Prostate hyperplasia has long been a challenging male condition to cure, commonly affecting the elderly. Dr. Na Yanqun, Chief Physician of Urology at Peking University People's Hospital, noted that many middle-aged and elderly men are diagnosed with prostate hyperplasia after turning 50 or 60, with an incidence rate reaching 50%. By age 70, the prevalence rises to 73%. So what are the symptoms of prostate hyperplasia?
What are the symptoms of BPH?
1. Frequent urination and urgency
The most common early symptom is frequent urination, which gradually worsens, especially with increased nighttime urination. This is initially caused by bladder neck congestion leading to overactive bladder detrusor reflexes. Later stages involve urethral obstruction from the enlarged prostate, resulting in increased residual urine and reduced effective bladder capacity.
2. Difficulty urinating
Frequent and urgent urination is often accompanied by difficulty urinating. This manifests as slow initiation of urination, straining to pass urine, weak urine stream, thin urine stream, dribbling urine, interrupted urination, and incomplete emptying of the bladder.
3. Acute Urinary Retention
Acute urinary retention may occur when factors like exposure to cold, alcohol consumption, or fatigue trigger congestion and edema in the prostate and bladder neck, exacerbating existing voiding difficulties. Patients experience extreme bladder distension, pain, frequent urge to urinate, and difficulty sleeping at night.
4. Hematuria
Hematuria indicates a severe condition. Dilated and congested veins on the surface of enlarged prostate tissue may rupture, causing blood in the urine. Bleeding is often intermittent and variable in volume, though occasional massive hemorrhage can fill the bladder with clots, requiring urgent intervention.
How to Prevent Prostate Hyperplasia?
1. Regular Checkups for Early Detection
Xuan Xujun, Chief Physician of the Male Health Department at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, states that while BPH cannot be entirely prevented, proactive measures can reduce its occurrence. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, stabilizing endocrine function, and undergoing regular ultrasounds and PSA tests aid in preventing and detecting BPH early.
2. Increase zinc intake
Prostate patients with low zinc levels have weakened defenses, making them prone to inflammation or recurrent infections after treatment.
3. Maintain Genital Hygiene
The scrotum is highly elastic and produces significant sweat. Combined with poor ventilation in the genital area, this creates an environment prone to harboring dirt and bacteria. Local bacteria can easily take advantage of this, potentially leading to prostatitis, prostate enlargement, and diminished sexual function.