A Pharmacist and Health Influencer, Pharm. Okechukwu Oluoma, has noted that not all men will have prostate enlargement.
The expert, in a post on her X timeline, noted that 50% of men aged 60 would have symptoms of prostate enlargement.
She wrote, “Benign prostatic hyperplasia is simply an enlargement of the prostate gland.
“The prostate is responsible for producing seminal fluid to enrich the semen.
“It naturally grows larger as men age, and as it does, compresses the urethra and makes passage of urine difficult.”
The Pharmacist listed signs that might indicate the presence of an enlarged prostate.
What are the signs?
– Trouble starting to urinate
– Weak urine flow
– Urinary incontinence or leakage
– Needing to urinate often, esp at night
– Sudden urge to urinate
– Incomplete bladder emptying
– Pain after ejaculating
– Smelly or cloudy urine.
What causes it to grow bigger?
The exact cause is not known, however it can be due to;
– Hormonal changes
– Metabolic syndrome (High blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and triglycerides)
– Too much insulin in the blood.
Will all men experience this?
Not all men would have an enlarged prostate gland.
However, statistics show that 50% of men aged 60 would have symptoms and by age 85, the number goes up to 90%.
What are the complications of an enlarged prostate?
Without treatment, your symptoms may worsen and can lead to;
– Recurrent urinary tract infection
– Blood in your pee
– Bladder stones
– Kidney damage
It is an extremely uncomfortable condition.
What can be done?
– Watchful waiting
– Use of medications
– Surgery
“Watchful waiting is the process of just observing the symptoms and doing annual checkups.
“It is recommended if your symptoms are mild or if treatment won’t improve your quality of life,” she typed.
– Use of medications
The expert said, “Some medications slow the growth of the prostate gland, while others relax the muscles and relieve tension.
“Medications are helpful, however they come with some side effects.
“Make sure to get all required information from a doctor before starting any.”
– Surgery
Surgery is carried out when medications don’t work.
It is done due to severity of the condition and if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Can BPH be prevented?
Not entirely as it is a natural process.
However, the risk of developing it can be reduced.
Exercise daily for at-least 30 minutes
– Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and Omega 3
– Limit alcohol intake and caffeine
– Maintain a healthy weight
– Manage blood pressure and sugar strictly
– Avoid drinking water or fluids at night or bedtime.
Foods that support prostate health;
– Tomatoes 🍅
– Salmon and fatty fish 🐠
– Berries 🍓
– Nuts 🌰
– Green tea 🍵
– Vegetables 🥦.
Can you live a healthy life regardless?
Sure, you can.
It’s important to identify symptoms on time and take steps to reduce progression.
When you notice problems with passing out urine, it’s time for a health check up.
Good to know;
– Starting preventive measures on time reduces the risk of enlargement
– For a better quality of life, you need to avoid belly fat, and a sedentary lifestyle
Prostate enlargement doesn’t have a cure, however treatment can alleviate symptoms.
A prostate cancer research, awareness and support organisation in England and Wales, and Scotland, Prostate Cancer UK, on its website wrote that about 1 in 3 men over the age of 50 have urinary symptoms.
“The most common cause of these symptoms is an enlarged prostate,” it wrote.
