Team Tuesday: Defeating BPH as a Team!

July is Parks and Recreation Month, and Tuesday is designated as Team Tuesday! Just as parks have a team of people responsible for keeping it safe and clean for visitors, so too can we make overcoming BPH a team effort. For those who may not know, BPH is short for benign prostatic hyperplasia. That is the medical term for prostate enlargement. Prostate enlargement is a common condition in older men where the prostate's growth in size squeezes the urethra, making it too narrow for urine to flow out smoothly. At the same time, large prostate pushes against the bladder and can create the sensation of urinary urges. Imagine the frustration of frequent urinary urges but having a slow urinary stream at the same time. These uncomfortable urinary systems are what many older men deal with when they develop BPH in older age. 

How can a team effort help men? Well, having the public, including family and friends, learn more about BPH can better prepare them to offer support. In other words, it starts with awareness. Men with BPH and the people who care about them can also hold men accountable when it comes to health visits and BPH symptom management (management for mild BPH may include healthy lifestyle habits like eating healthy and physical activity). For example, some senior buddies can get together and go to the park for a walk, a jog, or some recreational activity. Of course, it is important to maintain social distancing, wear a face covering, and maintain good hygiene practices if we go to local parks that are open at this time. 

BPH support groups may also exist to offer emotional and word of mouth support, discussing personal experience, tips that worked for them individually, and more. 

This Team Tuesday, be part of Team Relief from BPH! Safely visit your parks and offer support to men with BPH!