April 22nd, 2020 was the 50th annual Earth Day. Some men out there in the world may have also turned 50 yesterday or earlier this year. Some men aren't excited about turning 50. One reason is that they're spending their 50th birthday in social isolation to protect themselves form the pandemic. Another reason for men turning 50 means they may start to experience the growth of their prostate. This condition is known medically as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
BPH is a condition where the prostate is large (not due to cancer), and lower urinary tract symptoms like frequent urination, slow urinary flow, trouble starting and stopping urination, sensation of urine remaining in the bladder after emptying, and dribbling; sexual dysfunction may also occur.
The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970, and if our math is right, today's 50 year olds were born in the 60s and 70s. The older a man gets, the more likely it will be that he gets diagnosed with BPH by a doctor in his lifetime. About 50% of men aged 40-50 have BPH, while about 90% of men aged 80-90 have this condition.
The problem with the prostate growing large due to age is its location in the body, situated under the bladder and surrounding the urethra. Throughout a man's life, the prostate gland helps produce seminal fluid which supports sexual function. However, as it grows larger, it can push against the bladder and squeeze the urethra narrow, impacting urinary function. Left untreated, it can lead to bladder and kidney problems, as well as the complete blocking of the urethra and inability to urinate (a medical emergency).
Just as we shouldn't ignore the problems of Earth's climate, we shouldn't ignore the problem of men's prostates. Raising awareness of both issues is important. What commitment can you make to helping the Earth and helping men with BPH?
To read more about prostate enlargement, visit sunjourhc.blogspot.com!
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