How men can live well with BPH

How men can live well with BPH

As men grow older, a common “plumbing” problem they may develop is a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.  In fact, by the time they celebrate their 60th birthday, about half of all men will have some signs of BPH. Some may believe it to be prostate cancer but it is not.  The main difference between BPH and prostate cancer is that even though the prostate gland is enlarged in both, in BPH it is a benign or noncancerous condition.  When this happens, it puts pressure on the urethra resulting in the following symptoms:

·      An urgent need to urinate

·      Having the need to urinate many times during the day and night

·      Hesitancy or troubling starting a urine flow

·      Weak or dribbling urine stream

The enlargement of the prostate gland is a normal part of aging but that does not mean a man has to suffer needlessly from the annoyance and inconvenience BPH can sometimes cause.  There are steps a man can take to reduce symptoms of BPH and still lead an active and meaningful life.

However, since the symptoms of BPH occur gradually, men often change their daily routine to accommodate their symptoms instead of finding ways to live their life without interruptions.  Here are some suggestions for men on ways to help minimize the impact BPH on their life:

·      Reduce stress - Being tensed up or nervous can cause a man to urinate more frequently.  Regular exercise, practicing yoga or meditation can relive stress that may help reduce the urge to urinate.

·      Empty the bladder completely - Each time a man urinates, he needs to empty the bladder completely to reduce the need for several trips to the bathroom.  BPH makes a man feel like he needs to urinate frequently so taking the opportunity to use the restroom about every three hours even if he doesn’t feel like he needs to.  Always urinate before leaving the house and before going to bed.  Doubling voiding is another strategy – when it feels like you’re done urinating, wait a few seconds and try again.

·      Review medications affecting BPH - Sometimes certain prescription or over-the-counter medications may be contributing to the problem.  Decongestant medications, like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), and antihistamines, like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), can interfere with urination.  Some prescription medications can also aggravate BPH.  Diuretics used for high blood pressure can increase urinary frequency and some antidepressants can decrease urine flow.   A doctor should review all medication checking to see if they can adjust dosages, change the schedule of when medications are taken or prescribe different medication that cause fewer urinary issues.

·      Drink less fluids before bedtime - Avoid drinking fluids at least 3 hours before bedtime.  Beverages containing caffeine or alcohol are diuretics which stimulate the kidneys to make urine increasing the likelihood of nighttime urination and they can also affect muscle tone of the bladder. 

·      Practice Kegel exercises - As annoying as urinary frequency is, other symptoms of BPH that are troubling include dribbling, leaking, and feeling a sense of urgency.  One way to control these symptoms is by strengthening the muscles around the bladder neck with Kegel exercises.  Kegels can be done by contracting the muscles that are used to keep from urinating and squeeze tightly for 10 seconds.  Then relax the muscles and repeat about 10 times.  Doing these exercises three to five times a day may improve bladder control.

·      Choose healthy foods - To keep the prostate healthy, this must include choosing healthy foods.  Good foods to include should be plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and nuts and seeds.  Another important food substance to be consuming is omega-3 fatty acids found in cold water fish such as tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel, halibut, and sardines. 

·      Avoid sitting too long – Men with a sedentary job (e.g. driving and office jobs) or sit for long periods of time should get up and move around more.  Sitting too long in the same position can actually worsen the condition. Take plenty of short breaks to stretch legs and to get circulation flowing.

·      See a urologist for help with BPH – Any man experiencing symptoms of BPH should always consult with a urologist to get a definitive diagnosis and method of treatment for his condition.  If BPH symptoms are becoming too hard to manage, it’s time to call the doctor.  Waiting too long may increase the need for more invasive measures such as surgery.   BPH does not cause prostate cancer but the symptoms are similar which is another reason to seek the advice of a urologist.