Goodbye May, Hello June for Men's Health Month!

The month of May is coming to a close, and the community of men's health and benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement) is going to have a chance to shine in the month of June. Did you have a better night's sleep in May, which is Better Sleep Month? Did you take the time to appreciate the contributions of the Asian Pacific Islander community in May, which is Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month? 

June is the month of raising awareness for physical, emotional and mental health issues that affect the men's health community. It is also pride month for celebrating the LGBT community. Whether you identify as a gay man, straight man, or a person with male sexual organs, it is important to address prostate enlargement so that more people learn about this common condition and more men can find a solution to regain their quality of life. 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is when the prostate gland enlarges. As it pushes against the bladder and squeezes the urethra into a more narrow state, this can cause difficulty with urinary symptoms in men. This includes frequent urination, urges, getting up many times a night to go to the bathroom, slow urinary flow, difficulty in stopping and starting, incontinence, and the sensation of remaining urine in the bladder. 

As we approach the end of spring and get closer to the summer months, we hope that you are staying safe during the pandemic. Have a wonderful weekend and we look forward to encouraging more conversation around men's health!     

BPH and TCM: A Natural Remedy in Prostate Enlargement

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the use and practice of plants, herbs and natural ingredients to help treat ailments and reduce symptoms, all with the goal of improving health. People who are open to natural treatments may believe that there is less risk associated and less side effects. There may also be a motivation of reduced cost when considering natural treatments. Whatever the reason may be, even before the dawn of modern medicine, herbs were used by people around the world. 

We think that TCM, if studied and given more credibility, then men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), especially during the mild stages, may find good health support. BPH is another term for enlarged prostate, and it is usually associated with frequent urination, getting up many times at night for the bathroom, struggle to start and stop urinating, dribbling, sensation of urine remaining after emptying, and sexual dysfunction. In more extreme cases, kidney damage, stones, and complete inability to urinate (complete blockage of the urethra) may occur. 

The skepticism with traditional Chinese medicine stems from a number of reasons, such as lack of evidence, inconsistent formulas among different brands, lack of clinical testing, low quality control, etc. This does not apply to all companies who are in the nutraceutical/supplement business, but when some rotten apples cut corners, it gives a negative image on the industry as a whole. 

Word of mouth and established trust may motivate people to give TCM a try. Just as UMOOZE performed well in a clinical trial for BPH, we hope that more attention can be paid to ingredients like astragalus and soy to see if more men can benefit from the health properties in service to managing BPH symptoms and improving quality of life. Let's find more ways to safely consider TCM in the healthy lifestyles of men with BPH!    

You Want to Find Relief From BPH Naturally?

Although the advancement of medicine has supported us in many ways, there has always been a concern for side effects associated with certain treatments and medications. The same goes for men who have a condition called BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), which is where the prostate is enlarged and may cause interference with urinary function (frequent urination, slow urinary flow, dribbling, sensation of remaining urine, etc.). Some medications prescribed for BPH may be associated with side effects such as dizziness, sexual dysfunction, decreased libido, and nausea. Some surgical procedures may also carry risks in urinary and sexual function. This isn't to say that medication and surgery should not be considered, especially because some forms of severe BPH may call for these treatments, and if the doctor and patient can weigh the benefits and risks, they can think of the most appropriate course of action depending on the patient's situation. 

For men with mild BPH or BPH that is just starting to occur, men may think of natural treatments to help minimize the symptoms. Natural ingredients also need to be reviewed carefully to ensure the patient is not allergic, or that the natural ingredients do not clash with current medications the patient may be taking. A safe, plant based treatment that is clinically proven to be effective may encourage more studies and more men to give it a try. For an example of natural BPH treatments out there, UMOOZE, which uses astragalus and soy, has had a study which can be reviewed on clinicaltrials.gov. 

If we can raise awareness of BPH, we can look into more solutions, especially for men who may not be able to take medications or undergo surgery for specific health related reasons. Providing more solutions for a condition that most men may deal with later in life is important. More men are living longer and having to experience urinary discomfort and reduced quality of life. Let's support men with BPH and young men who may have BPH in the future! It is possible to marry the idea of effective natural treatment with a better quality of life!   

Honoring the Memory of Fallen Veterans and Caring for Veterans Living with BPH

Monday the 25th was Memorial Day in the United States, a day to remember the fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives for their country. The solemn day of remembrance was not halted by the global pandemic, and many families and comrades of the fallen were able to pay their respects. Even for the veterans who are still with us to share their experiences, this day to remember their fallen brothers is just as important. To the veterans with us today, we thank you for your service to the land of the free. 

One of the things that came to mind with the veteran community is that many of the veterans are male. A graph in 2018 about the gender demographics of veterans shows there were approximately 1.6 female veterans compared to a whopping 16.3 million male veterans. In terms of age demographics, there are also more large groups of veterans in their 30-40s, 50-60s and 70s and up. With a large population of older male veterans, urologists have offered support to veterans struggling with severe BPH in the form of new procedures. For those who don't know, BPH is benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition that men may experience in older age when the prostate gland grows in size. This may interfere with urinary and sexual function in men. 

Examples of symptoms include frequent urination (especially at night), slow urinary flow, trouble with starting or stopping urinary flow, sensation of remaining urine, straining, dribbling, etc. 

One of the reasons why BPH awareness is important is, we need to make sure we can take care of men in and out of our lives who are likely to face this condition as they get older. This goes for our heroic veterans as well. This last week of May as the month comes to a close, June (Men's Health Month) is just around the corner. We need to increase and continue the support for men's health so that men with BPH can find safer solutions and support from their peers. 

30 Million Men and 30 Million Large Prostates

According to Medscape, in 2019 approximately 30 million men globally had BPH. That's about the population of Texas, USA. Although the world population is over 7.5 billion, 30 million men is not a small number. Big or small, the fact of the matter is that men are likely to develop BPH as they age. In case you're wondering, BPH is benign prostatic hyperplasia. It's the medical term for an enlarged prostate. When the prostate grows larger, it may inhibit urinary flow and increase urinary urges. BPH can interfere with sleeping habits, daily activities and even sexual activity with a partner.

Why should the world care about BPH? There are at least 30 million reasons. Better sleep, better sexual life, and overall better quality of life are what men with BPH are striving for. 

Frequent urination (dysuria), frequent urination at night (nocturia), slow urinary flow, incontinence, urges and hesitancy, sensation of remaining urine, kidney and bladder issues, and more may occur when a man develops BPH. 

Ignoring BPH is not the answer. You'll be looking for the nearest bathroom, losing out on a good night's rest, having issues in the bedroom, and feel uncomfortable when you try to relieve yourself. This is not a good way to live. It also shouldn't take the worsening of symptoms to push yourself to manage your BPH. If you can manage your prostate health, you can feel relief and a sense of freedom!     

Do you know about BPH? If you have it, what are you doing to manage your BPH? 

Your Large Prostate is Disrupting Your Sleep

Did you know that May is Better Sleep Month? Did you know that some men with BPH (prostate enlargement) have to get up many times a night to go to the bathroom, and therefore are losing out on a good night's sleep? That's why if you have BPH, it's important for you to think about how to get a better night's sleep, and what better month to think about that than now? The goal of BPH treatment is to help manage and reduce symptoms that disrupt your day to day life. You may also know frequent urination as nocturia. So how can you combat nocturia associated with BPH?

If you're getting up many times a night and experiencing nocturia, make sure you've talked to your doctor to know if it's BPH. There are a few urinary and prostatic conditions that display similar symptoms, so it's important to know if what you have is BPH. 

You should drink more fluids during the day and less at night. Drinking fluids regularly will help you make the urine less thick in the bladder and help reduce irritation. However, you should avoid or reduce irritants to the bladder like caffeine, spices, and alcohol.

Here are some additional tips from Dr. Tan:
You should try to...
- Elevate your legs before going to sleep so that fluids don't accumulate in the lower body and increase urinary urges. 

- Go to the bathroom just before you go to sleep so you can sleep with an empty bladder and reduce the trips early on in your sleep cycle. 

If you'd like tips for getting back to sleep when getting up in the middle of the night for a bathroom trip, you can try these tips:
- If you have trouble getting back to sleep after getting up, try a white noise machine or ambient music to help lull you to sleep.
- Install a dim light in your toilet bowl or use a dim light setting to reduce the sensation of being awake from bright lights. 
- Keep a bed pan or pee bottle near your bed so you can relieve yourself and get back to sleep sooner.

- Ensure your mattress is still in good quality in terms of your preferred firmness or softness to help you fall asleep.   

You know that sleep is important to maintain your immune system and get through the day with less stress and more energy. Don't let BPH get in the way of your sleep or your quality of life!

Lower Incidence Rate of Prostate Enlargement (BPH) in Asian Men

The month of may is Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This is a time to celebrate the achievements of the Asian community as well as promote more inclusivity and diversity that openly welcomes the participation of people with Asian descent in the workplace, in our media, in our healthcare, and more. The experiences, insight, and work contributed by the Asian community has strengthened and expanded the multicultural fabric of many countries around the world. One area we want to explore in particular is the reception of traditional Chinese medicine. Many people have sought natural alternatives or complementary solutions to the management of health ailments. In Asia, herbal remedies and plant based therapies have been well received for generations to help with a variety of conditions. This includes a condition we passionately write about in our blogs, BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This is a condition that commonly occurs in older men where the prostate gland increases in size, which may create issues within the urinary tract, including frequent urination, slow or poor urinary flow, sensation of residual urine, urges, trouble starting and stopping urination, pushing or forcing urine, etc. 

It also just so happens that Asian men have been found to have a lower incidence rate of BPH. Some have suggested diet has a role because of soy, which is somewhat of a staple in Asian cuisine, as well as a balanced diet more inclusive of plant based nutrition. It could be that the prostate is growing at a slower rate in Asian men, or that they feel the symptoms less intensely due to an effective lifestyle management. Herbs such as astragalus, which support immune function, may also help. This was found in a clinical trial for the plant based supplement UMOOZE with astragalus and soy extracts in a study for men with BPH.  

All in all, if you have been interested in exploring natural solutions to mild BPH that can be safely implemented alongside a healthy lifestyle you may look to the Asian men's health community for potential support! 

So Your Large Prostate Embarrasses You

It's no wonder that you almost never hear men talk about it. Well, another reason could be that not many men know their condition is called BPH. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition in which the prostate gland grows in size and may interfere with urinary function (frequent urination, urges, poor flow, slow flow, sensation of remaining urine, etc). 

And let's be for real, when was the last time you talked about your prostate to your friends and family? Maybe the power of online communities makes it easier to ask questions about your prostate, be it in your search browser or a forum. This is why everyone should learn about BPH, no matter if you're a young high school boy or a woman in their mid 30s, and everything under the sun. 

Maybe you're reluctant to talk about the prostate because many public conversations about the prostate involve jokes about awkward encounters with your doctor's gloved finger or comparing a senator's prostate to the size of watermelon (yes, Jimmy Kimmel joked that Mitch McConnell's prostate must have been the size of a watermelon due to his frequent request for dinner breaks during a senate hearing). These sorts of comments may discourage men from being more open to talk about their prostate at the risk of being made fun of. However, we want you to know that even if such comments were to come your way, real friends and family will realize that your health is important and they will support you in your BPH management journey. 

The more we know about BPH and how it can interfere with a man's life, the more we can make strides in our community to support BPH patients. There are many physiological conditions that may be embarrassing to bring up, so talking to your doctor, trusted circles and support groups on and offline may help. Remember to search and share information responsibly if you are looking things up online. 

This Better Sleep Month, let's get a good night's rest by managing our BPH!
This Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, let's take the examples and contributions by the Asian community to learn more about how we may be able to manage BPH naturally! 

How Do You Get a Good Night's Rest When You Have BPH?

May is Better Sleep Month, as well as Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We appreciate the contributions of the Asian community around the world, and we also want to encourage better sleep. This goes especially for the men around the world struggling with BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), also known as prostate enlargement. 

As a man gets older, his prostate gland grows in size. Due to the fact that it's situated under the bladder and surrounding the urethra, an enlarged prostate may cause men to experience frequent urination, especially at night. Getting up to go to the bathroom many times a night can disrupt a good night's rest. We want men to know it's important to address their BPH and consider their options when it comes to symptom management. We also want the public, regardless if you're not a man or a man with BPH, to know that this condition exists. The first step to solving a problem is acknowledging that the problem exists in the first place. 

Although frequent urination at night could be dealt with by keeping a bed pan under the bed so you could potentially fall asleep faster, if men don't take action with their overall health, BPH could interfere with quality of life. 

For men with BPH to get a good night's rest, drinking healthy fluids like water during the day and less fluids at night is a start. It may sound counter-intuitive to drink fluids regularly if you're experiencing frequent urination, but not drinking fluids at all could cause dehydration, and it can also make the urine in your bladder thicker, causing irritation and difficulty in passing. 

Mild BPH can be managed with watchful waiting if recommended by your doctor, and in that watchful waiting period you may make lifestyle adjustments such as reducing diuretics (tea and coffee) which make your bladder more active, reducing bladder irritants such as spicy foods, reducing excess body fat through physical activity and a nutritious and portion balanced meal plan, and warm baths to increase blood circulation to the prostate.  

We hope that this month, you can achieve better sleep from managing your BPH! Asian men have a low incidence rate of prostate problems like BPH, and it has been suggested that this may be to the inclusion of more plant based nutrition in their diet, including soy. We could learn from the example of the Asian community in how to consider plant based treatments (TCM, traditional Chinese medicine) and adding soy to our meals, which is high in protein but low in fat. 

Let's give it up for better sleep and the Asian community! 

We've Reached the Halfway Point of May for Men With BPH

Can you believe that we're already halfway through May? Unfortunately the global pandemic is still at large, so people are trying their best to follow safety protocols set by their local authorities. Among the community, there are those already living with other health conditions. We at SunJour have constantly focused on a specific health condition known as BPH, the medical term for prostate enlargement (it stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia). This condition in older men, which may begin to manifest around the age range of your 40s and becomes increasingly more likely to occur with older age and may be accompanied by symptoms such as frequent urinary urges and trips to the bathroom (especially at night), struggle to start and stop urinating, slow urinary flow, and sexual dysfunction. 

The secondary effects of having such symptoms could mean sleepless nights, dissatisfaction in your sexual life, and frustration and discomfort over being bound to the nearest bathroom. Men may even develop depression if they feel their quality of life has been significantly compromised. As doctor's offices across the country begin to gradually open back up, and as telemedicine takes the forefront to keep patients safe, there are more options available for older men to get the support that they need. For men with mild symptoms, safe, plant based treatments may also be an option. 

May is better sleep month and Asian Pacific Islander heritage month. What does this have to do with BPH? Well, the goal of men with BPH is to be able to get a better night's sleep! And, Asian men have lower incidence rates of BPH and other prostate health issues, possibly due to their healthy diet that is more inclusive of plants such as soy. We can learn more and take cues from the Asian community to live a healthier life and regain a good night's rest in benefit of men with BPH. Remember that traditional Chinese medicine is widely used worldwide, and it is possible that men with mild BPH could see some benefits, too. For the skeptics, it may also be beneficial for more clinical studies to occur.  

Let's continue to support our community to be safe from the pandemic, and also men with BPH so there can be better strides in men's health in the second half of May, too!       

Soy in Asian Diet = Less BPH?

Men may start to experience BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) as early as their 40s, and the older they get, the more likely it is to manifest (about 90% of men in their 80s and 90s). Not only is aging a risk factor to BPH, but also poor nutrition (over-consumption of red meat and foods high in fat), little to no physical activity, family/genetic history, and higher levels of DHT, which may be better known as a risk factor in balding. BPH is the medical term for prostate enlargement, where men may experience frequent urination especially at night, slow urinary flow when relieving oneself, sexual dysfunction, etc. 

However, it is found that Asian men have lower incidence rates of BPH compared to western men. According to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, one proposed reason that Asian men have lower incidences of BPH and prostate health issues overall could be due to the consumption of soy and plant based foods in their nutritional diet. Soy contains isoflavones like genistein and daidzein (fun fact, the Japanese word for soy is daizu, which kind of looks like daidzein). These isoflavones could have a positive effect by reducing the processes that accelerate prostate cell proliferation (an increase in prostate cells). This could reduce the risk of cell division errors that lead to other prostate conditions.  

What we all want to know is whether soy could in fact help reduce BPH. Currently in Clinicaltrials.gov, the only study with positive results for the use of soy in helping BPH patients is for UMOOZE. There is also a study on pumpkin seeds, soy germ and cranberry mix for the support of BPH symptoms, but the results were not published. If UMOOZE could help men with BPH, then we should encourage the continued study of soy in men's diets for reducing the incidence rate of BPH. 

Let's continue to spread awareness and encourage more research on BPH! 

You've Got BPH (Prostate Enlargement)- What Happens Next?

May is Better Sleep Month and Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. It is also a month where men get BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), the medical term for prostate enlargement. It's not that men get this problem in May, because they can get BPH at any time of the year, but perhaps now is the time for you to consider addressing your BPH if you haven't already. 

So what does it mean when your urologist tells you that you have BPH? Well, it could mean that you've been dealing with (or you may eventually deal with) frequent urination, especially at night. You may have also noticed when you go to the urinal that it's taking you longer to push out urine or to empty the bladder. You may even find that you don't feel as if you've emptied your bladder completely. These uncomfortable sensations going on with your urinary habits are medically referred to as LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) and they are commonly associated with BPH. However, because these symptoms also occur in other urinary and prostatic conditions, it is important not to self diagnose but rather go to your doctor. The older a man gets, the more likely he will experience BPH to a point that it interferes with urinary health. 

Getting a better night's sleep and looking into the low incidence rate of BPH in Asian men could be the key to helping men around the world with their BPH. What happens next is you get informed about BPH, raise awareness in yourself and other, and consider what lifestyle adjustments may need to occur so you can reduce the interruptions and interference of symptoms in your every day life. Better BPH management could mean no more getting up multiple times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Finding relief does not have to be a pipe dream if you can work on a healthier nutritious meal plan; more physical activity like walking, jogging and swimming; drinking more water during the day to make urine less thick and less at night for less trips; reducing bladder irritants like spicy foods and diuretics; the safe practice of pelvic floor exercises; plant based therapies, and so on. If you have BPH, the next thing that can happen is a restoration of your quality of life, but that is up to you! 

Do You Dream or Urinate Frequently?

Although it's too early to be dreaming of a white Christmas, you might be dreaming of the times where you weren't getting up many times a night to go to the bathroom because of your BPH. For those who don't know, BPH stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia. It's a common condition in men in their 40s and older where the prostate grows larger in size and may interfere with urinary function (frequent urination especially at night, struggle to start and stop urinating, slow and poor urinary flow, sensation of remaining urine after having just gone, etc.). So, you can imagine that frequent urination can get in the way of men having a good night's rest and a sleep full of hopefully nice dreams. 

Are you getting a good night's rest or is BPH getting in your way? Having a bed pan near your bed so that you can fall asleep faster after getting up could be one short term way to help, but ignoring your BPH or leaving it untreated could lead to worse problems down the line like kidney problems, sexual dysfunction and complete inability to urinate (which would constitute a medical emergency). It's important to see your doctor and consider your options based on the progression of BPH (mild, moderate, or severe). 

If you're in the mild stage of BPH and you're starting to see your nights interrupted, it'll be good to think about making positive lifestyle modifications such as eating healthy, getting some physical activity, reducing excess weight, voiding techniques, pelvic floor exercises, and even natural plant based treatments for low risk and safe support so long as the ingredients are safe for you as determined by specialists based on your allergies and other medications you may be taking. 

By taking a holistic approach to BPH, you can regain your quality of life! Remember to also check in with your mental health by gathering support from BPH communities, loved ones, and professional help. This Better Sleep Month and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, your BPH might no longer have to get in the way of a dreamy, good night's rest! 

Celebrating The Healthy Prostates of Asian Men in Asian Pacific Islander Month

May is not only Better Sleep Month, it is also Asian Pacific American Heritage Month which celebrates people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. We want to commend the Asian male population for their low BPH incidence rate! BPH or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a common condition in men around the world where the prostate gland grows in size and may interfere with urinary and sexual function (frequent urination, poor urinary flow, difficulty starting and stopping urination, dribble, sensation of remaining urine after voiding, urges, incontinence and sexual dysfunction). Why do Asian men have a lower incidence rate of BPH? It could be due to the higher presence of soy in their diet and overall healthier lifestyle. If we can take cues for the betterment of physical and nutrition health from Asian men, then men all over the world including the U.S., which had about 14 million BPH patients in 2017 according to the National Institute of Health, can see less men struggling with BPH and living a better quality of life. 

The hard work and achievements of Asian researchers, doctors, health advocates, traditional medicine specialists, and other valuable members of the community are appreciated and acknowledged this month. Let's show our support for the Asian community by introducing more diversity in the health space and considering why natural treatment options based on herbs and plants are well received in Asia. Let's encourage more studies and more efforts to provide the best quality ingredients for men's treatments of conditions like BPH. Let's raise the voices of Asians and give them a platform of inclusivity and positivity. Thank you for continuing to rise in your community for a better world! 

How Men with BPH Can Celebrate this Mother's Day

Mother's Day is coming up, and although prostate enlargement (BPH) is a man's health issue, BPH can affect moms, too! Show your mom that you appreciate the life she gave you, that you're gonna be proactive in your health, by caring for your BPH. Commit to healthy life styles that can help reduce BPH symptoms. If your wife is a mother, celebrate her by taking positive strides to better prostate health so that you can enjoy more wondrous years together. BPH is a common prostate condition in older men where the prostate grows in size, and this may sometimes cause issues with frequent urination, poor urinary flow, sexual dysfunction, and more. When it interferes with urinary function, this is a problem that should not be ignored as this can also affect the kidneys and even block the ability to urinate completely. A mother's love might also inspire you to stop ignoring the problem and face it head on. To our mothers who taught us to stay healthy, to our mothers who care for us, and to our mothers who also support and spread BPH awareness, we thank you for your undying love and hard work! We hope your sons and husbands will make you proud and address their BPH! 

May is Better Sleep Month (Including for Men with BPH)!

How has the first week of May been for you? Did you know that May is Better Sleep Month? This means that men who suffer from frequent urination due to prostate enlargement (BPH) are getting up many times a night and not getting a good night's sleep. That's why among the people who are experiencing poor sleep, we want to keep putting the spotlight on men with BPH this Better Sleep Month. We hope that men around the world who have BPH can also re-experience a good night's rest. To men with BPH: are you sleeping well? If not, do you miss sleeping well? A good night's rest could start with being more proactive about caring for your prostate enlargement, fellas! Share our blog for more BPH content!