Ms. Li’s husband, Mr. He, is 45 years old. Over the past month, he has been getting up to use the bathroom at night several times, sometimes spending over ten minutes inside. When asked about the situation, he attributed it to drinking too much water before bedtime. Ms. Li wondered if her husband’s frequent nighttime urination indicated a kidney issue.
After seeking medical attention and examinations at the hospital, it was found that the problem was not related to kidney issues, and it was crucial to understand these aspects!
Despite being 45 years old, Mr. He and his wife maintain a satisfying and harmonious relationship, engaging in certain intimate activities regularly.
However, as men age, they may encounter some health concerns. Recently, Mr. He started experiencing increased frequency and urgency of urination, especially after engaging in intimate activities.
His wife thought it was due to exhaustion and kidney deficiency, so she provided him with various supplements to support kidney health.
Although traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes holistic health maintenance and the time needed for the effects of medications to show, Mr. He’s condition did not significantly improve during the period of supplementing his health and instead worsened over time.
Initially experiencing frequent and urgent urination, Mr. He now has to wait a long time during each urination, feeling like the bladder is not emptied completely. This discomfort at night prompted him to seek medical advice.
“Doctor, I have been experiencing frequent and urgent urination for quite some time now. Could it be due to kidney deficiency?” Mr. He asked somewhat awkwardly.
“Kidney deficiency? Could you describe the situation in more detail?”
Based on Mr. He’s description, the doctor learned that about a year ago, Mr. He began gradually experiencing frequent and urgent urination, which had progressed to a more severe stage. Not showing other classical signs of kidney deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine, the doctor recommended further examinations.
A digital rectal examination revealed that Mr. He’s prostate had significantly enlarged to approximately 5*4*4cm compared to the normal size of 4*3*2cm.
“Considering your situation, this could be prostate hyperplasia, but we need to conduct further tests for confirmation,” explained the doctor after the examination and proceeded to arrange additional tests.
An ultrasound scan indicated a significant enlargement of Mr. He’s prostate, causing compression on the urethra and bladder. Moreover, blood tests and biopsies did not show signs of prostate cancer. The doctor promptly diagnosed Mr. He with prostate hyperplasia.
As Mr. He’s condition of enlarged prostate was not severe enough to warrant surgical removal, the doctor prescribed medication for control and advised regular follow-up examinations.
The doctor stated:
Prostate hyperplasia is quite common in China, especially with the increasing age of males, significantly elevating the probability of occurrence. In Mr. He’s case, he has developed the common condition of prostate hyperplasia.
I. Clinical definition of prostate hyperplasia?
Benign prostate hyperplasia, commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly Chinese men, is a prevalent urological condition. The prostate, a male reproductive gland located below the bladder surrounding the urethra, increases in size with age, leading to urethral compression and consequent urination difficulties.
The exact cause of prostate hyperplasia remains unclear, but hormonal regulation is believed to play a role. In China, prostate hyperplasia is widespread, with statistics indicating that half of men over sixty experience this condition.
II. Typical signs of prostate hyperplasia?
The manifestations of prostate hyperplasia become increasingly apparent with the degree of enlargement, primarily evident as progressive urination difficulties, frequent and urgent urination, and incomplete voiding.
1. Filling phase manifestations
As the bladder and urethra are compressed, the bladder’s capacity decreases; manifestations during the filling phase include increased frequency of urination, urgency, and nocturnal urine volume. In advanced stages of prostate hyperplasia, patients may experience urinary incontinence due to severe urethral obstruction.
2. Voiding phase manifestations
Voiding symptoms mainly include difficulty in urination, waiting for urination, and weak urine stream.
Due to difficulty in urination, patients often strain during urination, leading to increased intra-abdominal pressure and potentially causing hernias.
3. Post-voiding manifestations
Post-voiding symptoms include incomplete emptying of the bladder and post-void dribbling. Prostate hyperplasia patients commonly experience incomplete voiding, leaving residual urine in the bladder, known as urinary retention.
III. Clinical treatment strategies for prostate hyperplasia
Based on the extent of prostate hyperplasia and individual patient conditions, treatment approaches vary, categorized as follows:
1. Watchful waiting: Less severe cases with good urethral condition may undergo observation and scheduled follow-up visits for proactive monitoring.
2. Pharmacological treatment: Tailored treatment regimens are prescribed based on specific symptoms and individual variances. Common medications used in treating prostate hyperplasia focus on relaxing the bladder smooth muscle and managing prostate enlargement.
3. Surgical treatment: Surgical removal can directly alleviate the symptoms of prostate hyperplasia and is a crucial treatment modality in clinical practice.
IV. Lifestyle measures for prevention and management
Prostate hyperplasia is prevalent among middle-aged and elderly men in China, with the risk and severity increasing with age. In daily life, individuals can reduce the risk of prostate hyperplasia by engaging in regular physical exercise and adopting a healthy diet. Moreover, it is advisable to minimize alcohol and caffeine intake to avoid stimulating diuretic effects.
