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Bladder Problems in Men
Laser Procedure Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
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Benign
Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Enlarged Prostate
Dribbling
into Middle Age
Source: aim4health.com/dribbles.htm
Men's
Prostate Health
Men! Are your nights
interrupted by frequent trips to the bathroom? Do you groan in agony when you
see a "next rest stop, 60 miles" sign on the road? Have you given up
basketball games because you're doing more dribbling than the players?
If so, you've truly
entered middle age and are experiencing the one problem that nearly all men
share: Prostate problems, especially benign prostatic hyperplasia.
The prostate is a donut-shaped, chestnut-sized gland located below the bladder.
More important is that it surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine
flows from the bladder. If the prostate is inflamed or enlarged, as is often the
case with prostate problems, it can push against the urethra, pinching it and
causing it to narrow. The result is the same as when you pinch your garden hose;
the water dribbles out.
To compensate for
the narrowing of the urethra, the muscular wall of the bladder contracts more
strongly to expel urine. This increased "exercise" leads to the
thickening of the bladder wall and a decrease in its urine capacity. The bladder
will hold less and less urine, resulting in having to urinate more and more.
Basically, there is nothing you can do to keep the prostate from enlarging as
you age. When in your 20s, 30s, and 40s, the prostate remains much the same
size, but when you hit the big five-zero it starts growing. By age 85 just about
every mail has some prostate growth.
This growth is
generally known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Known traditionally as
"old man's disease" because so many elderly men develop it, various
reports state that 50 percent to 60 percent of men over 50 years of age have
some indication of BPH. Common symptoms include:
- An urgent feeling
that you need to urinate;
- An increased
frequency of urination, waking multiple times during the night to urinate;
- some difficulty
when beginning to urinate;
- A urine stream
that is weak and thin;
- Difficulty
stopping urinating; often followed by dribbles; and
- A feeling that
your bladder has not completely emptied, urinary retention.
If left untreated,
BPH results in stagnant urinary residue, which can lead to infection and
blockage of the bladder outlet.
Not all men
experience symptoms. Only about half of all men will have noticeable symptoms,
and only half of those will experience enough discomfort to go to a doctor. The
symptoms often come and go.
Although researchers
do not know exactly why BPH develops, it appears to be related to age and
increased levels of 5-alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone. DHT binds to
the prostate, which results in continued prostate growth. This can eventually
cause the overproduction (hyperplasia) of prostate cells, which causes the
prostate gland to enlarge more than it should.
Helping Out
For BPH, you can help
yourself:
Drink Water -
Although the natural reaction to frequent and urgent urination is to cut back on
fluid intake, this is a mistake. You risk dehydration and the likelihood of
developing a bladder infection increases because your urine becomes stronger.
Drinking lots of fluid keeps the retained urine in the bladder fairly diluted
and reduces the risk of bladder infection and dehydration.
Dietary Changes -
Caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods and/or acidic foods may irritate the prostate,
and most doctors recommend either eliminating them or consuming very little of
them. Diets with an emphasis on soy are helpful, as this helps eliminate DHT.
Sunflower and pumpkin seeds may also be helpful. Cut back on beer, as this
stimulates hormones that may contribute to prostate growth.
Watch your Weight -
At least one study (American Journal of Epidemiology; Dec. 1994) has shown that
men with larger than a 43-inch (109 cm) waist are more than twice as likely to
have enlarged prostates. It pays, then, to eat right and exercise so that your
gut doesn't hang over your belt.
Avoid Decongestants
and Antihistamines - Sudafed, Tavist-D, Contact, etc., all carry warnings in
fine print not to use them if you have an enlarged prostate or BPH. These
medications appear to cause the prostate to contract, which decreases urine
flow. There is also some evidence that these tend to make the prostatic
secretion thicker and more prone to forming clogs.
Stay in Love -
Making love can also help forestall prostate problems.
Exercise - Walking
will often help relieve prostate symptoms.
Use Supplements -
Dietary supplements can help general prostate health. Make sure you get
sufficient amounts of zinc and B vitamins. These nutrients regulate the enzyme
that converts testosterone to DHT. Essential fatty acids may be helpful, as
these influence hormones that control inflammation.
There have been a
number of animal and clinical trials on the use of pollen extract for BHP,
nonbacterial prostatitis, and prostadynia. Herbs used to maintain prostate
health include saw palmetto and pygeum africanum.
The
American Urological Assoc. BPH Symptom Index
Circle the
number in the appropriate column:
| Over
the past month or so... |
Never |
Less
than 1 time in 5 |
Less
than half the time |
About
half the time |
More
than half the time |
Almost
always |
| 1.
How often have you had a sensation of not emptying the bladder
completely after you finished urinating? |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| 2.
How often have you had to urinate again less than two hours after you
finished urinating? |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| 3.
How often have you found you stopped and started again several times
when you urinated? |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| 4.
How often have you found it difficult to postpone urination? |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| 5.
How often have you had a weak urinary stream? |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| 6.
How often have you had to push or strain to begin urination? |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
| 7.
How many times did you most typically get up to urinate from the time
you went to bed at night until the time you got up in the morning? |
0 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
Total all circled
numbers. 1 - 7: mild; 8-19: moderate; 20-35: severe. Generally, no treatment is
needed for mild symptoms. For moderate and severe symptoms, consult a health
practitioner.
Other Prostate
Disorders
Prostatitisis the
general term for inflammation of the prostate gland. As with BPH, the inflamed
prostate pinches the urethra, resulting in many of the same symptoms: frequent
and urgent urination, increased nighttime urinating, and a stop-and-start urine
stream. Other symptoms include pain between the rectum and the back of the
scrotum, in the lower back, above the pubic bone, in the lower abdominals, or in
and around the groin and testicles. Prostatitis can also result in dysuria,
which is painful or difficult urination. Prostatitis can be caused by bacteria -
then known as bacterial prostatitis - or have no known cause, which is known as
nonbacterial prostatitis.
Prostatodynia occurs
if there are prostatitis-like symptoms that appear to originate in the prostate
(but probably do not) and no evidence of inflammation or bacteria. This really
has nothing to do with the prostate. Pain appears to originate in the prostate,
but might actually be coming from the pelvic area, genitals, or rectum. The
prostate is generally normal or slightly tender, and you may have tension
headaches.
The article
"Dribbling into Middle Age" is reproduced with the permission of AIM
International
© 1998 by AIM International. Partner's Magazine, Aug. '98
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Dribbling into Middle Age
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