Have trouble peeing?

December 14, 2018

Healthcaretoday, Elon Musk, leadership, Modern masculinity, work life integration, emotional intelligence, Corporate culture, Great Man Theory, Trait Theory, Leadership evolution, Men in leadership, Workplace wellness, Transformational leadership, Career growth, inclusive workplace,

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as prostate gland enlargement, is a common condition in men over 50.

Healthcaretoday, Benign prostatic hyperplasia, enlarged prostate, dribbling urine, burning sensation while urinating, difficulty holding urine,

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as prostate gland enlargement, is a common condition in men over 50. Although it is non-cancerous, an enlarged prostate gland can reduce urine flow and may also prolong the initiation of a urine stream.

“When we look at the anatomy of the prostate, it is basically a small gland the size of a walnut, located below the bladder where urine passes through. The prostate produces alkaline fluids."

Common perception is that whenever a man ejaculates, the entire fluid is sperm. In fact, only 60 to 80 percent of the fluid is seminal fluid, while the remaining 20 percent is sperm. Within the seminal fluid, there is alkaline fluid produced by the prostate, which neutralizes the acidic environment inside the vagina, allowing the sperm to penetrate and move along.

"It acts as a conduit for the semen to pass. An analogy is an apple: we have the skin and the fleshy white part. Imagine drilling a hole through the apple, with urine passing through it. The fleshy white part where BPH occurs enlarges and narrows the channel through which urine flows," explained Dr SA Balan, Consultant Urologist at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

What are the symptoms of BPH?

Taking a longer time to urinate
Straining to initiate urination
Needing to take a deep breath before starting
A sensation that the bladder hasn’t been fully emptied
An urge to visit the restroom every few minutes, especially at night, resulting in interrupted sleep
Burning sensation and discomfort
Dribbling urine, leading to stained undergarments
Difficulty in holding urine

Patients who report prostate issues and a reduction in flow are often concerned about cancer. However, Dr Balan pointed out that cancer does not originate from the white fleshy part, but from the peripheral zone of the prostate.

Treatments
Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is considered the gold standard and is one of the most effective options for treating urinary symptoms caused by BPH. During TURP, a combined visual and surgical instrument is inserted through the tip of the penis into the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder. Using a resectoscope, excess prostate tissue that is blocking urine flow is trimmed away, increasing the size of the channel and allowing for better bladder emptying.

Other surgical treatments available include open surgery (prostatectomy), TUVP (laser procedures), and prostatic stents.