The disease that causes men to have difficulty urinating

Difficulty urinating, slow urine flow, difficulty emptying the bladder... are signs that men have an enlarged prostate.

Some men report feeling like their bladder is full, even about to burst, but they have difficulty urinating, urinating little or often. No matter how hard they try, they cannot empty their bladder. Urologists say these symptoms indicate a blockage in the urinary tract due to an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and is located below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out. It is also located just in front of the rectum and is responsible for producing the thin, milky fluid that is essential for the normal functioning of sperm cells and male fertility. It also helps push semen out during ejaculation.

According to the American Urology Association, the prostate continues to grow throughout a man's life and can grow to the size of an orange. But there is a limit to that growth because when it gets too large, it can lead to hypertrophy, which can cause men to experience conditions such as straining when urinating, slow urine flow, frequent waking at night to urinate, and the inability to empty the bladder.

[Caption]. Photo: Freepik — Prostate enlargement often occurs in people over 50 years old. Photo: *Freepik*

Dr Thiruchelvam Jegathesan, a consultant urologist at a hospital in Singapore, said patients with high levels of obstruction are more likely to develop urinary tract infections and bladder stones. "The exact cause of BPH is unknown but is thought to be related to age and male hormones. These factors cause an increase in prostate cells. Typically, BPH occurs after the age of 50 and becomes more common with age," he said.

A study conducted in Singapore supports the association between age and prostate enlargement that Dr. Jegathesan mentioned. As the population ages, the proportion of patients with moderate to severe BPH symptoms increases, from 10% in 1997 to 14% in 2005 and 16.5% in 2012.

Dr Fiona Wu, consultant urologist, believes that increased awareness of BPH has also led to higher rates of the condition being reported over the years. “Many men are now seeking advice from urologists earlier in life because they have seen their fathers and grandfathers struggle with the symptoms of BPH,” she says.

Because prostate enlargement is the root of the problem, treatment usually focuses on removing or shrinking the prostate, or widening the sphincter to allow better urine flow, says Dr. Wu. However, prostate enlargement and associated urinary problems can recur after treatment. “A urologist will use different methods to treat recurrent BPH depending on the patient’s condition, age, and physical condition,” he says.

Some treatments include:

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): For patients with acute or chronic urinary retention, recurrent urinary tract infections, bladder stones, renal failure; large bladder diverticula or failed medical treatment.

Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) : TUIP is often performed as an additional procedure for patients undergoing TURP. This method is for men with prostates smaller than 30g as well as high or narrow bladder necks.

Laser ablation: Laser therapy causes less bleeding, making it suitable for patients taking antiplatelet drugs (platelet aggregation inhibitors) or blood thinners to reduce the risk of stroke or heart attack.

Prostatic urethral lift (PUL): This new treatment does not remove any tissue but uses small, stainless steel clips, permanently placed in the body, to lift or hold the prostate tissue, making it easier for urine to flow through the urethra. PUL is for men with prostates between 30g and 80g and is also suitable for men who want to maintain erectile and ejaculatory function.

Medication: Depending on the size of the prostate, age, health and the level of discomfort caused by the symptoms, the patient will be prescribed appropriate medication. However, this method usually takes longer and does not achieve immediate results like the procedures mentioned above. The use of medication can also cause side effects such as: low blood pressure, erectile dysfunction and decreased sexual desire. However, the size of the prostate is only reduced by 18 - 28%.

Prostate enlargement affects not only men's health but also their daily activities. Therefore, when experiencing the above symptoms, men should see a medical specialist for timely examination and treatment.

Hai My ( According to CNA Lifestyle )

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