“50% of men in India will have an enlarged prostate by the age of 60”

We often see our grandparents or elderly parents struggling with health problems, which they ignore as “just part of old age”. But is that really all there is? Take, for example, the frequent urge to urinate – 1 in 3 elderly people commonly suffer from this. You may have noticed that your grandfather has been making more trips to the bathroom lately. While this may seem like a harmless habit, did you know that it could be an early sign of an illness? enlarged prostate,
What is an Enlarged Prostate?
An enlarged prostate is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia ,BPH), occurs when the prostate gland in the male reproductive system becomes larger than normal. It affects about 50% of men ages 51 to 60 and 90% of men over 80. The prostate surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. As the prostate grows, it can put pressure on the bladder, compress the urethra, and weaken the bladder muscle, affecting urination. This can make it difficult to urinate or cause difficulty urinating because the enlarged prostate can partially block the flow of urine from the bladder.
Reason: Neglect can harm your healthy prostate
Prostate enlargement is so common that it is almost inevitable if men live long enough. However, awareness of the factors that contribute to this condition can make a huge difference. Understanding what makes older men more susceptible can help take steps to manage or even prevent it. So, let’s find out what you need to know to keep your prostate healthy.
● Obesity: Obesity is very common among men in India, with 26 million men being obese. However, very few know that it can harm the health of their prostate. Obesity starts a chain reaction in the body, leading to problems like increased intra-abdominal pressure, hormone imbalances, increased nervous system activity, inflammation and oxidative stress. All these factors together create the perfect conditions for developing BPH.
● Anxiety: Anxiety and BPH are more connected than you might think. When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol, which can trigger inflammation in your prostate and other areas. This inflammation can lead to or worsen BPH. In India, a staggering 82% of men experience moderate to severe stress, putting them at a higher risk of developing an enlarged prostate.
● Sedentary lifestyle: In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get addicted to the convenience of doorstep services and desk jobs, often at the expense of our health. Due to busy schedules, many of us don’t prioritise eating healthy or staying active. But here’s the problem – this sedentary lifestyle can take a toll on your health Prostate HealthDid you know that men who walk just 2 to 3 hours a week can reduce their risk of BPH by 25%? Being active isn’t just good for your overall health; it’s also important for your reproductive health.

Preventive measures: easier than you think
Taking care of your prostate may be easier than you think. Start by adding more fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats to your diet. Adding foods like berries, broccoli, citrus, nuts, and turmeric can make a difference. A poor diet can worsen your BPH, so if you’re dealing with BPH, try to reduce your intake of processed foods, sugars, and too many carbohydrates. Also, limit alcohol, red meat, dairy, and caffeine. Regular physical activity can improve overall health and potentially reduce your risk of an enlarged prostate. It’s also important to keep your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels under control.
Treatment options for enlarged prostate that you may not know about
You may think that surgery is the only way to treat BPH. However, you can get treatment without having to make serious cuts on your body or spend a week in the hospital.
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive treatment for an enlarged prostate without surgery or general anesthesia. PAE is performed by an interventional radiologist (IR), who inserts a small tube (catheter) through a blood vessel at the top of the thigh (or wrist). X-rays help the IR guide the tube into the blood vessels that feed the prostate. Next, the IR injects tiny beads through the tube. The beads reduce the prostate’s blood supply, causing it to shrink. This reduces pressure on the urethra and relieves difficulty urinating.
Medications: For many men, medications are the first line of treatment for an enlarged prostate. Consult a specialist doctor who will give you further assistance in this regard.
Laser therapy: Another option involves using a high-energy laser to remove excess prostate tissue. Laser therapy may lead to less bleeding and a faster recovery than other surgical methods.
Surgery: Surgery may be necessary for men with severe symptoms or those who do not respond to other treatments. Although effective, this option usually requires a long recovery period and is usually only considered when other treatments have not worked.
(Dr. Karthik Damodaran, Director, Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, MIOT International)