet is a crucial aspect for men. We must eliminate greasy, fried, and spicy foods that are difficult to digest in the body, burdening liver function.
In severe cases, this can lead to fatty liver, hypertension, and liver cancer, along with a decline in reproductive organ metabolism and circulation, resulting in chronic reproductive organ diseases. Therefore, maintaining a regular and light diet is essential.
Fourthly, control chronic diseases such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Many people do not pay attention to their blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids, eventually developing chronic diseases. Chronic diseases do not form in a day or two but require a long-term developmental process in the body.
Thus, chronic diseases erode various systems and organs in the body, causing significant physiological harm. Let’s take diabetes as an example: if blood sugar in the body is consistently high for a period, it can lead to an increase in ketones in the prostate, causing significant damage to the male reproductive organs.
When ketones in the body are too high, urine has a very unpleasant smell, and individuals may suffer from frequent urination, making the kidneys feel uncomfortable throughout the body.
Fifthly, manage one’s sex life properly and engage in sex reasonably. Excessive or insufficient sexual activity is detrimental to individuals. Excessive sexual activity can increase the likelihood of benign prostatic hyperplasia, and severe cases can cause inflammation in the prostate.
Prolonged suppression is also unhealthy for the body; therefore, individuals must arrange their sex life reasonably. The specific frequency and timing should be determined based on one’s capabilities and age. For individuals in good health, 3 to 4 times per week is reasonable, whereas individuals who cannot handle too much can opt for once or twice per week.
Sixth, maintain cleanliness in intimate hygiene. Unclean private areas provide a breeding ground for bacteria. To prevent the onset of prostatitis, it is essential to frequently maintain hygiene and cleanliness in the private areas, change and wash underwear frequently, avoid tight underwear, and keep the groin area well-ventilated and dry.
Seventh, take precautions against cold. Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia are very sensitive to cold, and their adrenal receptors contract when exposed to cold and stimuli. External stimuli increase the pressure in the urethra, affecting the urinary system, leading to difficulty in urination, feeding back into the vicious cycle of increasing pressure on the prostate patients, worsening their condition.
As a common male reproductive organ disease, benign prostatic hyperplasia escalates with age, and its incidence rate only increases. Benign prostatic hyperplasia gradually emerges in younger individuals and can lead to early male aging.
Therefore, male friends must pay attention to their bodies in life, observe changes in physiological functions, consult a doctor promptly if any adverse reactions occur, and try to avoid inconveniencing their physiological cycles.
In advanced benign prostatic hyperplasia, not only will it affect male fertility, but it also brings about a certain sense of pressure for the other activities. Therefore, physiological health and lifestyle habits should both be valued. Preventing the onset of chronic diseases and physiological illnesses is essential.
